About Us
Who We Are
Founded by Dr. Sade Thompson, LMFT, Hygieia Behavioral Health Foundation (HBHF) is leading the charge in promoting mental health treatment for all. We fulfill our mission through advocacy, cultural awareness, education, and effective treatment services.
We work every day to protect the dignity and rights of marginalized communities. Like any other illness, mental health is critical, and symptoms should be addressed immediately. We’ve developed an appropriate plan of action to help others improve their overall health.
Our Mission
Hygieia Behavioral Health Foundation aims to minimize the effects of oppression and intergenerational trauma experienced by many members of BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and marginalized communities. We’re committed to helping bridge the gap of culturally sensitive mental health resources and treatments, promoting mental health wellness, and removing the barriers that hinder people from accessing the quality help they require.
Who We Serve
BIPOC
LGBTQ+ Community
Marginalized Communities
HBHF works to protect the dignity and rights to mental healthcare of marginalized communities. We ensure that their plights and needs are integrated into our organizations plans and support strategies.
We are committed to advancing our 100% culturally sensitive mental healthcare agenda and promoting health equity. We recognize that racial injustice has caused enough trauma to communities of color which in turn affects their mental wellbeing, and we’re doing our part to make a difference.
LGBTQ+ individuals with mental health concerns may also face a double stigma. Many will face discrimination centered on their sexual orientation and/or gender identity as well as mental illness-related stigma. We are dedicated to helping individuals from the LGBTQ+ community find qualified mental health professionals who can provide effective treatment.
FOUNDER
Dr. Sade Thompson, LMFT( President / Psychotherapist )
Dr. Sade Thompson is a Doctor of Psychology, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (116250), and the President of Hygieia Behavioral Health Foundation. Dr. Thompson was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA and worked as a psychotherapist all over LA, from Palos Verdes to Inglewood, South LA, Beverly Hills, and in Orange County before establishing a behavioral health center in Lakewood, CA.
Dr. Thompson lived in Santa Barbara while completing her bachelor’s degree at UC Santa Barbara, earned her master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California (USC), and completed her doctoral education at California Southern University. She has worked with many populations, especially k-12 children, and families of all backgrounds.
Dr. Thompson has assisted individuals from many backgrounds with a range of needs that has led her focus to forming a nonprofit organization based on individual experiences. Throughout her career, numerous individuals expressed stigma holding them back, not knowing how to navigate the process of finding mental health treatment, or affordability. She learned firsthand how many members of marginalized communities have a hard time finding a therapist who truly recognized how background and culture affected their life experiences and mental wellbeing. Many of those who eventually found a therapist dropped out of treatment if they felt their therapist could not truly empathize with their experience.
With this knowledge, Dr. Thompson decided to assist these communities as she recognized a pattern of similar experiences regarding mental health treatment for many individuals. Hygieia Behavioral Health Foundation aims to bridge the gap between BIPOC, LGBTQ+, marginalized communities and quality mental health treatment.
Dr. Zachary Gvildys( Chief Financial Officer )
Dr. Zachary Gvildys recently completed his PhD in Chemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles, specializing in theoretical and computational chemistry with a focus on the physics of protein-RNA interactions.
As a PhD student, Dr. Gvildys received accolades such as the UCLA Distinguished Teaching Award and the Hanson Dow Teaching Award for Excellence in Teaching, reflecting his commitment to both research and education.
Dr. Gvildys’ involvement in scientific outreach programs, tailored towards underserved communities, such as mentoring high school students in nanoscience projects and leading workshops for educators, demonstrates his dedication to fostering scientific curiosity and literacy among diverse audiences.
Dr. Gvildys is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Hygieia Behavioral Health Foundation. He plays a pivotal role in ensuring the organization’s financial health and sustainability while advancing its mission-driven initiatives.
Dr. Gvildys oversees all financial aspects, including budgeting, financial reporting, and risk management, to guarantee fiscal responsibility and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Additionally, Dr. Gvildys works closely with program managers and executives to allocate resources effectively, optimize funding streams, and pursue strategic partnerships or grants to support the organization’s programs and services.
He provides valuable insights through financial analysis, forecasting, and long-term planning, guiding the nonprofit towards achieving its goals of providing accessible and impactful mental health support to the marginalized communities.
Marisa Meza( Administrative Assistant )
As the heartbeat of Hygieia Behavioral Health Foundation’s administrative operations, Ms. Meza brings a compassionate touch and an organized mindset to our team. With a deep commitment to supporting our mission of providing accessible mental health treatment, she diligently manages the behind-the-scenes tasks that keep our services running smoothly.
Ms. Meza is more than just an administrative assistant. She is a crucial link between our clients, clinicians, and the administrative team. With many years of experience in medical office administrative roles, Ms. Meza seamlessly blends professionalism with empathy, ensuring that every interaction leaves individuals feeling supported and valued.
Board of Directors
Jasmin Tobar, MSW
Jasmin Tobar was born in Los Angeles to a Salvadoran father and a Salvadoran and Honduran mother. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with an emphasis in Global Studies and Human Rights from Mount St. Mary’s University in Los Angeles. She received her Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University, School of Social Work.
During her time in New York City, she worked at the Roberto Clemente Family Guidance Center, where she worked as a psychotherapist intern with recently arrived immigrant families and youth. Ms. Tobar has over ten years of experience in nonprofit management, program evaluation, community organizing, and educational programs. She is also an adjunct professor at California State University, Northridge in the Central American and Transborder Studies. Currently, Ms. Tobar is a doctoral student at the University of Southern California Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work.
Ms. Tobar is the Secretary of the Board at Hygieia Behavioral Health Foundation. In this capacity, Ms. Tobar ensures that board members are given appropriate notice of meetings and proactively records these meetings. Ms. Tobar is responsible for proactively collaborating with board members to set up meetings, giving proper notice of any meetings, and promptly distributing materials like agendas and minutes.
Tsion Mitchell
Tsion Mitchell is the Board’s Treasurer. Her dedication to our mission and expertise in financial management make her an invaluable asset to Hygieia Behavioral Health Foundation. Ms. Mitchell brings a wealth of experience and a passion for social impact to their role as Board Treasurer, ensuring that our organization remains fiscally responsible and accountable to the communities we serve.
Ms. Mitchell holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Ashford University. She is very active in her community and often volunteers with marginalized communities by joining service days, whether it is assisting at a local food bank, mentoring underprivileged youth, or participating in community clean-up projects.
As the Board Treasurer, Ms. Mitchell plays a pivotal role in the financial management of Hygieia Behavioral Health Foundation. Ms. Mitchell also assumes the responsibility of providing regular financial reports to the board, offering valuable insights into the organization’s financial performance to facilitate informed decision-making processes. Furthermore, she diligently ensures that Hygieia Behavioral Health Foundation remains compliant with all relevant financial regulations and best practices, thus upholding the trust and confidence of stakeholders.
Ms. Mitchell joined the board at Hygieia Behavioral Health Foundation because she understands the importance of mental health treatment and believes the removal of stigma cannot be overstated. Ms. Mitchell serves her community because she sees how mental health is an integral part of overall well-being is, and just like physical ailments, mental health issues require attention, care, and treatment.