The Guidance Center is a safe place for all who come to our doors, regardless of their gender or sexual identity or orientation, ability, race, ethnicity, religion, or immigration status.
This statement is displayed at all Guidance Center clinics.
In light of recent events, we understand that many in our community, and within our own Guidance Center doors, are feeling anxious and afraid. There is genuine concern about uncertainty with fear for the safety of ourselves and our loved ones. Black Americans, Indigenous/Natives, People of Color (BIPOC), disabled and neurodiverse folks, LGBTQIA2S+ identities, immigrant and undocumented populations, and veterans have largely been affected.
At The Guidance Center, we want to take this time to reaffirm our core value of inclusivity, believing that we are all enriched by diversity of race, religion, ethnicity, sexuality, ability, and experience. This includes the immigration experience.
We would like to share an affirming safe message from our CEO, Patricia Costales, LCSW and a few helpful resources for immigrant communities.
Official Statement from Our CEO
The Guidance Center’s vision is a community where all children have the help they need to be happy and healthy. Central to this vision is a message of inclusivity; it is our core belief that all children have value and deserve a safe place to turn for help when it is needed. At The Guidance Center, we strive to be that safe place.
During this time, I acknowledge that people are questioning whether they will be received with value and respect in this world. They may even wonder if it is safe to seek help, to speak up, to be visible, and to live with authenticity. There is a legitimate fear of family separation, heartbreak, and loss. As a mental health provider, I know we cannot help but hurt along with our neighbors and worry about the long-term mental health impact on those who are living in fear.
It is not possible to separate the rich history of California, indeed of the United States, from the story of immigration. Immigration has enriched our language, our traditions, our foods, and our collective experience. It is woven into the fabric of who we are as a people and should be celebrated, not feared nor demonized.
Mental health services provided by The Guidance Center are protected as confidential under state and federal law. The privacy and confidentiality mandates of HIPAA (Health Information Privacy and Protection Act) are both clear and intact. In the unlikely event that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were to come to our doors, those same standards of confidentiality would apply. We will assert client privilege and politely decline to share information. Nor will we grant access. The laws around confidentiality in mental health are well-established for a reason.
I believe that it is only if people feel safe that they will ask for help. It is only if they feel safe that they will share and engage in treatment. It is only if The Guidance Center remains a safe place that we will be able to keep doing the vitally important work of serving our children.
We stand in solidarity with you and say, you are safe here.
Supportive Community Resources
1.) Immigrant Legal Resource Center: a national nonprofit that provides legal training, technical assistance, educational materials, and public policy advocacy for immigrant communities.
2.) Los Angeles Office of Immigrant Affairs: helps all immigrants learn about available services for them and their families.
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- Know Your Rights Pocket Card: a quick guide on immigrant rights and communicating with law enforcement
3.) Find Your Ally: free immigration legal services for California community college students, staff, and faculty.
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- Student Fact Sheet: a step-by-step guide to support students on how to prepare for a consultation with a legal representative
- Webinar Recordings: videos are available through a collaboration between the Immigration Legal Resource Center and the Foundation for California Community Colleges.
4.) Immigrants Rising: this organization empowers undocumented people with resources and support for their education, careers, and mental health.
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- Undocu-Immigrant Mental Health Grounding and Reflection Toolkit: a worksheet with mindfulness activities, breathing exercises, journal prompts, and mental health resources
- Wellness Support Groups: 6-week support groups for undocumented people led by trained mental health providers or registered clinicians
- Spark Business Marketplace: a hub of immigrant-owned businesses to support. Most of those listed were funded by Immigrants Rising’s seed grant, which is a program that supports undocumented entrepreneurs from a variety of industries.
As an agency, we are committed to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI). We hope you find these resources helpful for you and your loved ones. For additional mental health support and emergency hotlines, please check out the community resources listed on our website.