Press Releases

El Centro de Amistad Receives Grant from the S. Mark Taper Foundation

Contact: Marisol Barrios, APR Cell: 310-713-8567 Marisol@missiondrivenpr.com El Centro de Amistad Receives $50,000 Grant from the S. Mark Taper Foundation SAN FERNANDO, CA, January 31, 2020 –El Centro de Amistad (ECDA), a San Fernando mental health agency, received a $50,000 grant from S. Mark Taper Foundation, which is a private family foundation dedicated to enhancing […]

Paying it forward one clothing item at a time

While serving as the receptionist at one of El Centro de Amistad’s sites, Elizabeth Alvarado would overhear clients remembering when we distributed gently used clothing for families in need. Elizabeth thought how she wanted to give back to the community, remembering how her family was a beneficiary of clothing donations in Mexico. “My mom used […]

Understanding risks and ensuring prevention works

Finding the right board members can be a risky undertaking. We’ve been fortunate to welcome amazing and insightful individuals onto our board, and Justin Jamar Grooms is no exception to this rule. Justin, who serves as a business consultant for Gaspar Insurance Services, understands the risks associated with running a business, both in the for-profit […]

Please Help Us Empower Those In Need!

Dear ECDA Friends, Los Angeles County has extended the “Safe at Home” order until May 15, 2020. El Centro de Amistad will continue to support our clients virtually to ensure the safety of all involved until the order is lifted. Our Agency understands the importance of continuing to deliver quality services, even with social distancing […]

Please Help Us Empower Those in Need

In these unprecedented times, we’re deeply concerned about COVID-19 and its devastating impact on the lives of many. Our clients and families need us now more than ever as they experience increased levels of depression and anxiety while coping with isolation and financial hardships. After several weeks of operating in a new normal through the […]

The Call That Changed Her Life

With a full time job and living in a stable home with her two children and her father Adriana Lopez Carrillo feels grateful for what she has and doesn’t take it for granted.Yet it wasn’t always like this for Adriana. In January 2018, without a job, stable home, and adequate transportation, Adriana felt overwhelmed. During […]

How One Team’s Ambition Serves Everyone

Committed. Ambitious. Awesome. Are three words that come to the mind of El Centro de Amistad’s Human Resources (HR) team members: HR Manager Elizabeth Diaz, HR Assistant Denise Guillen, and Administrative Assistant Anna Belle Guillen. The consensus: As a team, they encourage and help each other. And this agreement extends to the entire workforce, who […]

While We Have Much This Season, Others Don’t

While most of us experience tradition, family, and love during the holidays through the season’s festivities like traditional holiday music, décor and time-tested favorite meals, others do not. While we gather as a family around the dining table, grateful for the blessings throughout the year or for the support to overcome unexpected surprises, others can’t. […]

Seeking collaborations for preventive care

Ismael Aguila, director of Community Health and Partnerships for Providence Health and Services, started his tenure as an El Centro de Amistad board member two years ago and promptly rose to leadership positions. In July he was sworn in as the agency’s board president at its board of directors installation dinner. Ismael first learned about […]

Changing the course for many families

Experts in career planning say individuals change their careers three to seven times in a lifetime. Sandra Pena, 51, is on her way to meet the minimum career changes. Currently, she is employed at El Centro de Amistad as an associate marriage family therapist, who provides mental health services to children, youth, individuals, and families. […]