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Amani Mental Health Training Program

The Amani Mental Health Training Program provides new education and employment opportunities in the mental health field for Black/African American city residents and grows the number of mental health professionals trained to meet the urgent need for Afri-centric, culturally responsive mental health and wellness in San Francisco.

Amani is a Health Services training program funded through the office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) through the Dream Keepers Initiative (DKI).

The purpose is to support our students through their healing and educational journey to further their abilities to heal and support their communities.

We want to extend our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming interest and enthusiasm you've shown in the Amani Program. We are truly inspired by the passion and commitment from everyone who applied.


At this time, our application period has officially closed. We are excited to move forward with this initiative and look forward to the impact it will create.

For those who were unable to apply this time, we hope you’ll stay connected for future opportunities.

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Program Overview

Program Curriculum is broken down into 3 focus “Frames” 

1

Inward Journey – Participants will be engaged in a self-reflective inner journey that focuses on identifying, understanding and addressing personal experiences and history that has informed their behaviors, thoughts, and beliefs.​

2

Cultural and Community Professionalism – Engage, learn, and collaborate with other community members to build and improve communication styles, counseling skills, and community engagement to better understand how to address the whole person/whole system for greater healing through a deep cultural connection. â€‹

3

Workforce Development – Engage in an extensive and supportive process to improve workforce preparedness for employment that includes support from Training Staff and community partners. Participants have an opportunity to be placed in a temporary, part-time or full-time job placement based on their individual skills, efforts, and application.

Vision and Goals

The program:

 

  • Trains Black San Franciscans in Afri-Centric approaches to mental health and holistic well-being.

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  • Furthers their careers in roles like Community Health Workers, Peer Support Specialists, and other in health based fields.

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  • Provides an alternative entry point and training opportunities beyond traditional academic environments.

Classmates in Library

Program Structure

  • 8-month long training program: October - May 

  • Students attend a 1.5hr group training once weekly

    • Wednesdays, 6 pm - 8 pm

  • 1:1 consultation sessions for participants with assigned Amani Trainer biweekly

  • Encouragement (and sometimes requirement) to attend social and political events that support professional development, cultural / community engagement, and network building

  • Amani students receive a monthly stipend while enrolled in the program 

  • Virtual and in-person meetings

Amani Mantra

Today, I pledge to be a conduit for change. I will live honorably through my thoughts, actions and speech. I will serve before I demand, I will love and not hate, and I will give before I take. I walk my path in a way that inspires others to walk their own, radiating self-love and strength. I choose to make a difference in my community and to be part of something bigger than myself. I am in charge of my energy, my voice and my actions. I speak with love, act of love and walk in love. I live my life in such a way that I will uplift the Black community for the better by bringing forth Amani (peace).

Join our 2024-2025
Amani Cohort 

Email: amani@hcnkids.org

Dream Keeper Initiative: https://www.dreamkeepersf.org/

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