AIRPORT MARINA COUNSELING SERVICE

After fifty years we are proud that our Mission and Philosophy remain our guiding principles.  They define why we continue to exist, and why we deserve and receive widespread community, foundation and Los Angeles City and County support.

Originally organized by the Westchester Coordinating Council, concerned about the lack of services for troubled school children and their families (there simply was no place close to Westchester for them to go), the Clinic focused on their families, and established an ability- to- pay system in which no one would be turned away for lack of funds. After fifty years, this remains our policy today.

In 1962, we focused on the concepts of volunteerism and little government support, also precepts that remain after fifty years.  The reliance on volunteerism was exemplified by the spontaneous and almost simultaneous founding of the Westchester Mental Health Guild, designed to support the fledgling Clinic, and which today remains the largest consistent source of financial support.

Originally all therapists were volunteers: licensed clinical social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists and an attorney – all were volunteers.  Today we operate with a small paid full and part-time staff; however, even after fifty years, the majority of our staff is still volunteer.

We were the first non-profit mental health agency to employ the four psychological professional disciplines under one roof: psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and marriage and family therapists. We described ourselves as a one-stop mental health resource, and remain so today.

Low fees meant seeking financial support from individuals and service groups in the community and from foundations.  Thanks to strong Boards and highly respected professional staff, we received early grants:  in 1974, a $12,000 grant from the United Way; shortly after that two state Grants – one for Counseling Heart Patients and their Families, and one for  Counseling Victims of Violent Crime.  Also, in the 1970’s we received a County grant called “Human Efforts at Vitalizing Youth” (known as Project HEAVY), targeting disturbed and underprivileged youngsters.  After fifty years, grants continue to be a major source of income.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR FIRST FIFTY YEARS

In 1975 the Guilded Cage, a high-end boutique gift shop representing one of the earliest entrepreneurial ventures in the nonprofit community and operated by the Westchester Mental Health Guild, was established, together with the Annual Home Tour and the Garden Tour.  These fund-raising efforts still help support the Clinic’s services.

• In 1977 we opened five nights a week, increasing service hours from daytime only to evening hours as well.
• In 1986 we became the only mental health agency to be open seven days a week – which meant for us a new Sunday Clinic.
• In 1986 we organized the first Jet to Jetty Walk/Run for Mental Health. This became and, continues to be, a significant source of clinic funds, and as well as a way to reach an ever wider public.
•  In 1993 we moved into the building we are presently in.
• In 1999 we opened our counseling programs at Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnets (formerly Westchester High School) and the Boys and Girls Club of Venice.
• In 2001 we added a Children’s Wing to the clinic property.
• In 2003, with support from the William H. Hannon Foundation,  we launched the Hannon Immediate Intervention Program to help clients in crisis.
• In 2005 we bought the building we presently occupy.
• In 2007 we became a United Way Partner for 4 years.
• In 2007 we launched our low-cost Psychological & Psycho-educational Testing Program.
• In 2008 we opened our Counseling Program at Orville Wright Middle School.
• Also in 2008 we had the opportunity to upgrade and refurbish the Clinic – and it still looks great!
• In 2009 we developed a Cognitive Behavioral Training Program to address Anxiety Disorders.
•  In 2010 we expanded our group therapy model to include:  Couples Groups; Anxiety Disorders Groups; and Transition Groups for Older Adults.

Today, we serve 400 clients a week and have 60 interns in training at any one time.

Anne Morrow Lindberg is credited with saying: “Any creative act takes labor, patience and pain, and an infinite faith in the future.”  Thanks to our friends and supporters over these many years, the continuing, high-level services rendered by the Airport Marina Airport Counseling Service today reflect the happy results of all four – labor, patience, pain – and especially an infinite faith in the future.  We look forward to the next fifty years.