Nonprofit Spotlight Curated by SA Youth
What is your role at your organization, and what does it entail?
As the president and chief executive officer of Clarity Child Guidance Center, I am responsible for managing all the operational and financial aspects of the organization. I manage this through collaboration with a supportive and engaged Board of Directors and a team of mental health professionals. Clarity CGC offers the region’s largest concentration of child and adolescent psychiatrists, with its onsite affiliations with Southwest Psychiatric Physicians and UT Health San Antonio.
What is your organization’s mission?
Clarity Child Guidance Center exists to support kids and teenagers that are dealing with behavioral or emotional issues. We help them function better at home, school, and in their relationships. We strive to make it easier for kids and families in need to be seen quickly and begin receiving care. We want every child and family that needs our care to receive our care; Clarity CGC serves children in need, regardless of their family’s ability to pay.
What is a common misconception about your organization or the mission you serve?
Some folks in the community think you can only come to Clarity when you are in crisis. In reality, we don’t want families to wait for a crisis. It is always best to start services when a problem is minor. We can treat a wide variety of issues – everything from ADHD and minor depression to more severe issues such as thoughts of suicide or psychosis. SA Woman readers may be surprised to learn that our space allows us to operate 66 inpatient beds for kids in danger of harming themselves or others, a day hospital program, and a full range of outpatient services.
What does $100 support when giving to your organization?
$100 of support can be used in lots of different ways! It would allow a child to receive a comprehensive outpatient evaluation, stock the shelves of our food pantry, or provide a therapeutic recreation group for our inpatient kids.
What is an upcoming way to get involved at Clarity Child Guidance Center?
Because of COVID-19, we have had to limit our onsite tours and volunteer opportunities but will start up again when possible. We can always use monetary donations to ensure that we can continue to provide services regardless of a family’s ability to pay. There is also an opportunity called Bridge the Gap, where community members can donate food, clothing, hygiene items, toys, and books for our kids.
Learn more: Clarity Child Guidance Center
In the Spotlight:
Jessica Knudsen, Clarity Child Guidance Center President and CEO
Nonprofits are the heartbeat of our community. Behind each organization is a dedicated team driven by a unique mission to provide a necessary service to our city. San Antonio is home to over 12,000 registered nonprofit organizations that employ almost 68,000 San Antonians each year (San Antonio Nonprofit Economic Impact Study, 2020). May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this issue, our Nonprofit Spotlight focuses on the local organization Clarity Child Guidance Center, a member of their team, and a peek behind the curtain to understand what it takes to serve our community.
