One of the principles of Kwanzaa, the African American holiday, Ujima represents collective work and responsibility. This spirit is captured in Ujima Adult and Family Services as it strives to unite the community to work together building on strengths, creating opportunities and developing skills. Created in January 1991 as the Ujima Youth Program under the umbrella organization, the South Bay Association of Black Social Workers, Inc., this Africentric organization became a non- profit cooperation in July 1994. It's mission is to improve the quality of life for African Americans by providing African American centered mental health, counseling and support services. Ujima's services incorporate both African and African American history, culture norms and values as a center the organizations activities. They also incorporate advocacy as part of their service to the African American community, challenging the policies and services in the community.
Services of the Ujima Adult and Family Services, Inc. include:
African American Adult Program: This program provides Africentric mental health services for the seriously mentally ill 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Services include case management, medications, treatment and crisis intervention. This program is community home based providing quality support for it's clients.
African American Parenting Classes: These groups highlight the strengths and traditions of the African American family. The program acknowledges the specialized skills necessary for raising children in an oppressive and discriminatory environment.
African America Youth Program: Provides home based mental health services to youth and their families involved in the Juvenile Justice System. These services focus on building family strengths, increasing involvement in community resources and educational programs, and preventing contact with the justice system.
African American Survival Skills Group: This group focuses on survival skills for both the individual and the family as a whole. Group leaders utilize their knowledge of African American culture and the skills they have developed to empower African American youth and help create a sense of community. For the family there is also a skills group which involves both parents and youth. This program helps family members acknowledge strengths and improve their skills to create a strong family environment.
For more information please contact the number above.
Further Reading:
Lisa Chen, "Drug Problem Targets Black Youth: 'African American Male Survival Skills' Course Offered to those 'At Risk.' 'We're Starting off the Course Talking About Male Identity as it Relates to African Heritage'-- Gail Ortega, Program Coordinator", San Jose Mercury News, Wednesday, 17 February 1993, Morning Final Edition, East Extra Sec., p. 1 Erin Kimura
