Mentoring POC Healing Arts
  • Connects Black and Latinx youth with community mentors for guidance on personal, educational, career, and mental health goals
  • Integrates art, mentoring, mental health education, and cultural relevance into every program component
  • Provides mental health workshops inspired by local artists’ creative work
  • Offers individualized one-on-one mentoring sessions to support youth growth and skill development

The Vibes

Guidance
Exploration
Artistic Expression
Critical Reflection
Support
Independence
Connection
Leadership
Skill Building
Application

Black and Latinx youth are lacking guidance and direction. Mentoring POC Healing Arts connects adolescents and young adults to other community members who can guide them on personal, education/career, and mental health related goals. POC integrates art, mentoring, mental health, and culture to this program. Mentoring POC exposes Black and Latinx youth to mental health tools through mental health workshops that are inspired by the artwork that local artists share in their artists workshops in addition to the one-on-one individualized mentoring sessions.

The Program Leaders

Noemi Francisco
Youth Lead Chair
Noemi Francisco serves as the Mentoring Psyches of Color Healing Arts Youth Lead Chair at Psyches of Color. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, she currently resides in the South-Central Los Angeles and Downtown area. She is a third-year psychology student at California State University, Long Beach, pursuing her bachelor’s degree in psychology. Noemi joined Psyches of Color because of her interest in the mental health field and her desire to give back to the community where she grew up. She is passionate about increasing access to culturally responsive mental health support and creating spaces where individuals feel heard, seen, and understood. She was especially drawn to Psyches of Color’s approach to integrating art, healing, and mental health through its diverse programs, particularly the Mentoring Psyches of Color Healing Arts Program. Noemi is committed to supporting initiatives that promote healing, creative expression, and meaningful connections while helping foster a community where individuals feel empowered to prioritize their mental well-being.
Yarlyn Ramirez
Youth Program Chair
Yarlyn Ramirez serves as the Mentoring POC Healing Arts (MPOCHA) Youth Program Chair at Psyches of Color. Originally from South Central Los Angeles, she holds bachelor's degrees in Psychological Science and Spanish from the University of California, Irvine. She is interested in pursuing further education to become a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) or Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT). Yarlyn joined Psyches of Color because of its diverse range of programs and initiatives and its commitment to creating safe, welcoming spaces for diverse communities. She admires the organization's dedication to supporting and uplifting individuals from different backgrounds. Passionate about mental health and building strong, supportive communities, Yarlyn views her involvement with Psyches of Color as a meaningful opportunity to expand her knowledge, learn from the experiences and perspectives of others, and help foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. She is also excited to build new connections, grow personally and professionally, and give back through community engagement. Yarlyn believes Psyches of Color provides an opportunity to continue learning while making a positive impact alongside others who share her commitment to mental health, inclusion, and community empowerment.
Ugomma "Clara" Mmereole
MPOCHA Research Intern
Ugomma “Clara” Mmereole serves as a Mentoring POC Healing Arts (MPOCHA) Research Intern at Psyches of Color. Originally from Imo State, Nigeria, she currently resides in Lagos, Nigeria. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Caritas University in Enugu, Nigeria. Ugomma joined Psyches of Color to be part of a community where individuals feel seen, valued, and empowered. She appreciates environments that encourage personal growth and provide support through both challenges and successes. Through her involvement with POC, she hopes to build meaningful connections, learn from the experiences and perspectives of others, and contribute positively to a community committed to mental health, healing, and empowerment.
Rosalinda Arias
Program Chair
Rosalinda Arias serves as the Mentoring POC Healing Arts Program Chair at Psyches of Color and is based in Hacienda Heights, California. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California State University Channel Islands and is currently pursuing post-baccalaureate studies in psychology at the University of California, Irvine. Her experience spans mental health outreach, peer support, clinical research, and community engagement across academic and nonprofit settings. Rosalinda joined Psyches of Color because she believes in the power of mentorship, community, and creating opportunities for young people to grow into future leaders and mental health advocates. She was especially drawn to the Mentoring POC Healing Arts Program because it combines mentorship, mental health, and creative expression. Art has played a meaningful role in her personal growth and well-being, and she is passionate about helping young people discover similar opportunities for healing, self-expression, and connection.
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Supported
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