Press Releases

Evelyn’s Success Story

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and as an agency in the San Fernando Valley, we recognize the impact we have in our communities and are aware of the effects this may have on the victim. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), “domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, […]

Family Preservation Success Story

The Lopez family was referred through the Family Preservation Program on June 28, 2019. The family unit is comprised of Mrs. Lopez, Mr. Lopez, and two young children. The DCFS case was opened due to parents engaging in domestic violence in the presence of the children. They were initially referred by their Children’s Social Worker […]

How Therapy Helped the Rivera Family Overcome Trauma

The Rivera family was referred to El Centro De Amistad by a School Social Worker and began treatment with therapist Marianna Navarro, Associate Social Worker, in March of 2019. The family was composed of mother, father, and four children. The child client was seven years old when he entered treatment under El Centro de Amistad’s […]

Once A Timid Teenager Now Dreams of Becoming a Hollywood Actress

In July 2018, 13-year-old Blanca was referred to El Centro De Amistad by her primary care physician. This led them to El Centro de Amistad in Canoga Park, where Blanca was assigned to Mental Health Clinician Stacey Gaitan. As they completed the assessment process, Blanca’s mother reported noticing that over the past year, Blanca had […]

Relative Home Assessment Services Program Success Story

In November of 2019, Ms. Taleghani was referred to the Relative Home Assessment Services (RHAS) program through the Resource Family Approval (RFA) program here at El Centro De Amistad. The case was assigned to El Centro de Amistad’s RHAS Paraprofessional Abigail Olivares. When Ms. Taleghani was introduced to the services, she was very hesitant about […]

How Renata Is Now Able to Manage Her Depression and Anxiety Through Therapy

Renata is a 31-year-old female self-referred to treatment due to experiencing various depressive symptoms and behaviors, high levels of anxiety, and overwhelming guilt related to her son’s Autism diagnosis. These symptoms and behaviors have significantly impacted her functioning in the home and the community.Throughout treatment, Renata has been working closely with her therapist Lilia Tejeda-Frias, […]

EL CENTRO DE AMISTAD (ECDA) 2020-21 BOARD OFFICERS INSTALLED

Canoga Park, CA – On July 22, 2020, El Centro de Amistad (ECDA) installed their 2020-21 Board of Directors. The inauguration of the agency’s Board President-Danitza Pantoja, Vice President-David Moreno, Treasurer-Doug Barnett, Secretary-Charlene Gramling, and Sargent at Arms-Justin Grooms was officiated by ECDA donor and supporter-Mark Ozzello.ECDA’s new Board President, Danitza Pantoja, Psy.D., is currently […]