How Therapy Gave a Teenage Girl Hope

Many of us can remember our middle school experience. For some, it was a time of growth, for others, a time of fun, and for some, middle school was the most challenging experience. That was the case for Samantha. Samantha came to ECDA in 2018 as a young 11-year-old experiencing irritability, sadness, loss of interest, […]

El Centro de Amistad Families Get Help from SoCal Honda Dealers

The pandemic and its challenges added anxiety to an already stressful holiday time for families served by El Centro de Amistad. Fortunately, their Thanksgiving holiday got better with the help from the Helpful Honda guys from the SoCal Honda Dealers and a group of content creators, businesses, and influencers on Instagram. The SoCal Honda Dealers, […]

Christmas Blessings for Adopt-A-Family Recipients

Each year during the holidays, ECDA families, some homeless, from single-parent households, undocumented, or facing family disruption, are identified for our Adopt-A-Family program. This holiday campaign was launched with the support of our Hospitality Committee with the hope of helping diminish holiday stress for some of our most impacted families. Many of our clients struggle […]

Counting Our Blessings

The pandemic has changed the way we conduct business, school, and home matters. While the challenges have been plenty for all of us, I am aware of the role gratitude plays on our mind and how it can reset our moods. According to a Harvard Health Publishing article titled “Giving thanks can make you happier,” […]

A Second Chance at Life

Halfway through 2019, a single and unemployed mom living with her parents and sibling attempted suicide. Gabby found herself hospitalized and unable to address what had occurred. After a few months, she was referred to El Centro de Amistad through the Cal WORKs GAIN Program when she was seeking therapy to address the suicide attempt. […]

Harnessing Social Media for Good

SoCal Influential, a group of local bloggers, businesses, content producers, and influencers on Instagram, are counting their blessings and giving back for Thanksgiving. They are hosting a community drive collaboration to sponsor 75 baskets of non-perishable goods, a family game, and canvas/cookie kits for the kids. They plan to deliver the baskets during Thanksgiving week. […]

Adopt a Family for the Holidays

While last year we may have hosted ugly sweater events, exchanged holiday cookie recipes, or gathered to feast on traditional holiday meals, these holidays with family and friends will look different. Due to the pandemic, we’ll be optimistically cautious and reimagine the holiday festivities. For some families, the holidays may be bleak. High unemployment rates, […]