The Relational Center, a nonprofit community mental health agency, has had a profound impact on many lives, including mine. Since joining TRC as a volunteer in 2019, then as a trainee and now a registered Associate Marriage & Family Therapist, I've gained invaluable clinical training in a relational approach to counseling. I've had the honor of working with people from diverse backgrounds and I've found a community of friends and colleagues dedicated to mutual empathy, interdependence, and social justice. And since the early days of COVID-19, TRC has also been a primary source of my social connection. (So. Much. Zoom.)

TRC's services have continued without interruption during the pandemic. Despite a decrease in our overall fundraising, TRC continues to grow. In the past 2 years:

• The number of folks we serve has increased by about 45%
• Our workforce has grown by about 45%
• We offered educational workshops and a number of free, community-based virtual support groups for anyone struggling with isolation, grief & loss, trauma, relational distress, and the structural impact on our overall sense of safety and wellness. 
• We have become known as a good resource for progressive activists and organizers and we are proud to support the many social justice movements that we are connected to through them.
• We've started two new programs. We are working with: 1) Immigrant Defenders Law Center to provide therapy to folks in the asylum process,  2) ChildHelp to provide counseling to Transition Age Youth in Los Angeles.
• And all of that without raising our fees for our members. We use a sliding scale, and the average cost to our members is about $75 per month. PER MONTH! So that's sort of the equivalent of offering therapy for about $18 per session.

The Relational Center is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that relies on donations to provide affordable services to our community. Our goal is to raise $50,000 during this appeal. While major donors play a role in our fundraising efforts, it's supporters like YOU who are consistently able to give $10, $20, $50 year after year that sustain us.  

I would be personally honored if you would consider making TRC part of your year-end giving plans. Your generous gift, of ANY amount, will continue to help TRC bring the practices of empathy and compassion to help heal ourselves, each other and our world. 

Wishing you peace, safety and connection today and always. 

With Love and Appreciation, 

Kimberly