Ahmanson Foundation Gift Brings Strength United to San Fernando
A new office in the city of San Fernando increases access to Strength United services for people impacted by interpersonal violence and abuse.
The new office, located at 1240 Truman St., sits in the heart of the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys service area of Strength United, which provides confidential support for survivors of domestic violence and other violence. The new location houses Strength United’s Community Public Health Team, mental health services and the Close to Home prevention initiative. It features dedicated space for prevention education staff, case managers, therapists and administrative support personnel.
“This building, these walls, these rooms, these healing spaces, they represent nothing less than a new commitment to our community,” said Andrew Pacheco, associate director of sustainability and growth, at a ribbon cutting ceremony Sept. 19.
The San Fernando office lease and renovation were made possible by a $150,000 grant from The Ahmanson Foundation, an organization whose generous support for a variety of CSUN programs includes enhanced services for Strength United clients. The foundation’s support has enabled purchase of an electronic health records system as well as the Van Nuys Family Justice Center’s mock courtroom, which helps victims of abuse, assault or domestic violence get accustomed to a court setting before they must testify.
Strength United is a chartered program of CSUN’s Michael D. Eisner College of Education. The organization has been serving the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys for more than 30 years, providing confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week — each year supporting more than 5,000 children, adults and families affected by violence, sexual abuse and trauma.
Strength United also provides mental health training to more than 160 CSUN graduate and undergraduate students each year, and it offers prevention and education workshops throughout the community to address violence and abuse at the root.
Located in a community where 93% of residents identify as Latino and 73% speak a language other than English, the new San Fernando office ensures culturally responsive care.
“This grand opening demonstrates Strength United’s commitment to creating a comprehensive support system in San Fernando,” said Executive Director Merilla Scott. “From prevention visits in your living room to therapy sessions in your neighborhood, we’re meeting families wherever they are in their healing journey.”
— Olivia Herstein contributed to this report.
The post Ahmanson Foundation Gift Brings Strength United to San Fernando first appeared on CSUN Newsroom.
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