AIT-SCM has been providing culturally-based services to Latino and Native American Indian youth and families in the inner-city Westside of San Antonio, Texas for over 10 years. Violent crime; including gang violence, intimate partner violence, and child abuse, and crimes against victims has been of great concern in our community. Many mental health care systems and social service agencies are faced with the dilemma of treating people of color with little or no information on how to handle the cultural and ecological aspects of their communities. There is a great need in our community to provide mental health psychotherapy, counseling, and support groups for victims of violence that has a multicultural sensitivity and vision. A program that offers a process of support and education that promote a sense of awareness, belonging, and an enhanced self. Our prevention program offers a 9 week course and intervention program offers a 13 week course, of character development curriculum for male and their families uses a process that includes practical elements related to culture, education, learning, identity development, male/female relationships, racism, oppression, substance abuse, domestic violence, political/community involvement, and planning for the future as a basis for manhood.

AIT-SCM’s “Healing the Wounded Spirit” Programs provide classes, mentoring, and support groups to nurture and heal the wounded spirit of individuals and families needing mental wellness. Historically Native American Indians and other Indigenous native people have used the forum of the “Talking Circle” to educate, counsel, and gain wisdom, as well as to celebrate the sacred interrelationship that we all share with one another and with our world.

AIT-SCM expands beyond the traditional methods of providing mentoring and support groups by sharing cultural traditions and lifeways to help individuals achieve and maintain balance and harmony in their lives.

“Talking Circles” and other indigenous healing strategies such as storytelling, are designed to include physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of each individual as a basis for direction. The counseling is based on the utilization of the reflection process of teaching and guidance.

Support Groups: Weekly mental health support groups or “Talking Circles” in order to provide counseling, life skills teachings, character development, substance abuse treatment, mentoring and violence prevention for clients.

A multi-cultural curriculum for young fatherhood development. The program works with young fathers to sensitize, inform, and empower them in order to reduce frustration and violent responses that are likely to occur due to disadvantaged economic and social situations. 

With San Antonio leading the state per capita in child abuse and family violence, this culturally-rooted parenting education curriculum helps chart a course towards healing.

Concepts in the trauma-informed process include a dive into identifying generational trauma, the role of traditions and culture, the cycles of life, and the cognitive and relational development of children through the growth stages into adolescence.

In addition to the class time, participants also engage in ongoing mentorship, referral services, and advancing personal goals determined by their personalized plan.