By Pilar Padilla
Director, Marketing & Communications
May 20, 2025
Para Los Niños began providing mental health care to families more than 20 years ago and remains the only children’s mental health provider in the Skid Row neighborhood. In the spirit of Mental Health Month, we want to share what makes our staff and program exceptional as well as encourage our community of staff, supporters and families to prioritize their wellbeing.
Meet Azucena Garcia, a therapist at Para Los Niños. Growing up as a Mexican-American woman, she knew there was a significant need for mental health services in her community. “My understanding of our culture became a motivational vehicle to support people as they navigate their experiences and challenges,” she says. “At PLN, I know that my colleagues and I are rooted in care for our clients and the communities we are a part of. Our work isn’t always easy, but we often approach our work with love and understanding because many of us understand first-hand the positive implications our work has on both individuals and entire communities.”
In fact, many of our staff members are representative of the communities we partner with. PLN provides unique training opportunities, including professional development that encourages therapists to use intersectional frameworks in their practice. We know that race, ethnicity and cultural background all play a factor in how we experience the world around us and the lens through which we see our lives. Research suggests that therapists who can make culturally relevant adjustments to Evidence Based Practices decrease client-engagement challenges, thus increasing access to care.
