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febrero 13, 2015

Unaccompanied Immigrant Minors Receiving Mental Health Services From Mission Neighborhood Health Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Erika Rivas

Development Associate

(415) 552-1013 x 264 /

erikarivas@www.mnhc.org

 

Unaccompanied Immigrant Minors Receiving Mental Health Services From Mission Neighborhood Health Center

San Francisco, CA (Feburay 13, 2015)—In November 2014, Mission Neighborhood Health Center (MNHC), a community clinic in the heart of the mission district, opened its doors to unaccompanied immigrant minors by joining with the Alero Project. The program was launched in November 2014 to provide mental health services to undocumented immigrant minors fleeing horrific violence in parts of Central America.

Brenda Storey, the Executive Director of MNHC is “honored to open the health center’s doors to help our immigrant children feel welcome in the community and receive mental health services from the dedicated clinical team of the Alero Project”

Currently, the program has 17 minors who are receiving mental health counseling with ages ranging from as young as 8 to 19 years old. The program provides services that include assessments and evaluations for any mental health issues, statements and transcriptions for court, psychotherapy, linkage and referrals to other resources, and consultations to those helping children who have experienced trauma.

“Many of the children in the program are dealing with the residual effects of war, family violence, drugs, gang violence, and abuse in detention,” explained Manuel Arredondo, the coordinator and founder of the program.

Although the program had to launch fairly quickly due to the unexpected surge of unaccompanied minors, it has been successful in helping children and their families cope. “The Alero Project is about the kids, and how we need to alleviate their suffering. We are figuring it out as we go, but it is possible to deliver mental health services under these circumstances,” said Manuel.

The Alero Project is receiving referrals on an ongoing basis.

If you want to help the Alero Project team, are in need of a consult, or know someone who may benefit from these services, please contact

Manuel Arredondo, LCSW

aleroproject@gmail.com

(415) 471 6175

 

About Mission Neighborhood Health Center

Since 1967, Mission Neighborhood Health Center has provided culturally competent, comprehensive quality care to the underserved Latino immigrant communities in the eastern part of San Francisco (e.g. Mission, Bayview, Tenderloin and Excelsior area) and northern San Mateo County. In 2013 MNHC provided primary care to over 12,000 children, adolescents, families, and adults in the community.

Visit our website at https://www.mnhc.org/ for more information about our health services and community programs.

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