Throughout May, teams across the Los Angeles / South Coast and Inland Empire regions came together to honor Mental Health Awareness Month through events centered on education, connections and community care. From resource fairs and wellness walks to creative showcases and regional gatherings, every event spotlighted the importance of mental well-being for our clients, communities and one another.
The month kicked off at our Santa Fe Springs location with a vibrant wellness and resource fair hosted by adult program teams in partnership with local organizations. The celebration featured powerful graduation stories of recovery, a catered lunch, crafts, raffle prizes and more. Later in the month, the children and TAY (transitional-age youth) teams held their event, bringing youthful energy and creativity to the end of the month.
Employees from sites across the region — including Portals, El Camino, La Via, Irwindale, Arroyo and Glendora — braved LA traffic and early summer heat to participate in NAMIWalks. Joined by family members, friends and fellow advocates, they walked in solidarity to raise awareness and break the stigma surrounding mental health.
Additionally, the Asian Pacific Family Center (APFC) hosted a series of unique events to recognize AAPI Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month. Highlights included a stage play exploring the intersection of Asian American immigration and mental health, a cooking contest and an expressive art showcase where clients shared original works reflecting their journeys and resilience.
“Our employees brought such heart to every event,” said Shawn M. Caracoza, chief operations officer. “Seeing the creativity and compassion that make our work so impactful was incredible.”
In the Inland Empire Region, the spirit of celebration continued with the annual Wellness Day at Yucaipa Regional Community Center. The day featured a leadership meet-and-greet with a Q&A session, employee recognition awards, and a relaxing afternoon picnic, giving employees a chance to recharge, reflect and connect.
Mental Health Awareness Month reminded us that wellness is a collective journey — and our teams showed up with heart, creativity and dedication every step of the way.
