Building Community and Wellness at the Blind Children’s Center

Supporting mental health and well-being is at the heart of Blind Children’s Center (BCC), and during Mental Health Awareness Month, BCC is proud to highlight its holistic, family-centered approach to helping children, parents and caregivers.

At BCC, wellness extends far beyond the classroom. From support groups and parent walks to dental clinics and nutrition workshops, the Center cares for the whole family and empowers parents and caregivers with the tools and resources they need to support their children. 

For Liz Aguirre, assistant director of family services, and Stephanie Vanegas, health and nutrition coordinator, that service begins with trust, connection and community.

“It takes a village,” said Liz. “Parenting is not meant to be done alone.”

For the past four years, Liz has worked closely with families to create spaces where parents and caregivers can connect over shared experiences and challenges. Stephanie, who joined the Center in 2023, educates families on incorporating health and nutrition into their daily routines while providing access to essential healthcare services.

The Center offers several support groups to help families build connection and community. BCC’s monthly Coffee Club, held after school drop-off, is about much more than a cup of joe. 

“Coffee Club is a time for parents to relax and enjoy themselves,” said Liz. “They can sit in silence, socialize with other parents or even take a to-go cup — whatever their need is, BCC will always be there to help fuel their day.” 

Building on positive feedback from Coffee Club participants, parents organized the Move and Thrive Group, which allows caregivers to discuss the unique experiences of raising children with disabilities while walking together. Fathers and male caregivers can support one another monthly through the Raising Dads support group. Led by preschool teacher Saul Valdivia and parent Jason Ano, the program creates opportunities to build community while reinforcing the Center’s commitment to normalizing vulnerability and emotional support. 

“Blind Children’s Center has been a blessing for the community,” said Jason. “There’s not a lot of resources that can compare in terms of the genuine connections here. BCC has been a second home to us.”

Programs like Coffee Club, Move and Thrive and Raising Dads reflect BCC’s broader approach to supporting the entire family.

“If parents are healthy and supported, then that same energy will be passed on to their children,” said Liz. 

As part of its commitment to wellness, BCC hosts nutrition workshops led by a registered dietitian, where parents can ask questions and learn about healthy eating habits and meal planning. Following one workshop, the Center provided groceries and recipes so families could recreate healthy meals at home.

“We want families to feel confident continuing healthy habits outside of school because parents will always be their child’s first teacher,” said Stephanie.

BCC also supports families with other essential health services, including dental, vision and hearing care, regardless of insurance status. Every six months, a dental clinic visits the Center to care for the children, helping remove a major financial burden for some families. Staff members also act as liaisons between parents and nurses to ensure children receive the care they need. Regular vision and hearing screenings are part of BCC’s routine health services, helping families identify potential concerns early and advocate for additional care if needed. The Center offers consultations with mental health specialists upon request and is working to bring immunization services to families in the near future.

No matter what may be happening in the outside world, BCC remains committed to being a safe, inclusive space for Los Angeles families.  

“We believe our families shouldn’t have to navigate these challenges alone,” said BCC Chief Executive Officer Sarah Orth. “That’s why we work to create a community where families feel supported, connected and cared for every step of the way.”

At the Blind Children’s Center, a community is built one conversation, one support group and sometimes one cup of coffee at a time. For more information about the Center and its services, visit BlindChildrensCenter.org/Our-Family-Services.