By Redaccion
redaccion@latinocc.com
Nonprofit organization Childhood Matters will celebrate the grand opening of its new Childhood Matters Wellness Center on Thursday, April 24, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house from 4 to 6 p.m. at 2982 Martha Drive in Ventura.
The event will begin with welcome remarks from a representative of the Ventura Chamber of Commerce, followed by brief speeches from Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko and Childhood Matters founder and CEO Shaleena Tareen.
The new center is the result of a meaningful collaboration between Childhood Matters, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, and the Ventura County Family Justice Center (VCFJC). Provided by the DA’s office, the space will offer low- to no-cost counseling services, therapeutic activities, and trauma-informed educational workshops for children, youth, and families in the county.
It will also serve as a training site for Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) students, starting with a cohort from Pepperdine University.
“We are proud to support an initiative that not only expands access to care but also helps grow the next generation of mental health professionals,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “The Wellness Center is another step toward healing-centered justice and creating safe, supportive environments for those who need it most.”
After the speeches, attendees will gather at the main entrance for the official ribbon cutting with DA Nasarenko and Ms. Tareen. Guests will then be invited to tour the center, enjoy refreshments, and meet the staff and volunteers.
The event will also highlight several of the center’s key programs, including grief and stress coping toolboxes designed to support children during difficult transitions; trauma-sensitive “Safe Spaces” located within the Family Justice Center and Hall of Justice; the Youth Ambassador Program, which empowers young mental health advocates to lead change in their communities; and community workshops focused on trauma-informed education, conducted in partnership with the Ventura County Office of Education.
“Childhood Matters was founded on the belief that every child deserves to feel safe, seen, and supported,” said Tareen. “We are incredibly grateful for the collaboration and dedication of the DA’s Office, the VCFJC, and all the volunteers, donors, and ambassadors who helped bring this vision to life.”
Also in attendance will be Comet and Trakr, courthouse therapy dogs who serve with the District Attorney’s Office and will be mingling with guests throughout the evening.
For more information about Childhood Matters and its programs, visit: childhoodmatters.org
