GUIDANCE CENTER

Results: The Guidance Center has helped many underserved children, teens and families. Some of are success stories feature once clients Maria, Tom and Laura. Nine-year-old Maria lost both of her parents in a horrible traffic accident. She came to The Guidance Center, suffering from severe depression, low-self esteem and a broken heart. She once lost all hope but now, two years later, she is able to laugh and smile again. Once a lively, energetic little boy, Tom had become angry and withdrawn. He talked about hurting himself. His mother, a single parent, heard his cries for help and brought him to The Guidance Center, where he received the care he needed. Now, Tom is a happy expressive teenager who enjoys playing high-school soccer and looks forward to Friday night pizza with his mom and little sister. Laura saw her boyfriend gunned down right in front of her house – a victim of gang violence. Laura was devastated. She had nightmares, difficulty sleeping and concentrating in school and avoided her friends. Laura suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and she turned to The Guidance Center for support. While she still mourns her loss, Laura feels better about herself and has regained a sense of control over her life.

Target demographics: provide comprehensive mental health treatment to our community’s most disadvantaged children and their families struggling with mental illness and abuse, leading them toward a positive and productive future.

Direct beneficiaries per year: 2,845 underserved children, teens and families

Geographic areas served: in the city of Long Beach

Programs: •comprehensive mental health treatment such as individual, group and family therapy, crisis intervention, case management, and community education/outreach •intensive mental health treatment in Long Beach for children and families who require more than is provided in a traditional clinic setting •school based services at more than 40 schools within the Long Beach Unified and Paramount School Districts •smaller clinics in Compton and San Pedro as well as satellite services on Catalina Island, where we are the only service provider available to children •organized professional training programs in the disciplines of clinical social work, predoctoral psychology and marriage and family therapy