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SPRING IS IN THE AIR

By Kathleen O'Leary Lefferman, M.A.
Executive Director

Today is warm and sunny with a hint of spring in the air.  And spring marks our 4th annual Tribute to our Friends fundraising dinner/dance honoring three Champions of Mental Health:  State Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas, Sibyl Buchanan, Director of Community Affairs at Playa Vista and Polly Garstka, Ed.D., AMCS Board member and community activist.  The event will take place on Sunday, March 16, 2008 at Loyola Marymount University and will include dancing, entertainment and live and silent auctions.  We are looking forward to an exciting evening shared with friends and supporters, and hopefully, you!

I am thrilled to be a part of such an exciting time at AMCS.  We have 53 interns in training, with more on the way, offering us the ability to meet the community need and even expand our client services.  In addition to our work at Westchester High School and the Boys and Girls Club of Venice, we have recently started providing services at 2 local schools - Orville Wright Middle School and Mark Twain Middle School.  Miriam's House for Sober Living represents another new venue for Airport Marina's services.  In early March we began offering parenting classes and counseling for the women and children who reside there.  This collaboration is a wonderful opportunity to extend our reach and offer additional community-based intervention.

A recent grant from the Robert Ellis Simon Foundation has allowed us to develop and begin implementing a new Anxiety Disorders Program.  This Program offers clients Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other health enhancement and stress reduction interventions to address the often disabling effects of anxiety.  Our new Program will serve the dual purpose of better responding to client needs and introducing our counselors to alternative interventions that have proven to be highly effective with the family of Anxiety Disorders.  Anticipated client benefits include symptom relief, improved functioning and life-style changes that will enhance and maintain overall mental health and functioning.  We welcome Gabi. L. Deak, a Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker, to our staff to manage the program and oversee the work with clients.

Our Clinical staff, under the direction of Clinical Director Nancy Iben, continues to provide the critical and responsive services that make the difference in the lives of our clients.  Our dynamic Board President, Judith Delavigne, and our dedicated Board of Directors, daily support and enhance the work of Airport Marina Counseling Service.  Our special thanks to the Westchester Mental Health Guild who is a constant pillar of support for the Clinic.  Together the staff and volunteer-based groups help ensure that Airport Marina Counseling Service is just a phone call away for those who need a safe place to come for hope and healing.

Fritz B. Burns Foundation and Gateway to L.A.
Present Grants to AMCS

Airport Marina Counseling Service and its clients are grateful for a recent grant from the Fritz B. Foundation.  The grant for $10,000 will support core operating services, including individual, couples and group therapy, and psychiatric services such as evaluation and treatment.  These funds are critical to helping AMCS provide affordable mental health care to those in need.  Thank you to the Fritz B. Burns Foundation.

AMCS was fortunate to receive a grant from Gateway to L.A. at their annual Holiday Luncheon, which featured an outstanding performance by the Azusa Pacific Choir and Orchestra.  Gateway to L.A. is a business improvement district serving the LAX area that donates proceeds to local nonprofit organizations.  We appreciate Gateway to L.A. and their efforts to create a better community for all.

 

It won't Cost you a penny!
Every time you buy groceries at Ralphs or Vons, you could be contributing 1 to 4 percent of your purchase to Airport Marina Counseling Service simply by having us register your grocery club card. It’s easy and there is no cost to you.
Just fill out the downloadable form and mail it to: AMCS, 7891 La Tijera Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045 or FAX it back at 310.670.0919. That's it!
If you don't currently have a Ralphs or Vons Club card, just call 1-877-SAFEWAY to get your VONS club card number, and 1-800-660-9003 to get your Ralphs club card number. Click below to go to our donations page and download the form today.
Please call AMCS at 310.670.1410 if you have any questions.

 

 

We publish a monthly electronic newsletter (eZine) called AMCS Newsline and a biannual print newsletter called AMCS News .

   
 
AMCS • 7891 La Tijera Blvd. • Westchester, CA 90045 • 310.670.1410 • webmaster@airportmarina.org