Caminar Connections: August 2026

Looking Ahead With Caminar

As August begins, summer starts to wind down and many of us turn our attention to what comes next. Whether you're preparing for back-to-school season, searching for a place where you can feel connected and understood, or thinking about the impact you want to make in your community, we're here for you.

Thanks to your support, Caminar can be there for people at every stage of their journey. Now, we're excited to share resources, stories, and opportunities that support you, too.

Exciting New Opportunities at the Caminar Teen and Family Wellness Center – Palo Alto

As back-to-school season approaches, we're here to help make the transition a little easier. The Caminar Teen and Family Wellness Center - Palo Alto is offering a series of free workshops designed to help parents, guardians, and caregivers better understand the stress, pressures, and mental health challenges many teens experience today.

Led by a licensed LMFT and certified trainers, these sessions provide practical tools, expert guidance, and strategies for supporting the young people in your life. Just as importantly, they offer a welcoming space to connect with other caregivers, share experiences, and find encouragement within a supportive community.

Explore the upcoming workshop topics and learn how you can support your teen's well-being here.

Caminar in the News

What Makes a Safe Space?

We recently had the pleasure of welcoming DNA Global, a research and consulting firm dedicated to advancing social impact, for a tour of our LGBTQ Youth Space and programs. During their visit, they sat down with H.E.A.R.T. Program Coordinator Justin Ortiz to discuss the power of community-building, evidence-based care, and the meaningful impact these programs have on LGBTQIA+ youth.

Research consistently shows that LGBTQIA+ young people who have access to protective factors, such as supportive adults, affirming spaces, and strong social connections, experience lower rates of depression and a reduced risk of suicide. These findings are at the heart of our LGBTQ youth programming and guide our commitment to creating environments where young people can feel safe, seen, and valued.

As DNA Global reflected in their article:

"What we found was a program and space rooted in showing up consistently and intentionally for its community."

During their visit, DNA Global experienced firsthand how our team shows up for youth every day. From thoughtfully curated workshops and community-building activities to essential resources and trusted relationships, our programs are designed to support the whole person. By fostering belonging, affirmation, and connection, we help LGBTQIA+ youth build resilience and thrive.

We're grateful to DNA Global for taking the time to learn about our work and share the stories behind it. Read the full article to learn more about the impact of our LGBTQ Youth Space programming here.

What Values Will You Pass Forward?

For many people, estate planning begins with practical considerations, such as caring for loved ones, documenting wishes, and preparing for the future. But estate planning can also be an opportunity to reflect on something deeper: the values, causes and impact you hope to leave behind.

In this month's article, "What Values Will You Pass Forward?", we explore how a simple question can help guide meaningful conversations about family, purpose, legacy and charitable giving.

To recognize August as Make-A-Will Month, we invite you to read our latest article on how you can make a lasting impact here.

If you have any questions about how you can pass your values forward, please reach out to mdunbar@caminar.org.

Impact!

We are pleased to share our Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Impact Report. Thank you for joining Caminar’s mission to build strength and stability through comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment delivered through evidence-based, whole-person care. You are helping to build thriving lives and supportive, uplifting communities!

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