Did you know that expressing gratitude increases your well-being? In a recent research study involving nearly 300 adults, mostly college students who were seeking mental health counseling at a university, it revealed that writing one letter of gratitude to another person each week for three weeks coupled with counseling helped participants with mental health over the course of 12 weeks. Although the gratitude expressed was brief, the benefits to the brain were noteworthy. When we take time to be grateful for others, for small steps we take, or simple things in life, we become present to the moment.
During Thanksgiving we may sit around the table with family and friends, taking time to share one thing we are grateful for. When I think about the work we do at El Centro de Amistad, I am overcome with gratitude. I am grateful to the staff who give of themselves each day to help our clients. We see the small steps they take to overcome challenging times in life. We teach them coping skills that offer new opportunities to see things in a different light. We help them acknowledge that they woke up in the morning, have a home, have basic needs met, and are on their way to healing.
Seasonal depression is also real. We help them understand they may have cycles that may trigger depression yet they can take a proactive approach to managing it if they are willing to tackle it.
Without the support of our community, we could not do the work we do. Throughout the year, foundations, board of directors, volunteers, organizations, and individuals have expressed their own gratitude by offering support to our mission. By way of grants, donations, in-kind donations, talent, or time these generous expressions show the commitment you also have to empowering individuals so they can have a better future.
I am humbled by everyone’s commitment to mental health and the ever-changing needs of our families and individuals in the San Fernando Valley. Today and everyday I wake up with gratitude for the impact we make together.
Sincerely,
Tamika Farr, MBA
Executive Director
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The season of giving is here and we’re looking for individuals who would like to be a spark of hope for the children, families and individuals we serve. Consider giving a gift that will help put food on the table, get transportation vouchers, buy warm clothes and shoes for the winter, and other basics. Your donation can also help families have a sense of normalcy when getting a restaurant gift card or movie tickets for an evening out. The gifts will reignite a sense of hope for a better new year. 
