The Need
Stressors of adverse childhood experiences, traumatic exposure, and complex trauma – exacerbated by a pandemic year – have resulted in an alarming increase in anxiety, depression, and youth suicide. The recent California Surgeon General’s Report, Roadmap to Resilience, highlights the fact that youth of color are 20%-50% less likely to remain engaged in traditional mental health services. The report suggests that “stress busting” prevention and treatment of serious emotional disturbance and substance use is possible by developing relationships from non-parental adults, physical exercise, and access to nature. This is the essence of our 4Roots Method.
Our Solution
Our innovative approach allows youth to build skills and learn emotional regulation while living at home, staying in school, and remaining in their community. Currently, 52% of Gateway’s caseload are LatinX youth. Special care is taken to hire LatinX therapeutic mentors and case managers who can provide a positive, trusting experience.
We are strength-based, trauma-informed, and person-centered, which supports mentees in connecting with themselves. Using nature as a guide, a metaphor, and a literal playground; participants learn new ways to improve their internal and external relationships and to create intentional pathways.
Our solution-focused experience helps youth address a range of issues including anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, grief & loss, difficulties with concentration, self-esteem, identity development, relational distress, family of origin concerns, and major life changes.
Each individual is unique, gifted, and whole — our framework of connecting them with a caring, non-parental, adult role model allows them to see themselves with fresh eyes. Our participants develop greater resilience, the grit to move through life’s challenges, and the ability to go after their dreams. This new experience of themselves supports them in Root #4, giving back to their communities by helping others.
