My name is Tondalia and when I was a little girl, I always knew I wanted to help people. If telling my story about how Children’s Institute changed my life helps more parents get the support they need, I will have accomplished a lifelong dream.
I went through some really challenging times as a kid and my past traumas had created a lot of anger within me. After starting therapy at 11 years old, I went from a shut-down teen to someone who understood that it was okay to seek help, to release emotions and to express myself in healthier ways.
So when my daughter started struggling with substance use, I dedicated the next 17 years of my life to fighting for my four grandchildren and making sure they had the love and care they needed to heal. I reached out to my old therapist for help and she connected me to Children’s Institute.
When I first called Children’s Institute, it just so happened that a gentleman named Carl, who had helped my eldest grandson when he first went into foster care, answered the phone. I knew then that this was the right place for my family. All four grandchildren received services from Children’s Institute and so did I.
Children’s Institute is a safe place for me. From the receptionist at the front desk, my therapist to the staff linking me to additional resources such as transportation and utility bill payment assistance, the whole experience has put me at ease. All my life, I have been responsible for taking care of others. Children’s Institute was here to take care of me.
I now have the mental space to think about my future and how I would like to pursue a career where I can help other parents understand the power of therapy.
When my grandchildren first started counseling, they were closed up, like rose petals when you can’t see inside. Now they have blossomed into the young people they deserve to be because they have the resources they need to thrive. I’m proud of the progress we’ve all made and the opportunity to grow together.
Please consider giving a generous gift to Children’s Institute this holiday season, so that more families like mine can get the support they need to flourish.
For more than 100 years, Children’s Institute (CII) has been dedicated to supporting Los Angeles children, families and communities in achieving lifelong health through emotional well-being, educational success, and economic mobility. Our mission focuses on ensuring the safety, dignity and empowerment of marginalized communities across the County – so all children, families and community members can realize their full potential and achieve their dreams.
CII remains committed to partnering with our communities to develop solutions that address the social, health and economic challenges they face to build a more equitable society. Together, we rise to meet the challenges of today to create a better tomorrow.
Please review the information below if you are looking for support or information on any of the issues highlighted. If you would like to contact a member of our team directly, please contact our Family Engagement partners at 213-385-5100.
“Get to Know Your Reporter” is a series of interviews we’re having with journalists covering topics that are both timely and relevant to our audiences. Our aim is to advocate for and highlight the issues & policies that affect the children and families we serve, and one way is by providing information directly from experts in the field.
This month, we had the privilege of meeting with Ana B. Ibarra, a health reporter at CalMatters.
Hello Ana and thank you for taking time to meet with us. Let’s start off by getting to know you a little better.
I grew up in the San Gabriel Valley, specifically in Rosemead, California, as the daughter of Mexican and Salvadoran immigrants. My introduction to journalism was in high school, where I joined a class and helped with the school newspaper, The Panther’s Tale. Journalism forced me out of my comfort zone to connect with people I might never have encountered otherwise.Â
Ten years after starting my career, I consider myself lucky to still be a reporter. It’s challenging yet it gives me the opportunity to meet people throughout the community, allowing me to understand the issues that affect us all. I get to speak with those who have the power to make policy and changes, as well as the people impacted by those decisions.
What drives me is my commitment to keeping people informed and making news more accessible. I started my journalism career covering health and I’m still at it today. It’s a field that impacts everyone in one way or another and remains a strong area of interest for me.
I began my journey with the Merced Sun-Star then moved on to Kaiser Health News, part of the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), before landing my current role at CalMatters. I look forward to continuing this work, connecting with people from all walks of life and amplifying the stories that matter.
How has the transition from Sacramento to Los Angeles been for you as a reporter?
I’ve had the opportunity to report from different places across California – from the San Joaquin Valley, Sacramento and now to my hometown of Los Angeles. Each transition has offered unique perspectives and insights. In Sacramento, I covered the Capitol and various government agencies, translating decisions made by leaders and lawmakers into stories that reached the public. My goal was to make these decisions at the top accessible and relevant to the communities they directly impact.
Now I work outside of Sacramento, focusing on issues people deal with in their communities. I’m tracking things from health care concerns to economic challenges that might go unnoticed yet impact everyday lives. Often, these stories bring fresh insight to decision-makers in Sacramento, reinforcing how community-level issues need representation at the state level.
At CalMatters, the heart of what we do is rooted in policy, always keeping a close watch on Sacramento’s decisions. But it’s equally important for us to investigate how these policies play out on the ground and observe how policies impact different cities, from Bakersfield to Los Angeles, highlighting how unique each community’s challenges are.
Ultimately, our reporting is about bridging that gap, showing how policy decisions in Sacramento impact the lives of people across California.
We’ve heard the news & media being affected quite a bit these days. Have you noticed any major trends or changes in the media landscape? And if so, what are you noticing and how are you pivoting?
In my 10 years in journalism, I’ve seen newsrooms, especially local ones, shrink to become skeletons of what they used to be. That means there are fewer eyes and stories coming out of these communities. This challenge has also resulted in more collaboration between newsrooms and reporters. At CalMatters, we partner with many local outlets to expand access to important news across California.
As news consumption evolves, we’re having to adapt too, reaching readers through print, radio, TV, newsletters and even TikTok. At the same time, we’re working to combat misinformation and build trust. This adaptability is essential, as accurate, accessible news is more critical than ever.
Can you share about your recent accomplishments and highlights?
I’ve learned that everyone interacts with the healthcare system in some way, and it can be a very complicated system to navigate. When someone reaches out to say my reporting has helped them or their family, it’s the ultimate compliment and achievement.Â
This year, my health team took on a major project: investigating maternity ward closures across California. It required months of work, from gathering data, conducting interviews, and traveling across the state, including to Imperial County, where we spoke with people affected by these closures. The project was a labor of heart and hard work and we’ve been working on that since last year and up until this year. Here is the investigation that led to Governor Newsom signing a law to create more transparency around maternity ward closures: Gov. Newsom signs law to slow closures.
What a powerful article with so much impact! Thank you for reporting on such critical issues. For our final question, what is a message you’d like to convey with your readers? Do you have any tips on how people can reach the media?
Navigating the healthcare system can be difficult. If you’re struggling to find the information you need, don’t be shy to reach out to journalists. Often the questions you have are shared by others. Readers sometimes contact me for help accessing resources, and even if I don’t have the answer, I can connect them with someone who does. When readers share their questions and concerns, it also helps us understand the areas where the public may need more information.
CalMatters is a nonpartisan and nonprofit news organization bringing Californians stories that probe, explain and explore solutions to quality of life issues while holding our leaders accountable. We are the only journalism outlet dedicated to covering America’s biggest state, 39 million Californians and the world’s fifth largest economy. Our mission is to improve California’s democracy by making its government more transparent and accountable and giving Californians the information they need to understand and engage with that government.
Ana reports from a health fair in Calexico (Imperial County). Photo credit: Adriana Heldiz, CalMatters.
