On May 5th, during Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, friends of The Guidance Center gathered virtually to celebrate a trauma-informed movement in Long Beach schools. The 5th Annual It’s About T.I.M.E. Social Hour was filled with community, reflection, brain-breaks and lots of laughter.
Thank you 2021 Sponsors!
Chief Development officer, Lorraine Lyou, started the event by welcoming everyone and thanking our 13 generous sponsors who helped make the event possible and ensure the program is viable. She also thanked Trademark Brewing and Primal Alchemy for providing fun drinks and a delicious meal.
Then CEO, Patricia Costales, LCSW, shared a message on the importance of It’s About T.I.M.E. (Trauma Informed Movement in Education) and how valuable the program is in helping teachers and staff build relationship with students so they feel seen and heard.
The event also consisted of testimonies from Nathan Swaringen, LCSW, and Stevie McBride, LMFT, on their work this past year helping schools navigate through the mental health impacts of a pandemic. Stevie had the group participate in different stretches to help everyone clear their minds and refresh. Nathan spoke on the power of the program for adults in the school system and how much they benefit from mental health support as well.
Trademark’s 16oz Crowlers
Lastly, Assistant Principal, Jennie Salazar, at Lakewood High School shared her It’s About T.I.M.E. story where she learned how to help students, and even her family, regulate their emotions. She also shared a touching story of loss and how the It’s About T.I.M.E. practices helped her get through it.
Primal Alchemy’s “Build Your Own Tacos” appetizer.
In the end, the night was a tremendous success! We passed our fundraising goal of $6,000 by raising nearly $6,500! From the bottom of our hearts, we are so thankful to everyone who came to this event and supported this cause. Your generous donations are helping students, teachers and staff have the help they need to be happy, healthy and academically successful.
Please enjoy this video from Nathan and Stevie to express their deepest gratitude.
It’s not too late to support this program! Visit tgclb.org/donate or text DONATE to 562-262-5689 to make a contribution today!