History

As a therapist, I worked for several years with unaccompanied Spanish-speaking children who crossed the border to reunite with family members in the United States. Through this work, parts of my heart that were closed opened up. As I continued my private practice path, I found that Spanish-speaking people needing therapy were numerous, yet resources were scarce. Ayúdate was born because those who work with this population in our area, including myself, were—and still are—at capacity. Meeting this need is a social responsibility, a call for bilingual therapists to collaborate and support the mental health of the Hispanic community.

My own history as an immigrant, combined with the stories of many I’ve met, prompted me to research the resources available in our area. This revealed a real, unmet need. The mission was clear, and Ayúdate began to take shape: a place where culturally and linguistically competent therapists could offer virtual services at affordable rates to people in need, and a place where psychoeducational resources in Spanish could be offered to those interested.

This recognition validated our mission, and “me” became “we.” We incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, assembled a dedicated board of directors, created this website, and formed new partnerships — bringing the project closer to becoming a helpful service to many. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed along the way. Today, our goal is to connect as many services as we can, at an affordable price, to as many people as possible. We invite you to explore our site, register for services, and become part of our community. Please donate if you can, and spread the word! We’re here to help.

As work on Ayúdate formally began, the project was chosen as one of 10 finalists in BNY Mellon’s 2022 UpPrize competition in Pittsburgh, PA — from a field of more than 60 other projects.