SIPA is providing an online weekly support group for adults (age 18+) who are experiencing grief and loss and are of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or People of Color)/Latino/Filipino descent.
This will be an OPEN GROUP format; registration will be on a first come basis for Maximum of 20 participants, it is highly recommended that participants attend the initial session of the group. There are 10 weekly sessions total. New participants are permitted to join the group over the course of sessions. Participants who are unable to attend a session, are asked to notify the facilitator(s) 24-hours in advance of the expected absence.
Once participants have registered, participants MUST CLICK ON THE LINK and save the Zoom meeting ID for the day of the session. Please keep the group link and details of the group confidential in order to ensure the privacy and safety of all group members.
Cost: Free
Age: 18+
Date: Mondays starting March 4h, 2024, through May 13th, 2023 (Week of March 25th Spring Break no session)
Time: 5:30 - 6:30 pm Pacific Time
Location: Zoom (Link to be provided after registration)
Accessibility
Participants are encouraged to take mental and emotional breaks as needed, during the workshop. Group Facilitators are bilingual and fluent in Spanish, Filipino (Tagalog), and English.
Facilitators
Eric Hernandez (He/Him), Ed., D., MSW. Mental Health Counselor at SIPA
Gennie Samala (She/Her), LCSW. Client Care Coordinator at SSG SILVER
Marceliano Bonafe (He/Him), MSW Intern at SIPA
Facilitator Bio
Eric Hernandez (He/Him) Ed.D., MSW, was born in El Salvador and migrated to Los Angeles, CA at the age of 12 years-old and settled in the Pico-Union area with his family. After graduating from Belmont High School, Eric attended Cal Poly Pomona where he played NCAA Division II Soccer and earned a B.A. degree in Sociology and a minor in Criminal Justice. Eric went on to the University of Southern California Master of Social Work (MSW) Program, where he graduated with his MSW with an emphasis in School Social Work/Counseling in 2003.
Eric went to work for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) as a Pupil Services & Attendance Counselor at his alma mater, Belmont High School. Eric worked with LAUSD for 20 years in various capacities: as an Adult Education Counselor and Instructor, K-12 & Alternative Education Counselor, MSW Intern Supervisor, and various other district level positions. After an extensive and diverse experience in education and to further expand his skills and knowledge in the field, Eric returned to USC to earn his Doctor of Education in 2015. Most recently, Eric wanted to serve another population and went to work at St. Joseph Center-Homeless Services Program as a Mental Health Specialist & Lead Case Manager. Eric provided individual and group counseling for homeless adults, as well as served as the lead case manager and oversaw the program’s day-to-day services.
Eric is a firm believer in the concept of being a life-long learner and has continued his education at UCLA Extension where is currently completing the Alcohol & Drug Counseling Program. In his free time, Eric enjoys riding his bike to the beach, attending sporting events and concerts, watching movies, and exploring the diverse foods and culture Los Angeles has to offer.
Facilitator Bio
Gennie David Samala (She/Her) is a licensed clinical social worker from Special Services for Groups SILVER-- a Los Angeles County contracted provider of older adult mental health services. Gennie earned her bachelor's degree in social work from California State University, Los Angeles in 2014 and furthered her education by obtaining her master's degree in social welfare specializing in geriatric care from UCLA in 2017 as a GSWEC stipend recipient and William Randolph Hearst Fellow. Gennie continues to focus her work on breaking down stigma surrounding mental health and the growing needs of older adults and especially in the Filipino community by providing culturally and linguistically sensitive individual psychotherapy and case management services in English and Tagalog (Filipino). Gennie continues to advocate for the health and mental health needs of Filipino-Americans by serving as one of the co-facilitators of Mag Usap Monday, a monthly virtual psychoeducational series and a grief & loss support group hosted by Search to Involve Pilipino Americans, she is part of the planning committee for the Filipino Mental Health Wellbeing Summit, spoken as a panelist for AAPI centered conferences for organizations such as the American Psychological Associaltion - Division on Filipinx Americans, and serves as one of the co-chairs for Historic Filipinotown Coalition's Health & Human Services Committee.
MSW Intern Bio
Marcel Bonafe (He/Him) is from the San Gabriel Valley and resides in Los Angeles. He is an intern at SIPA and a current graduate student at California State University Los Angeles completing his master's degree in social work. Marcel has previous work experience as a program supervisor, providing mental health counseling and case management working with criminal justice/re-entry populations as well as middle and high school aged youth. Marcel's interest in social work is to utilize play and art therapy with children and families as a means of exploring creative and client-led treatment.
Outside of the hustle and bustle of graduate school duties, Marcel enjoys listening to obnoxiously loud and fast music and training Muay Thai "The Art of 8 Limbs."
Questions?
This workshop is being provided courtesy of SIPA (Search to Involve Pilipino Americans) and SSG (Special Service for Groups) SILVER.
