We work to create a mentally healthy nation in partnership with many nonprofits closing the mental health care access gap for their communities. Our Annual Awards for Minority Mental Health recognize deserving organizations with this mission. As one of our 2025 awardees put it, “Welcoming 14 distinct organizations from deeply diverse communities for this award shows that the APA Foundation doesn’t just talk the talk—they live it.” Meet the 2025 Awardees for Advancing Minority Mental Health!
Academy of Medical and Public Health Services DBA RaisingHealth Partners
Who They Are
RaisingHealth, formerly known as Academy of Medical and Public Health Services, is a not-for-profit health service organization that supports the sustained well-being and self-advocacy of underserved communities. Since their founding in 2010, they have served over 150,000 immigrants.
How the AAMMH Funds Will Be Used
RaisingHealth is using AAMMH funding to support their bilingual, culturally sensitive Peer Specialists, who are immigrant community members with experience facing mental health challenges. Unique to the RaisingHealth program model, Peer Specialists provide individualized, trauma-informed, wraparound care and social support for community members, helping them transition into or out of mental health counseling, fulfill their basic needs, and work towards personal goals.
From Hewett Chiu, President and CEO of RaisingHealth Partners
“This award is not only a testament to our mental health team’s incredible impact on immigrant New Yorkers but also a recognition of the ongoing, even widening, gap in mental health services in low-income, uninsured communities. I hope RaisingHealth’s receipt of this award will bring more attention to the immense need among immigrant communities for accessible, culturally tailored mental healthcare and support, especially as recent federal immigration actions sow fear and distrust throughout our Brooklyn communities. Now is the time for everyone to step up and activate resources in support of immigrants – and we are so grateful APAF has done so through this award.”
Arcus Behavioral Health (Chicago, IL)
Who They Are
Arcus Behavioral Health and Wellness is a 501(c)(3) community mental health agency. The Arcus mission is to bridge the gap in mental health care for underinsured or uninsured individuals and families, especially LGBTQ+, ethnic/cultural, and immigrant minorities.
How the AAMMH Funds Will Be Used
AAMMH funding will subsidize the Mental Health Equity Fund, which funds therapeutic resources for populations which have been historically harmed or ignored by the mental health field – specifically Black communities.
From Louis V. Haynes, Psy.D., Executive Director of Arcus
“We are deeply humbled and grateful for this recognition. I hope other agencies follow our example, not only in how we approach mental health, but also in our business model and treatment of our staff.”
Casa Esperanza (Greater Boston and Merrimack Valley, MA)
Who They Are
For over 40 years, Casa Esperanza has provided dedicated care to Latine communities as Massachusetts’ only bilingual, culturally responsive continuum of behavioral healthcare. They empower individuals and families to recover from addiction, trauma, mental illness, and other chronic medical conditions; overcome homelessness; and achieve health and wellness.
How the AAMMH Funds Will Be Used
These funds will support the Familias Unidas Behavioral Health Urgent Care model that meets patient at critical points, not with judgement, but with language, compassion, and care reflective of their lived reality.
From Emily Stewart, Chief Executive Officer at Casa Esperanza
“Amid the growing resistance to equity-focused work, Casa Esperanza is especially grateful to the APA Foundation for continuing to recognize the urgent need to invest in effective, culturally responsive care rooted in trust and community voice and choice. This award brings visibility and validation to solutions centered not only on successful service delivery but on sanctuary—creating a safe haven for those most in need.”
The Door (New York, NY)
Who They Are
The Door’s mission is to empower young people to reach their potential by providing comprehensive youth development services in a diverse and caring environment. Broome Street Academy, a tuition-free public charter high school, is embedded at The Door.
How the AAMMH Funds Will Be Used
Funding from AAMMH is supporting The Door’s innovative MSW Program in partnership with NYU Silver School of Social Work, which addresses the critical shortage of culturally responsive mental health providers by enabling committed youth development professionals to earn their MSW degrees without leaving their roles. The program removes financial and structural barriers to graduate education and builds a pipeline of diverse, community-rooted mental health practitioners in New York City.
From Kelsey Louie, MSW, MBA, Chief Executive Officer at The Door
"We’re deeply grateful for the Award for Advancing Minority Mental Health for supporting The Door’s MSW Program in partnership with NYU Silver. This funding helps us strengthen and document a model that removes financial and structural barriers to graduate education while building a pipeline of diverse, culturally affirming mental health professionals. It’s a powerful example of what the future of social work education can and should look like—grounded in equity, lived experience, and service to youth.”
The FACTS Initiative (Charlotte, NC)
Who They Are
In 2018, the Family and Child Therapeutic Services (FACTS) Initiative was created by a pair of mental health clinicians who noticed gaps in the quality of care and access to care in the communities they served. FACTS provides outpatient and community-based therapeutic services for children and families, including parental coaching and couples’ therapy.
How the AAMMH Funds Will Be Used
The AAMMH funding is supporting the FACTS Initiative’s Community Partnership Program by enabling FACTS to provide family therapy sessions to children and caregivers who have experienced trauma. This funding goes directly towards expanding access to these vital services and strengthening FACTS’ work with families in need.
From Aisha Yesher-El, MA, Co-Founder and Engagement and Advocacy Director at the FACTS Initiative
“This award has been instrumental in expanding our ability to meet families where they are, providing safe spaces for healing, fostering resilience, and ultimately, helping children and their caregivers move forward together. We’re so grateful for this investment in our work and the lives of those we serve.”
Families First (Atlanta, GA)
Who They Are
Since 1890, Families First has been improving outcomes for families who have complex challenges by connecting them to internal programs including support services for mental health challenges, parenting education, parenting and adoption support services, and more.
How the AAMMH Funds Will Be Used
The AAMMH enabled Families First to provide approximately 25 counseling and psychiatric sessions for clients with the greatest need, including those who are uninsured and on a sliding scale fee schedule.
From Paula M. Moody, LCSW, MS, Chief Executive Officer at Families First
“Addressing the under-treatment of mental illness in minority communities requires a comprehensive approach involving increased access to affordable and culturally competent care, raising awareness, reducing stigma, and ensuring adequate funding for mental health resources. Thank you, American Psychiatric Association Foundation, for granting Families First’s Vance Center for Behavioral Health the Award for Advancing Minority Mental Health. By tackling these issues in partnership, we can create a more equitable and supportive mental healthcare system for all!”
Homeless Children’s Network (San Francisco, CA)
Who They Are
Founded in 1992, the Homeless Children’s Network (HCN) provides mental and behavioral health services, mental health workforce development, substance use intervention and treatment, early childhood mental health consultation, and more. Their mission is to decrease the trauma of homelessness and domestic violence for children, youth, and families; to empower families; and to increase the effectiveness of collaborative efforts among service providers to end homelessness and poverty.
How the AAMMH Funds Will Be Used
The AAMMH is helping HCN provide innovative, culturally affirming, and trauma-informed mental and behavioral health services to underserved children, youth, and families from historically marginalized communities in San Francisco, regardless of their insurance status, at no cost to families. Critically, this award is also helping bring visibility and raise awareness about HCN’s community-based efforts to increase equity of access to mental health care and provide continuity of service for over 2,500 children, families, and community members annually – including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and housing-insecure families.
From Dr. April Y. Silas, CEO and Founder of Homeless Children’s Network
“I’m proud and humbled to have received the APA Foundation's 2025 Advancing Minority Mental Health Award award on behalf of Homeless Children's Network. This award is a reflection of the power and importance of centering marginalized voices in mental health, and I'm deeply grateful to the incredible team behind this recognition—thank you to APA Foundation Executive Director Rawle Andrews Jr., Esq., and the entire Board for their unwavering commitment to social justice and community care.”
I'Raise Girls and Boys International (New York, NY)
Who They Are
I’Raise doesn’t just treat trauma; they are transforming how an entire generation of youth in New York City public schools experiences healing. Through their Integrative Mental Wellness Model and other services, I’Raise promises to make a difference in the lives of families and improve quality of life for minoritized children.
How the AAMMH Funds Will Be Used
The AAMMH funding is allowing I'RAISE to expand school-based mental health services by hiring and supporting BIPOC clinical staff who provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive therapy to Black and Brown youth in New York City public schools. This includes direct therapeutic services, arts-based healing practices, and workshops for families and educators to strengthen community-wide mental wellness.
From Shanequa Moore, CEO of I’Raise Girls and Boys International Corporation
“Having attended New York City public schools myself, I understand the unique challenges our students face and how crucial it is to have mental health support that truly meets them where they are. The APA Foundation's recognition validates what we've always known—that healing happens when Black and Brown youth see themselves reflected in their therapists and when treatment honors their cultural strengths. This award doesn't just fund our work; it amplifies our belief that every child deserves mental health care that celebrates who they are, not who the system thinks they should be.”
Juvenile Protective Association (Chicago, IL)
Who They Are
Founded in 1901, Juvenile Protective Association is working towards a future where no child ever has to struggle alone. Their mission is to bring compassionate, innovative mental health resources directly to children in need and the adults who support them. Services include therapeutic counseling in and after school, support for child welfare workers, and expert guidance for teachers and school staff.
How the AAMMH Funds Will Be Used
JPA will put the grant towards their individual therapy services, which have been shown to significantly improve the feeling and functioning of vulnerable children at home and in school.
From Karen G. Foley, President and CEO of Juvenile Protective Association
"We are honored to be recognized by the APAF for JPA's work in minority communities. This acknowledgment is a meaningful source of encouragement during challenging times. We are also deeply grateful for the monetary award, which will enhance our ability to provide culturally sensitive services to our young clients and their families."
Parkland Health Foundation (Dallas, TX)
Who They Are
Parkland Health Foundation is an integrated health system established in 1894 that includes an acute care hospital and clinics throughout Dallas County.
How the AAMMH Funds Will Be Used
The AAMMH is enabling Parkland Health to expand its diagnostic assessments for pediatric behavioral health care. Parkland’s pediatric providers have observed a need for psychological diagnostic assessments, specifically for autism and related disorders. There are several low-cost programs in Dallas for children with disorders, but families must have a formal diagnosis to access care. This funding will allow Parkland to continue expanding staffing and physical capacity so more children can receive a formal diagnosis to get the care they need.
From Michael Horne, Ed.D., MPP, President and CEO of Parkland Health Foundation
“Many of the children we serve live in areas identified as high-risk due to complex non-medical drivers of health, including poverty, food insecurity, and a lack of reliable public infrastructure. These barriers disproportionately impact children and families in underserved communities, creating significant obstacles to mental health resources. The funding from AAMMH will allow us to provide the compassionate, high-quality assessments and care for children across Dallas County.”
Southland Integrated Services (Garden Grove, CA)
Who They Are
Through social service programs and a Community Economic Development Project, Southland Integrated Services has touched the lives of tens of thousands of people. With a multilingual medical staff and a diverse patient population, Southland enrolls uninsured children and adults in state-sponsored health insurance programs.
How the AAMMH Funds Will Be Used
Through support from the AAMMH, Southland is able to reinvest in community education by organizing a comprehensive health fair. The event will feature culturally and linguistically inclusive workshops, expert guest speakers, snacks and light refreshments, serving approximately 150-200 community members across English, Vietnamese, and Spanish-speaking populations.
From Clayton Mizutari, Development Director at Southland Integrated Services
“This award holds deep significance for Southland, as it affirms that behavioral health is more than a profession—it is a profound expression of hope, healing, and humanity at every level.”
Therapy Resource Group (Fort Mill, SC and Chester, SC and Charlotte, NC)
Who They Are
Therapy Resource Group is on a mission to build resilient communities by offering accessible, high-quality therapy to each individual who seeks healing and safety. They provide individual therapy, group therapy, therapy resources, and community outreach.
How the AAMMH Funds Will Be Used
The AAMMH award, in the amount of $5,000, will be directly applied to the Starboard Scholarship Program. In 2024, Therapy Resource Group supported over 200 individuals through 2,050 free or reduced-cost, trauma-informed sessions.
From Nicki Gaskins, Executive Director and Clinician at Therapy Resource Group
“Early in my career, I worked in victim services with individuals who had experienced significant trauma. Many of them did not have the financial resources to access the specialized treatment they needed to heal. At Therapy Resource Group, we seek to remove that barrier, because everyone deserves the chance to find hope, safety, and healing.”
TransFamily Support Services (San Diego, CA)
Who They Are
TransFamily Support Services guides transgender/non-binary youth and their families through the gender transitioning process to help make it the most positive experience possible. They provide family coaching, assistance with healthcare and insurance issues, help navigating the legal system, and more – all at no fee.
How the AAMMH Funds Will Be Used
The AAMMH award is supporting TransFamily Support Services’ youth and Latine programming, including free family coaching, peer support groups, trans youth mentorship, and online community spaces. Funding also expands access to their “Gender Junk” program, offering free gender-affirming items to those in need, as well as inclusive insurance navigation services, while strengthening outreach and support for Spanish-speaking families.
From Kathie Moehlig, Development Manager at TransFamily Support Services
“This award allows us to reach even more trans and nonbinary youth—especially those in Latine and underserved communities—with life-affirming support. It’s an investment in mental wellness, belonging, and the power of families standing proudly beside their children.”
The Women’s Initiative (Charlottesville, VA)
Who They Are
The Women’s Initiative offers mental health counseling and programs to women who experience financial or other barriers to care. Their programs are always free.
How the AAMMH Funds Will Be Used
The AAMMH award supports the Sister Circle program for Black women and women of color at The Women’s Initiative. Through Sister Circle, TWI provides free trauma-informed and culturally responsive mental health counseling, therapeutic groups, and mind-body offerings to build resilience and healing for this underserved population.
From Shelly Wood, clinical services director at The Women’s Initiative
“These recognitions are a testament to the community we walk alongside every day. We are honored to be part of the collective movement toward mental health equity and wellness for all.”