Mental health clinic fundraiser

Toys, clothes, and even furniture were on available Saturday, at the second annual Child Guidance Center rummage sale.

“We have items from several different people that decided to just donate various used materials, we also have people here that donated their services in other ways,” said Christina Rodriguez, the event organizer.

The center has been open for 61 years, and some say it struggles to stay open. The rummage sale is one of four yearly fundraising events. The center is staffed by professional therapists who treat children suffering from mental health issues.

“The hope that we hold on to is that we can help kids and families get back on track emotionally after suffering from some really hard stuff, and we also hope to prevent several mental health issues,” said Cathy Gaytan, executive director of the Children Guidance Center.

The Child Guidance Center said about 60 percent of their patients are on Medicaid, with another 20 percent being completely uninsured. They said they depend on fundraisers like this for more than a fifth of their funding.

“If we don’t stay open, who is going to take care of the over 600 children that we see annually?” asked Martin Lopez, board president for the CGC.

Although the center mainly treats children, they have no age limit. The center helps anyone from children that have gone through sexual abuse to soldiers with PTSD. They say they’re trying to get rid of the stigma associated with these issues.

Members if the Center say it’s important to educate schools and the public on mental health.

If you would like to help the Child Guidance Center through donations or volunteering you can call (915) 562-1999.