The Social & Emotional Wellness Initiative will host its spring fundraiser March 14 at the Annenberg Community Beach House to support mental health services for underserved populations.
The event, titled "Spring Into Wellness," will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is sponsored by L.A. Care and Blue Shield Promise Community Resource Center. The organization expects approximately 100 guests to attend.
The fundraiser will feature wellness workshops, movement activities, guest speakers and interactive sessions focused on holistic wellbeing. All proceeds will fund the organization's mental health and wellness programs supporting youth, families and youth-serving professionals across Southern California.
California schools are not required to have mental health workers on site, and many schools and youth-serving organizations rely on partnerships with nonprofits to address youth mental health needs.
Founder and Executive Director Sarah Young-Sheppard, MSW, started the organization 12 years ago after witnessing the gap in mental health services while working at a local Boys & Girls Club.
"Young people wanted to talk and they didn't have anyone with a mental health background to support them," Young-Sheppard said. "We believe that all young people should have the support they need to deal with life challenges, no matter what."
Since its inception, the organization has expanded from direct youth services to include prevention-based programs, parent workshops, youth-serving staff training and Social and Emotional Learning curriculum.
The nonprofit has provided direct mental health support services to more than 7,241 youth and resources and training to more than 7,594 educators and youth development professionals. It has also trained and placed more than 123 Master of Social Work interns at partner organizations to provide clinical mental health support services, group facilitation and crisis intervention.
For more information, visit the event registration page.
Edited by SMDP Staff