Airport Marina Counseling Service brought the community together to spotlight their mission and raise money to support their efforts in delivering low-cost mental health services to the community at their 18th Annual Spring into Well-Being Celebration. The event was held during Mental Health Awareness Month on May 18 at LMU’s Drollinger Family Stage and broke records, not only for attendance, but also money raised. Thanks to the efforts of major sponsors and close to 400 attendees, who pledged donations and participated in the silent and live auctions, the night raised more than $390,000.
“We’re so excited that the community recognizes the important role AMCS plays in making sure everyone has access to mental health services,” says AMCS CEO Eden Garcia-Balis.
The Spring into Well-Being Celebration was also a chance to recognize LAWA CEO Justin Erbacci as AMCS’ 2023 Community Builder honoree.
For more than 60 years, AMCS has provided mental health services to clients on a sliding scale, while training new therapists. The organization now offers counseling seven days a week–in-person and virtually–to clients across the LAX area and throughout Los Angeles County. In addition to providing therapeutic services to individuals, families, children and couples, AMCS also offers a variety of group counseling options on topics like “Woman’s Process Group,” “Navigating your 20s” and a “Men’s Support Group.”
Pictured:
1. AMCS’ Eden Garcia-Balis poses with honoree Justin Erbacci (center) and event attendees.
2. Members of the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club have fun at the celebration.
3. Nearly 400 people attend the sold-out fundraiser at LMU.
4. Attendees Lori Peters, Kelli Trombley, Airport Commissioner Nick Roxborough and LAWA’s Nicole Carcel have a red carpet moment.
5. Event chair Janie Guthrie Skjervem addresses the crowd.
6. Westchester Mental Health Guild members support AMCS.
7. Incoming chamber board chair, Ravi Singh (second from left), poses for a group selfie with colleagues.
8. Mental health supporter Jane St. John toasts the crowd.
9. Community members enjoy networking at the event. From left to right: John Loussararian, Maria Canchola, Mary-Catherine Micka and Heather and Kevin Ivey.
10. Spring into Well-Being major sponsors Karen Dial (second from left) and John and Nancy Edwards (right) get ready for the event to start.
Photos by Venice Paparazzi.