BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Helping people who experience mental health challenges, addictive issues, violence or other trauma reconcile the past, gain control of their lives and embrace the future with hope.

Volunteer Story

Assault survivors face dark moments. This Spokane advocate helps them breathe deeply and press on with dignity.

At her core, Kimmy Meinecke believes in the power of presence – especially in life’s hardest moments. A Lutheran pastor currently serving as the Vicar of St. David’s Episcopal Church, Kimmy has also spent the past four years volunteering as a Crisis Response Advocate (CRA) with our team in Spokane, Washington.

For Kimmy, this volunteer role means showing up – with compassion, belief, and a fierce commitment to supporting survivors of physical, emotional, and spiritual assault.

“It’s about being someone who stands alongside another human being in their most vulnerable moment,” she said. “I remind them of their humanity, their worthiness, their goodness – even in the face of anguish.”

Since beginning her service with LCSNW in September 2020, Kimmy has made a profound impact:

She has supported 75 survivors in the hospital during sexual assault exams, offering critical advocacy during some of their darkest moments.
She has dedicated 127.5 hours directly to advocacy services in the hospital.
She has answered 103 calls on the after-hours support line, providing over 1,500 minutes of emotional support, crisis intervention, and care.
She has spent more than 1,300 hours on call, ready at a moment’s notice to respond to survivors in need.
She has completed 111 hours of ongoing training, continually building her knowledge in best practices and trauma-informed care.

Kimmy’s journey to this work was fueled by knowing people who are survivors and by her deep anger at injustice and cruelty. Rather than sitting with that anger, she turned it into healing action – one conversation, moment of care, and relationship at a time.

The work can be emotionally exhausting, and the systemic injustices survivors face can be infuriating. But Kimmy is sustained by a powerful belief: that even when someone feels shattered, they are still fully human, alive, and worthy of dignity and hope.

Asked what success looks like, Kimmy answered: “When a survivor is able to breathe more deeply after our time together.”

Her work with LCSNW has shaped her not just as a volunteer, but as a more outspoken advocate for survivors in her broader community. Kimmy is a model of the LCSNW mission in action – providing health, justice and hope to those who need it most.

CRIME VICTIM SERVICES

OTHER BEHAVIORIAL HEALTH SERVICES

Staff Profile

Leslie Gutierrez

Leslie is passionate about reducing barriers to mental health services in Yamhill County, Oregon. Growing up as a young Latina, she witnessed the limited access to mental health care within her cultural community. This experience fueled her decision to pursue a career focused on expanding access and improving outcomes for underserved populations.

“There’s already a stigma in the general population about mental health services, and that is multiplied in the Latino culture,” said Leslie, who holds a Master of Social Work degree (MSW). “Language is often a significant barrier. So is creating a safe, welcoming space where people feel comfortable having open conversations – especially with a provider who shares or understands their cultural background.”

Recognizing the need, LCSNW launched the Prospering Together program – Prosperando Juntos in Spanish – in 2022 with a grant from a local hospital. The program promotes the availability of Spanish-speaking mental health services through outreach to the Latinx community, including churches, school districts and partner organizations. Nearly 18% of Yamhill County residents identify as Latino. Many originally moved to the area to do agricultural work; they are a stable, growing part of the mid-Willamette Valley community.

In her Director role, Leslie oversees six mental health programs and 25 practitioners. They specialize in family stabilization, school-based mental health services, healthy relationships, domestic violence and anger management counseling, and more.

Away from her work as a clinician and administrator, Leslie finds balance through time with family and friends, hiking, baking, art, and her greatest joy: her mini dachshund, Cooper.

Client and Caregiver Profile

Dan and Sarana

When Dan* arrived in Portland as an asylum seeker in his 40s, the weight of starting fresh in a new country was overwhelming. He came to our Multicultural Services District (MCS) in May 2024, carrying the emotional toll of displacement, unemployment, and uncertainty. Diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, Dan was navigating deep sadness and isolation.

MCS Clinician Sarana Pallebage recalls their early sessions vividly: “Dan was sad and cried during the sessions. But he came in with clear goals and a hope that therapy could help.”

Sarana brought more than clinical training to their work together; he also brought the perspective of someone who has practiced compassion for decades.

“I am a Buddhist monk, and I have been a monk for more than 20 years. That inspired me to become a therapist,” Sarana shared. “I need to spread my lovingkindness and compassion toward people who are struggling. I practice mindfulness meditation and breathing skills as part of my life as a monk, and that has impacted [my approach] as a mental health clinician.”

Sarana used a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness practices, and culturally sensitive approaches to help Dan identify and challenge the thoughts that held him back. A breakthrough came when Dan recognized how catastrophizing — a form of irrational thinking — was fueling his despair. “Once he understood that, he was able to focus more on his strengths,” Sarana shared. “His motivation to learn, his faith, and his willingness to engage in therapy made a big difference.”

Over time, Dan’s outlook shifted. He rebuilt confidence, embraced coping strategies like prayer and grounding exercises, and recently achieved a major milestone — securing a job. “That gave him confidence and a more positive view of his future,” Sarana said.

Dan’s journey shows how mental health care that honors culture and identity can ignite real healing and lasting change. We’re honored to be part of Dan’s journey and proud to offer hope and healing to newcomers rebuilding their lives.

*Dan is not the client’s real name.