Healing Together: MANA de San Diego Leads the Way on Well-Being for Latina Youth and their Families

For Dr. Inez González Perezchica, community and giving back have always been guiding principles. Raised in Tijuana by parents committed to helping others, she grew up immersed in a culture of service. ​“I know no other life than to give back,” she says, reflecting on her journey to becoming executive director of MANA de San Diego, an organization empowering Latinas through education, mentorship, leadership development, and advocacy.

MANA de San Diego was recently awarded a grant as part of a $6 million initiative to support local organizations focused on the mental and emotional well-being of youth in San Diego County. This funding enables preventive care strategies like garden therapy, summer camps, open mic nights, and clinical therapy. The initiative reaches diverse groups across 600 square miles, including rural students, Native communities, children of military families, refugees, and unhoused individuals.

Dr. González Perezchica first came to MANA as a young volunteer, hoping to make a small contribution. As it turned out MANA’s board of directors needed a board secretary, and she stepped up to fill the role. ​“In Spanish, you say ​‘granito de arena’ – your little contribution,” she says. ​“I thought I was making a small contribution, but I ended up gaining so much more than I gave.” Today, as executive director, she brings that same sense of commitment to her work, leading an organization that serves families across the region and relies on hundreds of volunteers.

Founded 38 years ago as a volunteer-run local chapter of a national group, MANA has grown to include eight staff members and five core programs. One of its hallmark efforts is Hermanitas, a mentorship program pairing Latina girls with mentors who guide them from middle school through high school and into college. Many mentors stay connected for years, forming lifelong bonds. ​“Some of my best friends come from MANA,” Dr. González Perezchica says.

In 2016, MANA launched the College Success Program to assist first-generation college students navigating higher education. With guidance, resources, and emotional support, 93 percent of participants graduate college within six years. Volunteers, affectionately called ​“tias,” – or ​“aunties” – send care packages and notes to students, offering encouragement to those balancing school, work, and family responsibilities.

MANA’s focus on helping young people to build social networks has also proven vital. Many program alumni return as volunteers, creating a cycle of support that strengthens the community.

This focus on social bonds has become especially relevant as the organization addresses mental health. With support from the Conrad Prebys Foundation, MANA has expanded mental health programs for young Latinas and their families. Virtual sessions led by experts help college students and young alumni MANAge challenges like the fear of disappointing others – a common struggle for young Latinas navigating family and societal pressures, she says. ​“We teach them that it’s okay to ask for help,” Dr. González Perezchica says. 

MANA also works with parents, helping them understand and support their daughters’ mental health needs. By bridging cultural gaps, MANA strengthens families and promotes open conversations about stress, anxiety, and depression – issues often overlooked in Latino communities, according to Dr. González Perezchica.

Dr. González Perezchica sees the Prebys grant as transformative — not just because of the financial resources, but because it’s a multi-year commitment. ​“It’s one of the first multi-year grants we’ve received, and it makes a huge difference,” she says. ​“You can’t hire someone with a one-time $10,000 grant. But with a multi-year commitment, we can be bold. We can make a bigger impact.”

Looking ahead, Dr. González Perezchica aims to broaden MANA’s reach, advocating for Latinas while continuing to provide individual support. ​“MANA is a platform for anyone who wants to make a difference,” she says. ​“I’m grateful every day to be part of it.” Through her leadership, MANA has become a family that nurtures young Latinas and a community where they find the support and encouragement to thrive.