Momentum for Health

Today, Momentum recognizes and is closed for César Chávez Day. We honor the legacy of César Chávez—a leader, advocate, and voice for justice. His tireless fight for farmworkers’ rights reminds us of the importance of standing up for those who struggle to be heard. We honor his historical accomplishment and efforts to extend the hope of prosperity, equity and progress to all.   Photo credit: Ernest Lowe Via UC Merced Library   

Momentum has a new commercial! 🎥 Thanks to our friends at KRON-TV for this great opportunity to highlight our programs and services, including Parisi House on the Hill - one of Santa Clara County's few residential treatment programs keeping moms and their kids together through addiction treatment. Currently, KRON4 is airing a special segment on the fentanyl crisis: "The Next Generation: Breaking Fentanyl's Grip," a follow-up to last year's segment, "Saving a Generation." The specials explore how fentanyl impacts entire families and communities when children and youth overdose. Our commercial will air during breaks from the special, which you can watch tonight on KRON4 from 5-6 p.m. and 6-7 p.m.

March is National Social Work Month — a time to recognize the powerful impact social workers make every day. We asked our President & CEO, David Mineta, for reflections on his own journey in the field of social work and what advice he’d give to those considering it. What made you want to go into this field? “My parents' divorce hit my younger brother pretty hard. He was a straight-A high school student, who hit the skids. His grades dropped and he got into some trouble. I kept thinking that I wished there was someone at school who could help him. I went into social work to be that school resource. I was a school social worker for the first several years of my career and even had a pupil personnel services credential from the state. I loved being a social worker which allowed me to work with kids and their families.” What would you say to someone considering a career in social work? “First, I would tell them to do it. That I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat. I've had the best experience being a social worker. I've done direct service for nonprofits, counties, school districts, run programs all over CA, and worked on policy at the highest levels of the federal government. So rewarding!!!! To be able to help others in organizations whose mission it is to do that is the best.” Thank you to all the social workers making a difference — this month and every month 💙

Telemundo recently visited La Selva Community Clinic to showcase the essential mental health services we provide to the community. 🌟 Here’s a sneak peek from the interview with Martha Zambrano, LMFT, and Ana Valle-Hernandez, LMFT, who are dedicated to supporting individuals through counseling, case management, and more. Learn more about the clinic at: https://lnkd.in/gAQTw5ik. Stay tuned—the full segment airs soon! 📺

At Momentum for Health, we’ve been celebrating Employee Appreciation Day all month long, delivering gratitude and breakfast burritos from Cafe Rosalena's to 500+ staff across our programs 🌯🙌 Thanks to our incredible staff members for all your hard work and dedication year-round. We appreciate you!

Momentum is currently recruiting three Peer Interns for Fall 2025 through Santa Clara County's Peer Intern Stipend Program! These positions offer a unique opportunity for individuals with lived experience to support others in their recovery journeys while gaining valuable professional experience in the field of behavioral health. Interested candidates can apply by completing the application attached and emailing it to Taylor Wang, Intern Training Coordinator, at twang@momentumforhealth.org along with their resume. Applications are due by March 31, 2025. https://lnkd.in/gYZesNR7 Learn more through the County's flyer, and please spread the word with anyone who you think would be a good fit!

🎨 Earlier this month, Momentum for Health welcomed local artist Nicole Alexander to create a colorful mandala mural on the walls of our drop-in center at our Eastside Outpatient facility. The mural depicts a lotus, a powerful symbol found in many cultures. Just as the lotus emerges from the mud time and time again, blossoming into something beautiful, the design represents growth, resilience, and transformation—a reflection of the journeys many Momentum clients embark on. During the painting process, Nicole was joined by her daughter, Lily, who helped bring the vision to life. Beyond her work as an artist, Nicole is also the owner of Soul Medicine, where she offers Reiki therapy, breathwork, and art classes. She regularly hosts women’s wellness and art events, using creativity as a tool for healing. This mural was particularly special for Nicole, as she had been eager to take on a large-scale project. Her hope is that Momentum clients will find peace in the space, reflect on the art, and feel inspired to create their own. Nicole says, "May this mural serve as a reminder that no matter where you are in your journey, you are growing. You are rising. You are blossoming." A huge thank you to Nicole for sharing her time, talent, and vision with us. We are grateful for the beauty and inspiration she has brought to this space! 💙 Be sure to check out more of her work: yoursoulsmedicine.com

Last week, members of our Board of Directors completed their Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training (instructed by our very own MHFA team!), equipping them with the skills to recognize and support individuals struggling with mental health or substance use challenges.   MHFA is like CPR for mental health—it teaches everyday people how to identify signs of a crisis, respond with empathy, and connect individuals to the resources they need.    A huge thank you to our MHFA team for leading this important training, and to our Board for dedicating their time to learning these essential skills. Together, we are building a more informed, supportive, and resilient community! 🧡   To learn more about bringing MHFA to your organization, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gejfgt52

We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us for the first session of our Teen Mental Health First Aid Training on Sunday! It was inspiring to see such a motivated group ready to learn. 💪💬 A big thank you to the team at Momentum for Health for leading the session with such knowledge, compassion, and enthusiasm. 👏 We’re looking forward to the next two sessions in the series on Sundays, February 2 & 9, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. where we’ll continue building on these important skills. Registration has now closed, but if you have any questions, please contact Conor at 415.752.6006 or email ccostelloe@sfiipc.org #sfiipc #CommunityOutreachProgram #IrishCommunity #IrishDiaspora #GlobalIrish #wellness #mentalhealth #health #mentalhealthtraining #teenmentalhealth #communitybuilding Consulate General of Ireland, San Francisco Irish Culture Bay Area United Irish Cultural Center, Inc. Irish Network Bay Area

We had a great time connecting with students at the Santa Clara University Intern Fair on January 23! 🎓✨ It was inspiring to meet so many enthusiastic students and share details about our internship opportunities at Momentum for Health. Our internship program offers supervision, weekly clinical training, and the potential for employment opportunities post-graduation—all within an inclusive, professional, and growth-minded culture. 🌱 We’re currently recruiting student interns for Fall 2025! If you're looking for paid, hands-on experience in the behavioral health field, visit our Internships page on our website to learn more. https://lnkd.in/gbwrDFix