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SPIRITT's

Insider Scoop

May 2024

May is Mental Health Awareness Month:

Finding Strength in Community

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an opportunity to support millions of individuals battling mental health conditions and destigmatize conversations pertaining to mental illness. Engaging in self-care is essential for maintaining good mental health as it equips you to better navigate through stressful and challenging times. While the ways in which individuals practice self-care may vary, they all share a common goal: to improve mental well-being. Self care has been clinically proven to reduce or eliminate anxiety and depression, alleviate stress, enhance happiness, and provide numerous other benefits. To get you started on your self-care routine, we've provided you with a few ideas:

Learn a new hobby or skill
Start a gratitude journal
Spend time outdoors
Eat well
Get more sleep
And most importantly: be kind to your mind!

If you would like to learn more about 10 common warning signs of Mental Health conditions, watch this video by National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI. Remember, help is always available through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which operates 24/7.

Additionally, SPIRITT also serves as a great resource for the community and offers integrated behavioral health programs for individuals of all ages struggling with mental health challenges. Our services extend beyond treatment to include educational programs, and social connection activities designed to combat isolation and foster a sense of community.

For more information on SPIRITT's mental health services, call us today at 855-714-8800.

You are not alone in this journey towards mental wellness.

Día del Niño Celebrations

El Día del Niño (Children's Day) is celebrated in several Latin American countries and beyond, and it is a day to recognize and appreciate the importance of children in our society to promote wellness, health, education, and fun memories.

Last month, in observance of El Día del Niño, and in collaboration with Human Services Association, Arts Bell Gardens, Empoderando Familias and the City of Bell Gardens, SPIRITT hosted a celebration at Veterans Park in the City of Bell Gardens where children were able to engage in painting, kite and piñata making, story time and much more. Also on Saturday, April 29th, SPIRITT's South El Monte Family Center hosted another Día del Niño event where children and their families enjoyed delicious food, interactive games, arts and crafts, face painting, raffles, entertainment and much more. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners, staff, and volunteers and the 129 families who participated in this event and recognizing the importance of play and love.

CHOICES Youth Conference:

"Choices Shape our Future"

Last month on April 12th, in collaboration with Rio Hondo College, Hispanic Outreach Taskforce, and SPA 7 Child Abuse Council, SPIRITT hosted the 2024 CHOICES Youth Conference: "Choices Shape our Future." Where 124 male middle school students from local schools attended.

The conference's goal was to empower young men to make positive life choices while cultivating self-belief, including healthy relationships, increase self-esteem and emotional wellbeing, and safer communities. The day-long conference included powerful speakers and students were able to attend workshops related to cyber security, engineering, science, music, automotive, and podcasting.

A special thanks to Dr. Ramiro Rubalcaba, the Superintendent of Los Nietos School District, for delivering an incredibly inspiring keynote speech on the significance of making positive life choices. Dr. Rubalcaba's message was a powerful reminder that the choices we make can have a profound impact on our lives and the lives of those around us. We are grateful for his valuable insights and the time he took to share them with us.

SPIRITT's Director of Programs, Norma Yoguez Recognized with the 2024 Las Distinguidas Award

(Pictured above left to right Martha Velasquez, Norma Yoguez, Elvia Torres, & Perla Pelayo)

This month, the American Association of University Women, AAUW, honored SPIRITT's Director of Programs, Norma Yoguez, with the prestigious Las Distinguidas Award for her exceptional contributions to the Whittier Community.

With 22 years of dedicated service at SPIRITT, Ms. Yoguez has skillfully managed vital programs ranging from child abuse prevention to community engagement, leaving a lasting impact on areas like Bell Gardens, Whittier, South El Monte, and beyond.

Her unwavering commitment and wealth of knowledge have been invaluable assets to the growth and development of these communities. SPIRITT is truly grateful for her outstanding leadership and unwavering dedication.

SPIRITT's Be Kind to Your Mind

Crowdfunding Campaign

We are thrilled to express our deepest gratitude to all our Be Kind to Your Mind crowdfunding sponsors and ambassadors, who have supported our mission to empower families, improve health and well-being, and strengthen communities.

Your generosity has helped us reach our $20,000 dollar goal.

Crowdfunding involves reaching out to many people, typically through online platforms and asking them to contribute towards the campaign goal.

Here's how you can get involved:

Become SPIRITT's Crowdfunding Sponsor click here to learn more about our sponsorship opportunities.

Be SPIRITT's Crowdfunding Ambassador-if you would like to help fundraise on our behalf, create your own page here, set your own fundraising goal, send to all your friends and family, and ask them to support your cause! It's that simple-no more than 5 minutes to get started.

Donate Now! Click on the donate now button below and join the movement today!

Spread the Word. Share our campaign website (www.spiritt.org/bekindtoyourmind) with your friends, family, and network.

For more information, please contact Brenda Olivas at (562)783-9160 or brendao@spiritt.org.

Upcoming Community Events & Programs

Domestic Violence Support Groups

Grupos de Apoyo Contra la Violencia Domestica

SPIRITT is hosting Domestic Violence Support Groups at our Whittier Family Center (English) and our Bell Gardens Family Center (Spanish). Our groups provide a safe and inclusive space where you can begin your healing journey while connecting with other survivors of intimate partner violence.

SPIRITT organiza grupos de apoyo contra la violencia doméstica en nuestro Centro Familiar Whittier en inglés y nuestro Centro Familiar Bell Gardens en español. Nuestros grupos brindan un espacio seguro e inclusivo donde puede conectarse con otros sobrevivientes de violencia domestica.

English Group

Date: Every Monday

Time: 5:30pm-7:00pm

Place: Whittier Family Center (8000 Painter Ave. Whittier CA. 90602)

Grupo en Español

Fecha: Cada miércoles

Horario: 5:30pm-7:00pm

Ubicacón: Bell Gardens Family Center (7208 Garfield Ave. Bell Gardens CA. 90201

Whittier (562) 903-7000

Bell Gardens(323) 407-8011

Dance Therapy (Beginning 04/07)

Join SPIRITT for free dance therapy classes all month long at our Whittier Family Center. Every Tuesday.

Unase a SPIRITT para clases gratuitas de bailoterapia todo el mes en nuestro Whittier Family Center. Todos los martes.

Date/Fecha: Tuesday/ miércoles

Time/Horario: 9:00am-10:00am

Place/Ubicacón: Whittier Family Center (8000 Painter Ave, Whittier CA. 90602)

Ayurveda Services / Servicios de Ayurveda

In partnership with SCU of Health Sciences, SPIRITT continues to offer free ayurveda services at our Whittier and Bell Gardens Family Center. Services include, screenings and consultations for pain management, digestive issues, nutritional education, and more!

En asociación con SCU of Health Sciences, SPIRITT continúa ofreciendo servicios de ayurveda gratuitos en nuestro Centro Familiar Whittier y Bell Gardens. ¡Los servicios incluyen exámenes y consultas para el manejo del dolor, problemas digestivos, educación nutrio y más!

Location /Ubicacón: Whittier Family Center,

8000 Painter Ave. Whittier CA 90602

Date/Fecha: May 13, 2024

Time/Horario: 8:00am-12:00pm

Location /Ubicacón: Bell Gardens Family Center,

7208 Garfield Ave. Bell Gardens CA 90201

Date/Fecha: May 15, 2024

Time/Horario: 8:00am-12:00pm

Make an appointment Today / Haga Una Cita Hoy:

Whittier: 562-903-7000

Bell Gardens: 323-407-8011

Self Defense Workshops for Adults (Fridays)

Talleres de Defensa Personal para Adultos (viernes)

Join SPIRITT for free adult self-defense worships at our Whittier Family Center. Every Friday until May 17, 2024.

Unase a SPIRITT para recibir talleres gratuitos de autodefensa para adultos en nuestro Whittier Family Center. Todos los viernes hasta el 17 de mayo de 2024.

Date/Time: Fridays/viernes

Time/ Horario: 10:00am-11:30am

Location/Ubicacón: 8000 Painter Ave, Whitter, CA 90602

Healing Hands for Humanity: Free Acupuncture & Chiropractic Care!

In collaboration with SCU of Health Sciences SPIRITT is hosting free acupuncture & chiropractic care services at our Whittier Family Center.

En colaboración con SCU of Health Sciences, SPIRITT ofrece servicios gratuitos de acupuntura y atención quiropráctica en nuestro Whittier Family Center.

Date/Fecha: May 19, 2024

Time/ Horario: 10:00am-11:30am

Location/Ubicacón : Whittier Family Center, (8000 Painter Ave. Whittier, CA 9062)

Fatherhood Support Groups (Ongoing)

Calling all father figures! Join SPIRITT's Fatherhood support group and cultivate healthy parenting relationships, strengthen bonds with your children, and engage in resource sharing with fellow fathers. Support groups are held via Zoom, at our South El Monte Family Center, and Bell Gardens Family Center.

Llamando a todos los papas! Unase al grupo de apoyo a la paternidad de SPIRITT y cultive relaciones de crianza saludables, fortalezca los vinculos con sus hijos y participe en el intercambio de recursos con otros padres. Los grupos de apoyo se llevan a cabo a traves de zoom, en nuestro Centro Familiar de South El Monte y en el Centro de Bell Gardens.

Zoom(English only/Solo Ingles)

Date: Thursdays

Time: 6:30pm-8:00pm

South El Monte Family Center

Date: Fridays / Viernes

Time/Horario: 6:30pm-8:00pm

Place/Ubicacón: 2000 Tyler Ave, South El Monte CA 91733

Bell Gardens Family Center

Date: Thursday / Jueves

Time/Horario: 6:00pm-7:30pm

Place/Ubicacón: Hybrid / Hibrido (7208 Garfield Ave, Bell Gardens, CA. 90201 )

Make A Positive Impact!

As our community's needs evolve, SPIRITT remains committed to providing quality mental and emotional health programs to children and their families. Your gift helps make it possible.

Donate Today