Homeless Children’s Network (HCN), is thrilled to announce the launch of Entre Nosotros ("Within Us"), a groundbreaking initiative designed to provide holistic, culturally-rooted mental health support for Latine-identified and Spanish-speaking individuals, families, and youth in San Francisco. The Latine community in San Francisco has faced challenges, from rising homelessness to mental health stigmatization. With Entre Nosotros, HCN aims to address these urgent needs through trauma-informed care and community-driven healing practices.
To delve deeper into the program’s mission and the driving forces behind its creation, we sat down with Jennifer Calderon, Director of Behavioral Health, and Daniel Molina, Program Manager for Entre Nosotros. In the video below, they share their insights on how this initiative is set to make a meaningful impact in the Latine community.
Watch the Full Interview:
Jennifer and Daniel discuss the importance of cultural identity in healing, the unique needs of Latine families, and their vision for destigmatizing mental health in San Francisco’s Latine community.
About Entre Nosotros
Building on HCN’s successful Ma’at Clinical Model, Entre Nosotros combines culturally responsive approaches with a whole-person philosophy of care. The program is tailored to meet the distinct needs of Latine families, especially those navigating intergenerational trauma, language barriers, and the complexities of immigration.
The Latine population in San Francisco is growing, with a significant increase in homelessness and housing insecurity among Latine youth and families. These stressors heighten the demand for culturally sensitive mental health services. Entre Nosotros steps in to fill this gap by offering bilingual, holistic care—bridging the disconnect many families face when trying to access mainstream mental health services.
Addressing Stigma and Building Community
One of the most vital aspects of Entre Nosotros is its focus on destigmatizing mental health within the Latine community. Through the integration of cultural traditions and indigenous healing practices like art, music, and breathwork, the program reconnects mental health with cultural identity, offering individuals and families a path to wellness that resonates with their values.
In the interview, Jennifer Calderon highlights how Entre Nosotros will empower the Latine community by grounding mental health services in practices that celebrate cultural identity. These practices help break down barriers to seeking care, ensuring that individuals feel seen and supported throughout their healing journey.
Holistic, Trauma-Informed Support for Diverse Latine Populations
Daniel Molina shares his immediate goals for the program’s pilot phase, which will focus on providing services to 130 people across San Francisco. The program will expand mobile services to reach families living in shelters and vehicles, ensuring that even the most vulnerable Latine individuals have access to care.
Entre Nosotros will also focus on providing support to several subgroups, including newcomers, transitional-age youth, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. By tailoring services to meet the unique needs of these diverse populations, the program ensures that everyone can find a safe space for healing.
HCN is actively seeking support to scale Entre Nosotros to additional shelters, schools, and community centers across the Bay Area. With increased funding, the program will expand to serve even more Latine families and grow its outreach to Afro-Latine and LGBTQIA+ communities.
Join Us in Supporting Entre Nosotros
At its core, Entre Nosotros is about creating spaces where Latine families can feel empowered, connected, and cared for. HCN has used its experience with the Ma’at program to design a model that is both community-informed and culturally aligned. As the program expands, we invite individuals, foundations, and community leaders to partner with us in this important work.
With your support, Entre Nosotros can expand its reach, offering more Latine families access to culturally affirming, trauma-informed mental health care. By partnering with us, you can help destigmatize mental health within the Latine community and empower individuals to reclaim their well-being through holistic healing practices.
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