The Guidance Center

ABOUT THE GUIDANCE CENTER 

Our agency is comprised of over 180 mental health professionals, support staff, interns, and administrators who serve nearly 3,000 disadvantaged children and families annually.  

The Guidance Center (TGC) offers a broad array of programs, including comprehensive services in the clinic, in the field, and in over 20 schools in the Long Beach Unified School District. Our services include clinic and field-based therapy; school-based therapy; family preservation; psychological testing; ages 0-5 specialized treatment; trauma-informed community-based prevention and early intervention; & training. 

BRIDGING THE GAPS 

We are ecstatic to share that through an incredibly generous lead gift, The Guidance Center is building a Family Resource Center (FRC) at our Long Beach headquarters. 

Through this initiative, we aim to bridge the gap between wellness and specialty mental health services, providing vital linkages to basic needs and resources. Funds raised will benefit the FRC. 

WHY NOW? 

The Guidance Center is a proponent of positive change within our community. By identifying four areas of need, we strive to create a comprehensive resource hub for both our current clients and families within the community. The FRC will provide a wide range of resources and services, including: 

1) Parenting Support 

• Workshops and classes for caregivers to enhance their parenting skills and foster healthy family dynamics. 
• For example, this could include educational workshops centered on topics like the importance of positive discipline, effective communication and wellness. 

2) Health and Nutrition Services 

• Information on nutrition and its impact on mental health. 
• Access to healthcare resources to promote overall family well-being. 

 3) Social Services Referral

• Linkages to social services, housing and other resources through Enhanced Care Management, in partnership with managed care providers.    

4) Emergency Assistance  

• Case Management and linkages to supportive resources that address basic needs like food, clothing and shelter during times of crisis.    

BREAKING BARRIERS TO ACCESS 

As we know all too well, our community faces a multitude of barriers and inequities. These barriers and inequities often have a large and tangible impact on one’s mental health and wellbeing. For example, a family living in poverty may not have access to nutritious food or to financial literacy programs. The day-to-day stress of being unable to meet their basic needs can lead to feelings of anxiousness and depression. 

Many factors are interconnected. To help overcome these barriers, The Guidance Center aims to expand our programs and services. 

Taking a look at the data: 

Per the 2023 Los Angeles County Health Survey:

• 18.1% of adults in Long Beach reported rarely/never receiving the social or emotional support they need.
• “Black households were observed to be disproportionately impacted; almost two-thirds of Black households (65.4%) reported being housing burdened in 2023, compared to less than half of White (42.8%) and Asian (43.1%) households.”  
• “In 2023, over a third of Latinx adults (35.8%) reported living in households experiencing food insecurity, defined as the inability to reliably afford or access sufficient quantities of food; the Latinx rate was similar to the rate reported by Black adults (35.2%) but significantly higher than the rates reported by White adults (14.0%) and Asian adults (15.9%).”  
• “Almost half (49.5%) of children in poverty were found to live in food insecure households in 2023, and almost a third (30.8%) were reported to live in communities that were rated as having fair or poor access to fresh fruits and vegetables.”  

EMPOWERING OUR FAMILIES  

HOW YOU CAN HELP - MAKE A DONATION TODAY 

Every gift makes a difference - no matter the size. 

Let's set an example for those around us. Pledge your support today to create a brighter future for tomorrow. Change begins with us. 

TESTIMONIALS 

Here are a few quotes about our work and impact directly from our clients: 

• “The validation and space to process feelings and understand his emotions around family relationship dynamics helped ease my son's anxiety. Offering new coping skills helped greatly.”
• “The session and resources provided have been very helpful to my son and family. It has helped us understand our situation and how to manage. We are very grateful for The Guidance Center.”
• “Everyone here is amazing and helpful. All of my questions and concerns are always addressed. I feel welcomed and cared for.”

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