International Roots to Serve an
International Community
Our History
Before Intercultural Coalition for Family Wellness was established as a formal organization in 2005, its founder (Cathi Tillman, founder of LPA) and numerous colleagues had spent several years traveling to Ecuador providing training support to a growing movement in the mental health field: to shift systems of mental health care to focus on whole families and the complexity of dynamics in these relational systems. Our international colleagues continue the focus of their work with families in underserved communities: families who are struggling and suffering due to poverty, addiction, violence, migration and political oppression; families who do not have the resources to access the therapeutic support which could alleviate their pain and provide strategies to prevent future harm and instill hope for generations to come.
While the history of ICFamWell is rooted in its international work, the establishment of La Puerta Abierta (The Open Door), initiated in 2010, has enabled the organization to better serve immigrant communities in the Delaware Valley and beyond in desperate need of Spanish language mental health services. The vision of the locally-based work of La Puerta Abierta began from the realization that a large part of the local Philadelphia community had been excluded from mental health support and services due to various obstacles, including language, funding, legal status, cultural differences, and the stigma many members of immigrant communities associate with mental health challenges.
Our Values
Dignity: Respect for the worth of every person, recognition and commitment to the value of all individuals and perspectives.
Collaboration: LPA’s mission depends upon its relationships with other community members, providers and organizations that are part of the overall fabric of our society. LPA’s collaborative work is characterized by trust, transparency, and commitment to the highest standards of learning and care.
Integrity: Honesty, justice, and consistency in all relationships.
Compassion: LPA’s work across all communities is offered in a spirit of empathy, love, and concern for all.
Stewardship: LPA prides itself in the efficient and thoughtful use of resources that reflects its commitment to population health as well as the health of our planet.
Our Guiding Principles
We believe that all human beings are inherently valuable and deserving of safety, support, and opportunities to heal and thrive. We understand that - given the current state of the world, in which interpersonal, community, and state violence and global inequity abound - accessing safety, support, and opportunity sometimes requires fleeing one’s homeland. We recognize migration as a fundamental human right and an act of profound bravery, hope, and loss.
We believe that emotional and relational wellness is an integral part of overall health and wellbeing for individuals, families, and communities. We believe that all people have the capacity to heal, transform, and aid in the healing of others. We honor the wisdom that comes form lives experience; celebrate family, culture, and community as powerful sources of strength and healing; and recognize the value of therapeutic relationship building.
We see it as our responsibility to care for one another and to mitigate, an individual and structural levels, the harm caused by oppressive systems and unjust laws. We are committed to holding space for immigrant community members to share their stories; to bearing witness to their trauma, pain, and loss; and to uplifting their joy, strength, and resilience.
Our Team
LPA’s team consists of a committed team of individuals. LPA maintains a team of bilingual, specially trained individuals who provide clinical services with youth, adults, and families and assist with training, supervision and oversight of the organizational work. This work is support by interns and volunteers. Interns represent master-level social work, psychology and family therapy programs from local universities, and required to be bilingual (English/Spanish) and with a special interest in working with immigrant and refugee communities. In addition, LPA depends upon volunteers who offer assistance in different capacities, enriching the work of LPA by providing clinical counseling, administrative assistance, supervision of interns, development of materials, program development and fundraising. All of this is overseen by a committed Board of Directors, which provides leadership to the organization. Click below to learn more about our staff, interns, and board of directors.