Dear CII Family,

At CII, our programs have been designed to address the long-term effects of inter-generational trauma stemming from poverty, prejudice and violence here in Los Angeles.

Children in Ukraine have lived under the threat of war for more than eight years—most of their lives—while their parents lived through the young country’s fight for independence. Right now, children are caught in the middle of armed conflict; many have been separated from their parents and caregivers; damaged infrastructure threatens access to food, water and shelter; and activities that once brought comfort and stability, like learning and play, have been halted.

Through our work, we know that such adversity without support can profoundly impact a child’s ability to realize their full potential.

It is reasonable to see all of this injustice—across the world, in our country, down the street—and be overwhelmed. But if there is anything to gain from these collective experiences, it is the understanding that we are inescapably connected. The fate of all of our children hinges on our everyday decisions to stand up for what is right and to help instead of harm.

Here are some things that we can do, together, to make a difference:

• Understanding leads to empathy: Read, listen to and watch the stories of families experiencing displacement.
• Check in with yourself & loved ones: Learn how to talk to your children about war and discover ways to cope during hard times.
• Give when you can: Organizations like World Central Kitchen and International Rescue Committee are on the ground providing food and shelter to Ukrainian families fleeing the war zone.

Remember that no act of kindness—even to yourself—is too small to impact the bigger picture.

In community,

Martine Singer

This Black History Month, we featured #BlackExcellence in our CII Community. Recommended by their leaders and peers, we featured six of our colleagues who are making a huge impact for their community.

 

Dr. Brandi Eichstedt has been with CII for five years and is a Behavioral Health and Wellness Manager. Dr. Eichstedt manages the behavior and wellness component of CII’s Early Head Start and Head Start programs, which consists of the disabilities and mental health content areas.

Her deep love for forensic psychology and passion for the healing power of early intervention allows her to help youth recover from stress and trauma.

One thing she wants you to know is that she too was in Head Start. She shares, “that experience had a profound impact on me and my family! My love of learning came from my Head Start teacher, and I don’t think that I would be a doctor today if I had not been in the program.”

 

Crystal Williams-Dottin, MSW has been at CII for six years and is a Family and Community Partnership Manager. Crystal makes connections with community partners to ensure that resources and services are readily available for our families.

Raising her son as a single mom inspired her to learn more about child development, and as a native of South Los Angeles and former recipient of public-funded services, providing services for other families solidified her desire to become a social worker from a strength-based lens.

As an African-American woman, her story of perseverance brings greater meaning to representation. She says, “I represent women of color, working professionals, parents, and most importantly anyone who has risen from adversity and challenges to accomplish great things!”

 

Carmelita Shorts has been at CII for eight years and is now a Site Supervisor.

Carmelita provides a safe, fun and healthy place for children to learn and play each day. She is motivated by her love of seeing children grow, and getting to share their lives day to day with their teachers.

She has over 20 years of experience working with young children, and says “it’s my calling, and my yearly goal is to see the children happy and to keep them safe.”

 

Thresa Offord has been at CII for eight years and is an Education Coaching Manager.

Thresa’s role allows her to supervise Education Specialists, providing support and guidance as they mentor and coach teachers. She is passionate about teachers seeing their own strengths and gaining ground to move to the next level.

One thing she wants the community to know is that who they are and what they represent matters. She says, “they are seen, and we want to be advocates to identify their strengths, help them reach their dreams for themselves and their children. I believe there is nothing our community can’t do as long as we show them we believe in them, and we are here to take the ride beside them and with them.”

 

Georgette Bradley has been at CII for eight years and is now a Site Supervisor.

Georgette supports the growth and wellness of all children, families and staff in her care. She is always there for her team and is available to listen and respond to any of their needs.

She has been motivated to be an efficient and effective leader since she was 16, when she worked in a family daycare center. “I’m most proud of my ability to bring people together,” she says.

 

Francis Jenkins has been at CII for seven years and is an Education Specialist. She works with teachers to ensure that all lesson plans, activities and materials are developmentally appropriate, and she works with colleagues to plan integrated training for teachers.

Early childhood became a calling for Francis when she took her son to his first day of preschool at a Head Start in South Los Angeles. She was able to stay and support his transition to a new environment, which made him feel comfortable and know he was safe. She says, “I always felt welcomed and appreciated, which made me want to share that same feeling with others. So I started to volunteer, and my passion for nurturing the young grew into a 42-year career.”

Dear Friends,

Every year, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History designates a theme for Black History Month, and in 2022, we are lifting up Black Health and Wellness. At this point in our nation’s history, our understanding of Black health and wellness is broader and more nuanced than ever. Not only have we had a devastating look into health disparities through the COVID-19 pandemic, but we also have more Black professionals and influencers than ever speaking on the importance of mental and physical wellness.

Black practitioners have forged pathways of their own where institutions have failed and systemic barriers persist. Ala Stanford, MD and the Black Doctor’s COVID Consortium found ways to reach vaccine-hesitant communities by providing guidance from physicians who look like them, go to the same churches that they do, who have the same life experience and historical context as they do when navigating decisions about their health care.

Superstars like Beyoncé and Serena Williams have brought attention to bias in health care that leads to the high Black maternal mortality rate in the United States. These high-profile stories have been central to many recent discussions led by Black clinicians to address the issue and to unite others working to improve outcomes through organizations like the Black Mamas Matter Alliance.

Many Black leaders have shown their support for mental health care in their communities and led by example in prioritizing their own self-care. Perhaps the most high-profile instance of promoting self-care has been Simone Biles’ withdrawal from events at last year’s Olympic Games. “Simone Biles teaches us that we are truly, intrinsically worthy beyond the entertainment and expectation of others,” said Linda James Myers, PhD, of the Association of Black Psychologists.

While CII celebrates the contributions of our Black colleagues year-round, we want to take this opportunity to raise them up once again: The number of Black families CII supports through our programming continues to increase, and our Black colleagues’ work and visibility in our organization are so important. Black clinicians, teachers and staff who promote mental wellness help to destigmatize mental health care in our communities. Families in their care are comforted by their presence and expertise.

And I thank them for all that they do.

With gratitude,

Martine Singer
President & CEO

Dear Friends,

Now more than ever, LA’s kids need your help.

The pandemic will have lasting effects on our children. 

This year, three major pediatric organizations declared a national emergency in youth mental health, citing the devastating impact of COVID-19 and ongoing structural inequities. The communities CII serves were hit hardest: the CDC estimates that 1 of every 310 Black children and 1 of every 412 Hispanic children experienced the death of a caregiver. In Los Angeles alone, that’s thousands of families left without a partner, a parent, grandparent or other caring adult they loved dearly.

Children’s Institute has been a lifeline for so many—providing more than $2 million in food and other basic necessities, along with virtual learning and telehealth to more than 30,000 children and their families during the pandemic. Yet families struggle to rebound from the economic, academic and emotional losses of the past 18 months, and they continue to need your support. 

Children’s Institute not only provides critical resources and services to those living in underserved communities, but also hope for a better future. Our youngest children were thrilled to return to CII’s bright and welcoming Head Start centers this fall. Youth ageing out of foster care are being supported to graduate from high school and go on to college and careers. Project Fatherhood is helping dads build meaningful relationships with their children. No matter how families connect to CII, we do whatever it takes to set them on pathways to success.

We are one LA community, and together, we can make the season brighter for children and families across our city.

We appreciate your generous support.

With best wishes for a Happy New Year,

Martine Singer
President & CEO

 

Together, we can make the season brighter for children and families.

G I V E   T O D A Y

In December 2021, Children’s Institute held  four Winter Festival Toy Drive-Thru & Walk Ups for the second year in a row. Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, CII staff are still finding ways to safely make the season bright for our children and families across Los Angeles.

Thanks to our incredible sponsors—The Colleagues, Partnership for Families, Shelter Partnership, Good Plus Foundation, UCLA Latino Alumni Association, UCSB’s Chican@/Latinx Alumni Network, Film Craft LA, Film Tools, South LA Café, and countless individual donors—CII was able to distribute thousands of toys and baby items, and hundreds of grocery bags.

6,893 TOYS

570 GROCERY BAGS

1,687 BABY ITEMS 

Hundreds of families drove through 4 different CII locations—in Echo Park, Watts, Long Beach, and Wilmington—to pick up gifts, enjoy festive music and even catch a glimpse of Olaf (from Disney’s Frozen).

We’d like to thank our sponsors and community partners who made these events possible; our staff and volunteers who spent hours preparing, distributing, and cleaning up; and we’d especially like to thank the families who came out to celebrate with us.

Happy holidays to our entire CII community!

To our community:

We see you.

We see you for all that you are—strong, resilient, loving parents and children—and for all of your abundant potential.

As a mother, I know that when our children go out into the world, we want others to see them as we do: beautiful, bright, and full of promise.

And I also recognize the realities of systemic racism. Not everyone’s children are seen as mine are.   Deep-seated bias—expressed in conscious and unconscious ways—carries real consequences, and children of color are criminalized early and all too often.  Recent studies show that Black students in K-12 schools are more likely to be disciplined by school authorities and law enforcement than their peers of other races, even when engaged in identical or similar behaviors.

This, of course, leads to the cycle of racial inequity played out in a justice system that more often protects the privileged. It is difficult to imagine raising children in such an environment, but to do so is a courageous display of hope.  In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:

… there will be those moments when the buoyancy of hope will be transformed into the fatigue of despair. But difficult and painful as it is, we must walk on in the days ahead with an audacious faith in the future… Let us realize that the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.

Our audacious faith in the future is expressed through our love of children, our commitment to see their abundant potential, and determination to see them achieve their dreams.

At Children’s Institute, we will continue to empower our community with resources that allow them to achieve emotional wellness, educational success and economic mobility. And we are here to help them navigate personal and collective trauma.

If you or your children need support during this difficult time, we’re here for you.

When you are ready, contact us.

With my warmest regards,

Martine Singer

President & CEO 

In 2008, Congress formally recognized Bebe Moore Campbell Minority Mental Health Awareness Month to bring awareness to the unique struggles that underrepresented groups face in regard to mental illness in the US. Bebe Moore Campbell was an American author, journalist, teacher, and mental health advocate who co-founded the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Inglewood, right here in Los Angeles.

At Children’s Institute (CII), addressing mental health care in marginalized communities is a year-round priority for our frontline behavioral health and wellness staff. We wanted to take a moment to shine a light on staff working directly with Los Angeles communities, and thank them for all they do for children and families.

Meet Ershelle Williams, MFT and Carl Golden, LCSM.

 

Ershelle Williams, MFT
CalWORKs Program Supervisor

About Ershelle:

I am originally from Virginia and moved to California in the early 1990’s. I earned a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena and certification as a Spiritual Life Coach from Inner Visions Institute for Spiritual Development under the direction of Rev. Dr. Iyanla Vanzant.  I completed my internship as a marriage and family therapist with CII and have been employed with the agency for the past 13 years. I am currently the CalWORKs Program Supervisor and am responsible for overseeing the implementation of mental health and employment-focused services that support an individual’s transition from dependency on public assistance to employment and self-sufficiency; we use an evidence-based practice called Supported Employment Individual Placement and Support (IPS). Before my current position, I was a CalWORKs Therapist and CalWORKs Program Coordinator.

What motivated you to do this kind of work?

At an early age, I learned the importance of holding the space for others, to support them in making their own decisions while coming to conclusions about their own life. Growing up, my grandfather would always take the time to listen to what I had to say. He would sit quietly, never interrupting, as I rambled on about who knows what. After what seemed like hours of me talking nonstop, he would say, “Now what are you going to do about it?” Though he was a man of few words, I always felt heard and left those conversations feeling empowered. As a result of this experience, it was my desire to be present for others in the same way.

Why is it important to do this work in historically marginalized communities?

I believe sometimes people don’t know what they need until it shows up. Being able to provide mental health services to those who traditionally may not be aware of the benefits or have access to services is important, because it offers change where hope may be lost. Being able to hold space for others to freely express themselves is so important in developing the whole person. This leads to an overall better quality of life.  In my opinion, “Therapy is the best thing since sliced bread.”

 

Carl Golden, LCSW
Senior Clinical Supervisor – Clinical Internship Program

 

About Carl:

I moved to Los Angeles from Chicago in 2002, and went to work for a nonprofit organization in their Family Preservation Program.  In 2004, I began the Master of Social Work Program at USC and completed my Internship at Children’s Institute. During this time, I really enjoyed the organizational culture and was able to establish many positive work relationships. These are two of the main reasons why I returned to CII in 2010 as a full-time therapist. I became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) four years later.  Children’s Institute has provided me with a great opportunity for growth, and I am now a Senior Clinical Supervisor.

What motivated you to do this kind of work?

When I began working in the Family Preservation Program, I really enjoyed the opportunity to help individuals and families achieve goals that they set for themselves. As I continued to help others, my passion for this profession continued to grow, and I worked hard to improve my therapeutic skills to continue helping others to achieve their goals.

Why is it important to do this work in historically marginalized communities?

It is very important to do this type of work in historically marginalized communities, because I have had the opportunity to work with individuals and families who have told me that they felt they had no one to help them. Providing individuals and families with support, even if it is minimal support, helps to improve their overall morale. There are individuals and families who have been successfully linked to additional supportive services, who are still benefitting from and participating in those services and continuing to improve their overall well-being.

 

This is what Bebe Moore Campbell’s work was all about: lifting up historically marginalized communities hit hardest by the trauma resulting from systemic oppression.

If you or someone you know would like to know more about CII’s behavioral health and wellness programs, please reach out.

If you or someone you know are interested in a career serving children and families in Los Angeles, we’re hiring!

On June 10, Children’s Institute honored nearly 100 foster youth enrolled in our Individualized Transition Skills Program (ITSP) who are graduating high school and attending college this fall. The fifth annual Dream BIG celebration was virtual for the second year, just days before COVID-19 restrictions ended in California.

CII CEO Martine Singer opened the program by congratulating the graduates for overcoming significant obstacles in their lives.  And they have truly beat the odds: among 19-year olds participating in ITSP, 76 percent are continuing their studies, compared to just 53 percent nationwide.

One graduate spoke about the challenges she has overcome: “Moving a lot… has not been easy. I moved three times my senior year and almost 11 my freshman year… But this has helped me make decisions with my life.”

Keynote Johnny Hekker, punter for the LA Rams and friend of CII, spoke live from SoFi Stadium, saying, “Congratulations to you for all you have achieved; there’s nothing more beautiful than you guys prioritizing your education… you will be speaking at graduations just like this one day, I know it.”

 

 

 

 

High-energy Power 106 DJ Jonathan Q had another positive message:

 

 

 

 

A virtual yearbook scrolled as names were read aloud, followed by CII friend DJ Lani Love‘s live set. Being virtual didn’t hold anyone back from dancing up a storm!

To ensure a head start in the fall, each graduate received a dorm kit filled with supplies, all generously donated by one of CII’s wonderful support groups, The Colleagues.

A huge shout out goes to our amazing graduates and many thanks to our special guests and sponsors!