Fred Finch Youth Center

10/15/2026

As Latine Heritage Month comes to a close, we’re reminded that conversations about identity, belonging, and representation matter all year long.

In our latest Expert Perspectives story, “𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐵𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑇ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝐼𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅𝑒𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛,” Doris offers a perspective on the role identity and representation play in helping people feel seen, understood, and connected.

At Fred Finch, we recognize that every person brings a unique set of experiences, cultural influences, and perspectives that shape who they are. Honoring those experiences is an important part of fostering belonging and providing culturally responsive care to the individuals and families we serve.

Heritage months offer meaningful opportunities to listen, learn, and celebrate, but this work doesn't end when the month does. We remain committed to creating space for these conversations and recognizing the diversity of experiences that strengthen our communities.

Meet Doris Sanchez, Mental Health Therapist in our Transitions program, whose story reminds us why identity,representation, and belonging matter in the work we do everyday.

Read Doris’s story: https://www.fredfinch.org/post/finding-belonging-through-identity-and-representation

10/14/2026

A heartfelt thank you to our partners at Ticket to Dream Foundation and Jazwares for your generous donations and for helping bring smiles to the young people we serve!

Your ongoing partnership helps bring joy, create meaningful experiences, and remind the children and youth in our care that their community is rooting for them.

Thank you for continuing to support our mission and help create memorable experiences for the children and youth who need it most.

10/09/2026

A huge thank you to City National Bank for spending the day volunteering with us at our Coolidge campus!

Earlier this month, we were thrilled to welcome 9 volunteers who rolled up their sleeves and made a big impact. Together, they:
🔹𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝟏𝟖 𝐯𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐭
🔹𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬
🔹𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐬 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞

It was a great day of teamwork, service, and community! We are so grateful for your time, energy, and commitment to our mission and the children, youth, and families we serve.

Thank you, City National Bank, for showing up and making a difference!

10/06/2026

“𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐥.” — Adnan

What does progress look like when a young person has the right support around him?

For Adnan and his mother, Sameena, it has meant finding new ways to communicate, building confidence, navigating experiences that once felt overwhelming, and discovering new possibilities in everyday life.

Through our California High Fidelity Wraparound Certified East Bay Wraparound program, Adnan and his family have been supported in creating a team around him—one that listens, adapts, builds on his strengths, and works together to support his goals at home and in the community.

Watch Adnan and Sameena share their story. Then read the full story on our blog to learn more about Adnan’s journey and the family-centered support that helped make these moments possible.

https://www.fredfinch.org/post/finding-his-voice-how-family-centered-support-helped-adnan-build-confidence-and-connection

What does meaningful progress look like to you?

10/05/2026

This 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡, we honor the richness, resilience and diversity of Filipino American communities—and the many stories, experiences and contributions that have shaped our shared history.

At Fred Finch, we believe that every story matters. Our work is grounded in culturally responsive services that recognize the unique identities, experiences, strengths and needs of the children, youth, adults and families we serve.

Honoring history means making space for the stories and perspectives that have too often been overlooked, while recognizing the many ways communities have shaped our collective future. When we listen to lived experiences, honor diverse perspectives and create space for voices to be heard, we strengthen connection, resilience and more responsive communities.

Throughout Filipino American History Month, we invite you to join us in reflecting on the stories that have shaped our communities, celebrating the contributions that continue to make an impact, and recognizing the voices and experiences that deserve to be seen, heard and honored.

09/29/2026

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡. As we continue recognizing Latine Heritage Month, we’re spotlighting the work and message of one of our distinguished guest speakers, Alfonso Mercado, who joined Debra Kawahara, PhD, former president of the American Psychological Association, to discuss immigration through a mental health lens.

The conversation offers an opportunity to reflect on the experiences, challenges, and strengths of immigrant communities—and how these experiences can shape mental health and well-being.

We invite you to take some time to revisit Dr. Mercado’s message and consider how we can continue advancing culturally responsive, compassionate, and informed care for the children, youth, families, and communities we serve.

Watch the conversation: youtube.com/watch?si=uOe6B101kafgDgpu&v=mmsInOoFeGE&feature=youtu.be

Immigration is more than a policy debate. It's a human experience s...

09/25/2026

In recognition of Latine Heritage Month, our agency welcomed speaker Diane Arms to present at our all-staff meeting on issues that pertain to behavioral health. See full bio in the accompanying image.

Diane, Founder and Principal Consultant of Arms Avanza Consulting, shared her expertise and introduced us to the work of the Hispanic/Latino Behavioral Health Center of Excellence a national resource focused on strengthening behavioral health services for Hispanic and Latino communities.

A few key takeaways from Diane’s presentation:
🔹Building a stronger behavioral health workforce through training, technical assistance, and leadership development.
🔹Centering culture and community in behavioral health practices and outreach.
🔹Bridging access to quality care through community-informed resources and strategies.
🔹The power of partnership and collaboration to strengthen services and reach more communities.

Diane’s message was a meaningful reflection of this year’s theme, “𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐝𝐨𝐬, 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐬 𝐌𝐚́𝐬” — 𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐖𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞, and a reminder of what we can accomplish when we learn, connect, and work together.

Thank you, Diane, for sharing your knowledge and helping us continue to celebrate and learn throughout Latine Heritage Month.

09/24/2026

“𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐥.”

Those words from Adnan captured the heart of our 𝟏𝟏𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 and the power of being supported, heard, and given the opportunity to grow.

Adnan and his mother, Sameena, shared how Fred Finch East Bay Wraparound has helped Adnan find new ways to communicate, build confidence, navigate experiences that once felt overwhelming, and discover new possibilities in everyday life.

We also honored Tom Alexander with the 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐅. 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 in recognition of his more than two decades of service to Fred Finch and 45 years dedicated to serving children, youth, families, and communities.

To our sponsors, donors, board members, community partners, staff, families, and friends—thank you for being part of this celebration and for supporting the work we do. Your generosity and partnership help make moments like Adnan’s possible.

𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: https://www.fredfinch.org/impactcelebration

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐀𝐝𝐧𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐚’𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲: https://www.fredfinch.org/post/finding-his-voice-how-family-centered-support-helped-adnan-build-confidence-and-connection

09/18/2026