El Centro de Amistad, a mental health nonprofit agency in Canoga Park, received a $150,000 grant from the L.A.-based Weingart Foundation, according to a statement from the organization. The grant will help fund the cost of developing a real estate plan, identifying new facilities, assessing community needs and expansion costs. Funding will also go toward board of directors training and establishing a fundraising policy. “With support from Weingart Foundation, El Centro de Amistad is able to strengthen our organizational capacity,” Executive Director Tamika Farr said in a statement. “We have many needs in the San Fernando Valley, and grants like these help us to continue providing quality, essential mental health services to children, families and individuals.” El Centro has been part of the San Fernando market for 42 years and has served more than 110,000 individuals. It provides services to about 1,500 children, adults and families every year. Partnerships with other organizations like California’s Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Mental Health and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration help ECDA establish contractual counseling services provided by the organization.
