As part of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, El Centro de Amistad (ECDA) is offering San Fernando’s Community program to promote mental wellness during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

To stay connected with its clients during social distancing restrictions, the ECDA has transitioned to telehealth services and is providing virtual support groups to the community. These services enable the agency to stay in touch with its clients while also offering support to the community at no cost.

“Being mentally healthy is important and a priority. The stressors of decreased income and being confined to our homes has increased the possibilities of mental illness, specifically depression and anxiety,” said Tamika Farr, executive director of El Centro de Amistad.

“It is crucial to have healthy coping skills in times of crisis. Mental health is vital and essential in maintaining a balanced life especially in these unprecedented times, in our efforts to provide emotional support and a healthy social outlet during this trying time, ECDA is now offering virtual support groups to the community.” 

The following virtual support groups are being offered for community members and are free of charge:

COVID-19 Virtual Support Groups & Family Activities 

This virtual support group provides support and tips on how to stay safe during COVID-19, teaches coping strategies and relaxation tips to help overcome stressors, and provides parents with learning activities to do with their children. Presented by: Daisy Rosales, MA., LMFT ECDA Family Preservation Clinical Supervisor

Every Friday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Via Zoom:

Meeting ID: 986-5172-4845

Meeting Password: 593203

For more information please call Daisy Rosales (818) 593-4246 ext. 324 

Making Parenting a Pleasure Virtual Support Group

This support group bring parents together virtually to help parents manage difficult behaviors at home and provides self-care and stress relief tips to help parents unwind. This group is instructed in both English and Spanish and provides parents with “parenting tool-box tips.” The class is instructed by ECDA, Mental Health Clinician Maira Lopez.  

Every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Via Zoom:

Meeting ID: 932-1096-3273

Meeting Password: 494834

For more information please call Maira Lopez (818) 898-0223 ext. 115

Virtual Wellness Yoga for All

Bring your yoga mat and join El Centro de Amistad yoga instructor and Mental Health Clinician, Tennya Smith for gentle stretches and breathing techniques to promote calmness and flexibility. Inclusive yoga for all ages, abilities, and experience. 

Wednesday, May 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. 

Via Zoom:

Meeting ID: 425-346-9735

Meeting Password: 106924

Throughout its 40 years in this community, El Centro de Amistad has served more than 100,000 individuals, empowering the lives of children, families and individuals. Its multilingual and cross-cultural staff has served 1,500 children, adults and families annually.

If you are interested in learning more about El Centro de Amistad and its three clinics, two in Canoga Park and one in San Fernando, call (818) 347-8565 or (818) 898-0223, respectively. You can also visit www.elcentrodeamistad.org.