Ways You Can Help

Join us at our Community Mental Health Day on May 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at San Fernando Regional Pool 2nd floor Banquet Room, 300 Park Ave. in San Fernando. Consider donating to help individuals living with mental illness enjoy self-care activities, receive proper nutrition, and learn about financial literacy. For a $15 […]

Removing Barriers to Employment

It’s not easy wearing different hats every day yet Nicole Salazar, a CalWORKs employment specialist at El Centro de Amistad, manages her accessories well. Her role in this program is to meet with clients and help them progress toward their employment and educational goals. Nicole accomplishes this by removing mental health barriers in order for […]

Reporting Progress in Mental Health for Tens of Thousands of Residents

Tens of thousands of Los Angeles County residents have experienced significant improvements in mental health and wellbeing—including measurable reductions in homelessness and gains in employment—as a direct result of California’s Mental Health Services Act, according to a new RAND Corporation study. The report, commissioned by Los Angeles County, is the first extensive, independent analysis of […]

How Getting Lost and Hitting Rock Bottom Turned her Life Around

Alexandra Patricia Ramos, known as Patty, hit rock bottom before she sought out help. During Patty’s childhood, her parents’ marital problems would eventually lead her mother to leave her husband due to infidelity. Patty from an early age was also exposed to alcohol abuse as her father was an alcoholic. She began using alcohol as a young teenager due […]

Home is Where the Heart is..

On January 24 El Centro de Amistad’s (ECDA) board of directors welcomed two new board members, Danitza Pantoja and Ismael Aguila. Born and raised in San Fernando Valley, both members share a love of the community. Danitza Pantoja School psychologist Danitza is no stranger to El Centro de Amistad. Having been appointed as a commissioner […]

A Just Cause

The legal system can be challenging to navigate. Fortunately, El Centro de Amistad clients have a place to go to help them. Longtime supporter of our organization, Mark Ozzello, attorney at Markun Zusman Freniere & Compton LLP, volunteers several hours a month at a legal clinic the firm set up in partnership with El Centro […]

How disrupting basic health care will jeopardize lives

According to Mental Health America’s website, the House and Senate Health Committees had passed bills reauthorizing Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the primary health insurance for pregnant women and children whose income disqualifies them from Medicaid insurance. But, neither chamber acted to vote on the bills before the expiration of CHIP at the end of […]