The Guidance Center

The Guidance Center Since 1946, The Guidance Center has been a beacon and provider of hope for our community’s most disadvantaged children and families.

The Guidance Center provides comprehensive mental health treatment to our community's most disadvantaged children and their families struggling with mental illness and abuse, leading them toward a positive and productive future. Our diverse team of dedicated, compassionate individuals annually leads more than 3,000 children and families struggling with mental health issues and abuse toward positive and productive futures through comprehensive mental health treatment. Headquartered in Long Beach, The Guidance Center serves the communities of Compton, Greater Long Beach, Lynwood, Paramount, San Pedro, and Avalon on Catalina Island. We envision a community where all children have the help they need to be healthy and happy so we partner with local organizations to ensure that no child is without support – wherever they may be. You can find members of our team out in the community meeting with children on school campuses within the Long Beach, Los Angeles, Paramount and Lynwood Unified School Districts, collaborating with staff on patient care plans at Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital, and counseling families at Century Villages at Cabrillo. As a founding member, The Guidance Center plays a key leadership role in the Long Beach Safety Net Collaborative. We’re also active members of the Long Beach Human Trafficking Task Force. If you know a child who is depressed, has experienced trauma or struggling with mental health in any way, call us for support: 565-595-1159.

01/26/2026

Isha Bhatt, LPCC, helps children at our Compton site feel safe enough to open up — often through play, creativity, and quiet connection.

She shares how much the community has taught her and why she’s proud to be someone who holds space for healing to begin. 💚

🎥 Watch her story: link in bio


For we’re sharing this special activity to help you pause, breathe, and recharge. Pick one square or go for a full bin...
01/22/2026

For we’re sharing this special activity to help you pause, breathe, and recharge. Pick one square or go for a full bingo. Remember, every small step counts. 💚

How will you take care of your mental health today?

Our Food Pantry is now open at the Family Resource Center. 🥫🍎Through our partnership with the LA Regional Food Bank, fam...
01/20/2026

Our Food Pantry is now open at the Family Resource Center. 🥫🍎

Through our partnership with the LA Regional Food Bank, families and individuals can access free groceries in a supportive and respectful environment. Items may vary based on availability, but typically include canned food, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, and dry goods.

📍 Family Resource Center, The Guidance Center (1301 Pine Avenue, Long Beach)

✨Hours of Operation✨

• Tuesday–Thursday | 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
• Friday | 10:30 AM–5:00 PM
• Saturday | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM

No appointment necessary; bags are provided 🛒

Want to help support the pantry?
We are accepting non-perishable food donations as well as hygiene kit items and menstrual products. To coordinate a drop-off or pick-up, please contact Julio at jperez@tgclb.org

At The Guidance Center, we believe meeting basic needs is an essential part of mental health and family well-being. 💚

On , we honor Dr. King’s legacy by showing up for our communities with care, compassion, and action. In observance of t...
01/19/2026

On , we honor Dr. King’s legacy by showing up for our communities with care, compassion, and action. In observance of the holiday, The Guidance Center is closed today, Monday, January 19, as we reflect on the importance of service and continue our work to support the mental health and well-being of children, families, and neighbors in need. 💚

Here are a few ways to take action in your community:

⭐ MLK Day of Service – Leadership Long Beach
📅 Monday, 1/19 | 8AM–9:30 AM (kick-off breakfast) & 10AM–2 PM (service projects across Long Beach)
🔗 leadershiplb.org/mlk

⭐ L.A. Works MLK Day Volunteer Festival
📅 Monday, 1/19 | 12–4 PM
📍 LA Memorial Coliseum | 3911 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90037
🔗 laworks.com/mlk

⭐ MLK Jr. Food Distribution Event
📅 Wednesday, 1/21 | 4:30–6:30 PM
📍 915 W. Manchester Ave, Los Angeles
📞 (323) 789-4717

Every act of service makes a huge difference. Let’s continue building a community rooted in equity, dignity, and care. 💚

✨ Only 8 spots left for our Art & Wellness workshop next week! ✨We’re excited to partner with artist Wendie Appel of Tin...
01/15/2026

✨ Only 8 spots left for our Art & Wellness workshop next week! ✨

We’re excited to partner with artist Wendie Appel of Tiny Art Stories on a special creative experience at our Family Resource Center. 🎨This family-friendly workshop is designed to support emotional wellness through art, creativity, and connection.

📅 Wednesday, January 21 | 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
📍 Family Resource Center, The Guidance Center (1301 Pine Ave)

Spots are limited, so we encourage families to register soon.
👉 RSVP here: bit.ly/TinyArtStoriesFRCWorkshop

01/13/2026

For the past 8 years, Kristin McNeese, LCSW, has been a cornerstone of The Guidance Center. She brings a passion for justice and a commitment to creating those vital “third spaces” where our community can feel heard and supported. From the start, she knew she wanted to be someone who learns, listens, and shows up for folks in need.

Tap the link in our bio for the full video on Kristin and learn about the heart behind her work at The Guidance Center. 💚

✨January Events at The Guidance Center's Family Resource Center✨We’re excited to welcome the community to these upcoming...
01/04/2026

✨January Events at The Guidance Center's Family Resource Center✨

We’re excited to welcome the community to these upcoming events at our new Family Resource Center. Each gathering is designed to support families, caregivers, and children with connection, creativity, and care.

☕ January 7 – Coffee Meet & Greet | 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
🎬 January 8 – Movie Night | 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
🎨 January 21 – Art & Wellness Event | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

📍 The Guidance Center, Long Beach | 1301 Pine Avenue
💚 Free and open to the community!

Save this post to stay up to date. We can’t wait to see you!

✨New year, same commitment to care✨We’re stepping into 2026 grounded in purpose and community. 💚This year marks 80 years...
01/01/2026

✨New year, same commitment to care✨

We’re stepping into 2026 grounded in purpose and community. 💚
This year marks 80 years of The Guidance Center supporting children and families, and our commitment to care continues. Stay tuned for special moments throughout the year.

Happy holidays from The Guidance Center! ❤️Because of you, children and families in our community have access to care, s...
12/24/2025

Happy holidays from The Guidance Center! ❤️

Because of you, children and families in our community have access to care, support, and hope. We’re so thankful to be in this work together and wish you peace and warmth this season.

Our clinics will be closed for the holidays and will reopen on Friday, January 2, 2026 at 8:30 am.

The holidays can bring a mix of joy, stress, and everything in between. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take things at yo...
12/24/2025

The holidays can bring a mix of joy, stress, and everything in between. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take things at your own pace 💚

These gentle reminders are here to support you as you move through the season. Taking a moment to check in with yourself and reach out to trusted people in your life can make a difference.

✨ Last chance to make an impact ✨As the year comes to a close, children and families are still relying on access to care...
12/20/2025

✨ Last chance to make an impact ✨

As the year comes to a close, children and families are still relying on access to care. Your generosity helps make therapy, crisis support, parent guidance, and trauma-informed care possible for those who need it most. 💚

We’re working to raise $60,000 by December 31 to ensure our Guidance Center community can continue receiving the care and stability they deserve. We can’t do this without you.

📖 Learn more about how your year-end gift makes an impact: https://bit.ly/LastChanceToGivefor2025

👉 Make your year-end gift by December 31 to help expand access to care.

Wrapping up our Adopt-A-Family donor spotlights with this last incredible group bringing joy and relief to families this...
12/19/2025

Wrapping up our Adopt-A-Family donor spotlights with this last incredible group bringing joy and relief to families this holiday season. 🎁✨

☃️ Wratchford & Fukuyama Families
☃️ Loara Cadavona & Matt Kinley
☃️ The Garden Corp
☃️ Crest Physical Therapy and Wellness
☃️ Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP
☃️ Corbitt-Calhoun Family & Friends
☃️ The Caillouets
☃️ Atomic Rooter & Plumbing
☃️ Uribe Bookkeeping Solutions
☃️ The Swaynes & Family

☃️ LA Harbor Dragons Dragonboat Club
☃️ Girl Scout Troop #5093 (Newcomb Academy)
☃️ Miller Nash LLP
☃️ Aaron & Terri Spencer
☃️ Mairin Finn
☃️ TBWA \ Chiat Day LA
☃️ Elizabeth & Mike Wahba
☃️ DoorTwo Conscious Leadership Consulting (joined by The Guidance Center’s Development team)

If you weren’t able to participate in Adopt-A-Family this year, you can still support children and families in our Guidance Center community. Visit tgclb.org/donate to make an impact now. 💚

Address

1301 Pine Avenue
Long Beach, CA
90813

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 8pm
Tuesday 8am - 8pm
Wednesday 8am - 8pm
Thursday 8am - 8pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+15625951159

Website

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