Who We Are
high-quality mental health, community support, and advocacy
La Familia has over 48 years history of providing high-quality mental health, community support, and advocacy services in the San Francisco Bay Area.
We started as part of a grassroots movement and our ties to the community remain deep and passionate. We are committed to building a vibrant and multicultural agency to provide services that help individuals and families in our community meet their own needs.
Our Commitment
Mission
We provide underserved multicultural communities with the tools and support necessary to build resilience, wellness, and economic power.
Vision
We envision healthy, prosperous, and safe communities for all.
Our values
Belonging
We help those around us feel important, connected, and confident in a community of hope. This sense of belonging is rooted in compassion and respect for shared cultures, values, and lived experiences.
Social Justice
We amplify the voices of our community to fight for systems, policies, opportunities, and services that promote social and economic justice and improve the quality of life for all.
Self-Determination
We help people recognize and build on their talents, strengths, and goals to enhance their self-determination, leadership, and power.
Partnership
We engaged in meaningful partnerships with organizations, communities, and the people we serve.
Integrity
We hold ourselves to the highest standards of respect, truthfulness, follow through, and accountability. As a result, we achieve measurable results for the people and communities we serve.
Our History
1975
Our Beginning
La Familia Counseling Service begins as the result of a grassroots community organizing effort to initiate appropriate bilingual/bicultural mental health services for Latinos.
1979
Developmental Services
The Regional Center of the East Bay designates La Familia as a delegated service provider, which launches our Developmental Services Department.
1985
Headquarters
La Familia establishes headquarters on Mocine Avenue in Hayward, California, expanding our capacity to provide services in the greater Alameda County region.
1985
Executive Director
Hector Mendez begins his 25-year tenure as Executive Director of La Familia.
1989
Mental Health Service Providers
La Familia begins its training of mental health service providers, specializing in bilingual services and encouraging bicultural applicants.
1990
Hijos Del Sol
Youth advocacy program, Hijos Del Sol kicks-off the provision of prevention services with ALMA (Alliance of Latino Mentors against AIDS.)
1994
Advocacy
Hijos del Sol organizes 4,000 student walk-out with Dolores Huerta to advocate for culturally competent curriculums and bilingual resources in Hayward schools.
2000
Neighborhood Resource Center.
La Familia opens its Fuller Neighborhood Resource Center, expanding its Community Outreach Services Department.
2002
Master of Social Welfare Program
As a result of advocacy from La Familia, Cal State East Bay launches the Master of Social Welfare program
2007
Becoming a Union Organization
La Familia becomes a union organization and a member of Service Employees International Union 1070.
2014
Education and Employment Services
East Bay Community Services becomes a part of La Familia, creating our Education and Employment Services Department, which specializes in youth workforce development.
2015
Wellness and Recovery Services
The Latino Commission on Alcohol & Drug Abuse of Alameda County becomes part of La Familia, which launches our Wellness and Recovery Services Department.
2015
Unaccompanied Immigrant Youth
La Familia becomes the first mental health service provided for Unaccompanied Immigrant Youth (UIY) in Alameda County.
We are people who are passionate with lived experience.
La Familia is proud to be led by a diverse group of people who bring professional expertise, heart, and most-importantly, lived experience to each of our programs.
OUR PARTNERS
La Familia believes that forming meaningful partnerships is essential to meeting the needs of our neighbors and creating safe, prosperous, and healthy communities. We are grateful to be partnered with the following organizations:
La Familia’s SUD treatment and prevention programs are licensed/ certified by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). Our active license/certification can be confirmed here: data.chhs.ca.gov/dataset/sud-recovery-treatment-facilities