Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic Honors Local Leaders in Childhood Trauma & Homeless Housing

LOS ANGELES, May 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic yesterday honored two distinguished leaders in children's mental health: Childhood trauma expert Marleen Wong, LCSW, Ph.D., and the housing organization A Community of Friends and its CEO Dora Leong Gallo. Both were honored at the Clinic's Annual Awards Luncheon, which celebrates an individual as well as an organization that demonstrate exemplary commitment to children's mental health.

Dr. Wong is a highly regarded pioneer in creating effective responses to childhood trauma.  Her work has assisted children near and far -- from students in Los Angeles' public schools to the survivors of the Columbine tragedy, to children as far away as the Middle East and the Far East.  "Dr. Wong's unrelenting commitment has improved the lives of countless of thousands of children," said Betsy Pfromm, President/CEO of Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic.  "Through her work, Marleen has pioneered interventions that eloquently provide early, trauma-informed care to children most in need."  Dr. Wong -- who has been identified as a "preeminent expert in school crisis and recovery" by the Wall Street Journal -- was awarded the Clinic's Evis Coda Award for Building Hope for Families.

A Community of Friends -- or ACOF -- builds and operates specialized housing for the homeless who are diagnosed with mental illness, including those who head households with children. ACOF CEO Dora Leong Gallo accepted the Clinic's Quinton James Award for Making A Difference for her organization's services and advocacy for the homeless with mental illness who are also parents with dependent children.  Ms. Pfromm lauded ACOF's "compassion, patience and consummate belief in recovery that transforms bricks and mortar into homes with a heart" -- homes that now shelter over 450 children.

The luncheon was graciously emceed by NBC4 general assignment reporter Beverly White, and was held at The California Endowment Center for Healthy Communities.  

About Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic:  The mission of the Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic is to provide quality mental health services by ensuring easy access and promoting early intervention.  This is achieved by providing family-centered and culturally sensitive mental health services and specialized educational services to seriously emotionally disturbed children.  

SOURCE Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic