Airport Marina Counseling Service

04/24/2026

Come one, come all to AMCS's 6th Annual PrideFest from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, a FREE family-friendly fair with games, speakers, food, and music to celebrate the LGBTQ community, pride, and mental health.

Our keynote speaker is the phenomenal Bamby Salcedo (she/her), trans Latina activist; and our emcee is Dr. Mimi Hoang (she/her), Program Coordinator of the AMCS LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapy Center. We will be featuring "pride stations" with fun and educational activities. And did we mention food, wine, DJ, and prizes?

Community vendors are welcome to apply to host a booth. Come to also learn more about our sliding scale LGBTQ-affirmative psychotherapy services including individual, couples/relationship, and group therapy, as well as our therapist training program. Please reserve your FREE ticket at: bit.ly/pridefest2026

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04/13/2026

Join us for our FREE Seniors Connect Group every Tuesday at the Westchester Senior Center! Connect with new people. Learn how to deal with loneliness. Understand changing families roles as you age. And much, much more!

04/10/2026

Sponsorships are still available for this year's 22nd Annual “Spring into Well-Being Celebration,” which will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel. Join us as we honor 65 Years of Healing – A Community of Heroes, recognizing all of our past honorees. This year's goal is to raise over $350,000.

The "Spring into Well-Being" Celebration is the most important way for AMCS to raise the funds necessary to continue its mission of providing low-cost mental health services and training new mental health professionals.

“We are incredibly proud to honor more than two decades of community leaders whose dedication has helped make accessible mental health care a reality for so many,” said AMCS CEO Eden Garcia-Balis. “This fundraiser is not just a celebration, it’s a powerful reminder that it truly takes a village. From donors and advocates to clinicians and partners, everyone plays a role in ensuring mental health services reach every person who needs them. The funds raised through this annual event help us sustain affordable, community-based care and invest in the ongoing training of our more than 60 therapists each year, so we can continue showing up for our community.”

The Spring Celebration will include a live and silent auction, entertainment by retired NBC4 Weathercaster and comedian Fritz Coleman, and much more!

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. To sponsor the event, please contact Bill Morgan at bmorgan@AMCShelps.com or visit: https://www.amcshelps.com/2026-spring-celebration

04/08/2026

The Westchester Mental Health Guild invites you to a fun evening of pairing special wines with delicious food at Cantalini's Salerno Beach Restaurant to benefit Airport Marina Counseling Service:

6 p.m., Monday, April 20, 2026
at
Cantalini's Salerno Beach Restaurant
193 Culver Boulevard in Playa del Rey

An amazing evening of wines paired with five courses of Cantalini’s delicious creations.

Welcome
Bisol “Crede” Prosecco Valdobbiadene DOCG

First Course
Elena Walch Pinot Bianco
Alto Adige, Italy 2023

Eastern Pacific Sand Dab
Lemon Garlic Sauce With Capers

Second Course
Jayson Chardonnay
Napa Valley, Ca 2023

Lobster Ravioli
Lobster Cream Sauce
Garnished With Asparagus

Third Course
Rivetti Nebbiolo
Piemonte, Italy 2022

Lamb Chop
Rosemary Balsamic Reduction

Fourth Course
Masi “Costasera”Amarone
Veneto, Italy 2020

Short Rib Ravioli Bolognese garnished with Shaved Pecorino

Finale
A sweet surprise

Reserve your spot ($130 per guest, including wine, dinner, taxes and gratuities) as soon as possible because this event is sure to sell out.

There are three ways to reserve your space:

1) Visit the Guild's website to pay with a credit card or Paypal at http://westchestermhg.org/wine_dinner.htm
2) Mail or drop off a check payable to Westchester Mental Health Guild, 7891 La Tijera Blvd, Westchester. (Be sure to include your email so we can communicate with you.)
3) Pay via Zelle: info@westchestermhg.org

When you reserve, please note any food allergies or seating requests. Please act responsibly and arrange a ride home.

04/07/2026

Dine-in or take out your favorite menu items from The Shack; Playa Del Rey, CA and know that you are supporting the Westchester Mental Health Guild and AMCS at the same time!

Take out or dine-in
Wednesday and Thursday,
April 8 and 9, 2026 • 12 to 9 p.m.
185 Culver Boulevard in Playa del Rey

The Shack will donate 20% of your order to WMHG.

You must present a printed copy of this coupon in order to benefit the Guild.

Takeout or Dine-in only.

Established in 1972, The Shack's mission is to provide delicious burgers, sandwiches, appetizers and salads for customers to enjoy in a relaxed atmosphere.

You can also print the coupon directly from the Guild's website at http://westchestermhg.org/

04/06/2026

Eden is a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist and has been the CEO of the Airport Marina Counseling Service for the past 12 years. AMCS is a nonprofit, community-based mental health clinic. You will hear about the wonderful services that they have been providing for 65 years. Listen Now:

Joining me on the Born To Talk Radio Show Podcast this week is Eden Garcia-Balis. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and was appointed the CEO of the Airport Marina Counseling Service in 2014. Meet Eden Garcia-Balis. Eden Garcia-Balis has been in the mental health

03/30/2026

Be sure to listen to the latest Born To Talk Radio Show Podcast as host Marsha Wietecha interviews AMCS CEO Eden Garcia-Balis.

Listen now:

Joining me on the Born To Talk Radio Show Podcast this week is Eden Garcia-Balis. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and was appointed the CEO of the Airport Marina Counseling Service in 2014. Meet Eden Garcia-Balis. Eden Garcia-Balis has been in the mental health

03/30/2026

World Bipolar Day is today, March 30; and it’s an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about bipolar disorder and the challenges faced by people living with this condition.

Bipolar disorder affects millions of people worldwide and is characterized by periods of intense mood swings, including manic episodes and depressive episodes. This disorder can impact every aspect of a person's life, including relationships, work, and personal well-being, so it is crucial to bring attention to this disorder and educate people about the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

World Bipolar Day provides a unique opportunity for all of us to come together, raise awareness, and support individuals living with this condition. We can create a positive impact by sharing our knowledge and experiences with others, reducing stigma, and promoting acceptance and inclusion.

This year, let's work together to break down the barriers and stigma associated with bipolar disorder. Let's encourage conversations about mental health and seek to improve the lives of individuals living with bipolar disorder. It is our responsibility to be proactive in making sure that people are not ashamed to seek help, and that there are resources and support systems available to them.

If you or someone you know needs help, AMCS is here. Please call us at (310) 670-1410 for an initial consultation.

03/25/2026

Join our Men's Process Group ... it's a perfect place for men to talk about important issues, develop skills relating to others, experience a space where you can be yourself, and learn the strength of vulnerability. Call AMCS today at (310) 670-1410, ext. 140 or 249 to register.

03/23/2026

Tickets are now on sale for Airport Marina Counseling Service’s 22nd Annual “Spring into Well-Being Celebration,” which will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel. AMCS will hold an amazing celebration, auctions and more. Join us as we honor “65 Years of Healing – A Community of Heroes,” recognizing all of our past honorees. Get your tickets HERE: https://my.onecause.com/event/organizations/sf-0013c00001rG9aCAAS/events/vevt:5d1d61c5-fe07-4776-98a8-9a28c172735f/home/story

The Spring into Well-Being Celebration is the most important way for AMCS to raise the funds necessary to continue its mission of providing low-cost mental health services and training new mental health professionals.

“We are incredibly proud to honor more than two decades of community leaders whose dedication has helped make accessible mental healthcare a reality for so many,” said AMCS CEO Eden Garcia-Balis. “This fundraiser is not just a celebration. It’s a powerful reminder that it truly takes a village. From donors and advocates to clinicians and partners, everyone plays a role in ensuring mental health services reach every person who needs them. The funds raised through this annual event help us sustain affordable, community-based care and invest in the ongoing training of our more than 60 therapists each year, so we can continue showing up for our community.”

This year’s event will honor all of the clinic’s past honorees as a way to recognize the long-standing, broad community support AMCS has received in delivering mental health services to the area since its founding in 1961.

The event is expected to attract more than 300 key local community and business leaders, with the goal of raising more than $350,000 to help continue providing much-needed affordable, community-based mental health services and to support the training of the clinic’s more than 60 mental health therapists each year.

For more information about the event or to become a sponsor, please contact Bill Morgan at bmorgan@AMCShelps.com.

03/18/2026

AMCS CEO Eden Garcia-Balis was honored to attend a special luncheon hosted by the Westchester Rotary Club celebrating the extraordinary service of longtime member Val Velasco.

Val’s impact on our community is profound. A respected probate attorney in Marina del Rey, she has served on both the Rotary Board and the AMCS Board, and is the longest-serving member of the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners. Her decades of leadership have helped shape the civic and philanthropic fabric of Los Angeles.

The event brought together a remarkable group of community leaders to celebrate Val’s legacy, with tributes from LA City Councilmember Tracy Park, Rotary President Nicole King, and five-time Emmy Award-winning comedian and former NBC weathercaster Fritz Coleman. Each spoke to Val’s character, her generosity, and her enduring commitment to service.

AMCS is proud to be part of the community Val has helped build, and deeply grateful for her leadership, partnership, and lasting impact.

.rotary

03/18/2026

Check out AMCS's therapy groups and get the help you need today!