Podcast Interview with CEO, Elvia Torres & Director of Community Based Programs, Norma Yoguez

Last month CABE Whittier (CABE Facebook) featured SPIRITT’s CEO Elvia Torres, and Director of Community Based Programs, Norma Yoguez, on their bilingual podcast to learn more about SPIRITT’s program, community projects, and upcoming events. Please click here to listen to this stimulating interview.

The California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting bilingual education and quality educational experiences for all students in California. 

LGBTQ+ Parent Conference Recap

Thank you everyone who attended and supported the LGBTQ+ Parent Conference last month. It was a huge success.

Compelling stories were shared by keynote panelists Eder Diaz Santillan who is a Journalist, Public Speaker & creator of the podcast De Pueblo, Catolico y Gay Eder spoke about what it means to be happy and what self love should look like. We also heard from Kiara Delgado, who is a trans woman and advocate for trans people rights. Kiara is a community leader and Health Educator with Bienestar.

Finally Rafael Lopez and Deanna Parvin Yadolahi from Penny Lane Centers, spoke about identifying supportive people to confide in when coming out and Penny Lane services for LGBTQ+ youth.

We want to especially thank PALS, Latino Equality Alliance, partnerships for families, Prevention & Aftercare, Human Services Association, East LA's Women Center, Relative Support Services, Mujeres con Poder, and La County Child Abuse Prevention Councils. We couldn't do it with out your support. To view more pictures from the conference please click here.

July is BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month

Health America's BIPOC Mental Health campaign is all about the power of culture, community and connection for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).

SPIRITT Family Services has been serving the BIPOC community for over 50 years by providing, Integrated Behavioral Health Services, In-home Child and Family Based Services and Community Capacity Building.

Our Family Centers are community hubs where those in need can access resources and support. In 2022, SPIRITT served 15,933 community members across all programming. 74% of all individuals served identified as BIPOC.

Please click here to learn more about SPIRITT's programs and community impact.



BREATHE LA Guaranteed Income Program

We are excited to share that SPIRITT Family Services participated in this year’s BREATHE LA Guaranteed Income Program for Former Foster Youth.

BREATHE LA is an income based program that provides selected participants with a guaranteed monthly income for a certain amount of time. This year BREATHE LA will be selecting 200 former Forster Youth to receive $1000/month for two years. Jackie a former recipient of the program shares her story of adversity, resilience and hope. Jackie's Story.

SPIRITT held workshops last month at all four Family Center locations in Bell Gardens, Pomona, South El Monte and Whittier, for youth needing support with the application process. Once the 200 participants are selected SPIRITT Family Services will assist them through the onboarding process. Please stay tuned next month for more updates.

SPIRITT'S CASINO NIGHT FUNDRAISER

Get ready for an exciting night of fun at SPIRITT's casino night fundraiser. Join us for a roaring 20's theme night filled with games, hors d' oeuvres, music, raffles and excellent company. Take your chance at the poker table, throw the dice at the craps table, or turn the wheel at the roulette table.

Proceeds from the 2023 Casino Night Fundraiser will support the critical range of mental and emotional health programs SPIRITT offers to children and their families.

Date: Friday, September 29, 2023 at 6 p.m.

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Whittier,

7320 Greenleaf Ave., Whittier, CA. 90602

To purchase tickets, sponsor the event, or donate an item for our raffle, please click here or the link below or contact: Brenda Olivas, Community Development Manager, at (562) 783-9160 or email at brendao@spiritt.org

Ayurveda is a natural system of medicine, originated in India more than 3,000 years ago. Ayurveda encourages certain lifestyle interventions and natural therapies to regain a balance between the body, mind, spirit, and the environment. Ayurveda can have positive effects when used as a complementary therapy in combination with standard, conventional medical care.

SPIRITT Family Services will be hosting two free Ayurveda sessions.

First Session:

• Date/Time: August 7, 2023 from 1pm-5pm
• Location: Whittier Family Center, 8000 Painter Ave. Whittier CA. 90602
• To Schedule an appt please call (562) 903-7000

Second Session:

• Date/Time: August 9, 2023 from 8am-12pm
• Location: Bell Gardens Family Center, 7208 Garfield Ave. Bell Gardens CA. 90201.
• To schedule an appt please call (323) 407-8011

Services include screenings, & consultations for pain management, digestive issues, stress relief, nutritional education and more! This can include basic oil massage (head & hands) and natural remedy products. This event is free and open to the public. Please call to make an appointment.

In conjunction with Healing hands for Humanity, SPIRITT Family Services will be hosting a Free Acupuncture & Chiropractic Care clinic.

Healing Hands for Humanity is a humanitarian organization involving student inters, Doctors of Chiropractic and Licensed Acupuncturist from Sothern California University of Health Sciences in Whittier, treating under-served populations.

Services include physical exam, injury rehabilitation, massage therapy and pain management.

• Date/Time: Sunday July 30, 2023 from 12pm-3pm
• Location: Whittier Family Center, 8000 Painter Ave. Whittier CA. 90602
• To schedule an appt please call (562) 903-7000

This event is free and open to the public. Please call to make an appointment.