ALAS Celebrates Opening New Salinas Clinic with Ribbon Cutting, Expanding Culturally Responsive Mental Health Services for Farmworker Families

New Community Clinic Builds on ALAS’ Work in Half Moon Bay and Strengthens Partnerships across Monterey County.

SALINAS, Calif. — September 25, 2026 — ALAS (Ayudando Latinos a Soñar) will

officially launch its new Salinas clinic on Wednesday, September 30, with a press

conference and ribbon cutting at 11 a.m., followed by a community open house from 3

p.m. to 6 p.m. Located at 947 Blanco Circle, Suite B, Salinas, CA 93901, the new clinic

expands ALAS’ work to the Salinas Valley, providing culturally responsive mental health and

supportive services for Latino families and farmworker communities.

The Salinas clinic grew from partnerships with organizations already serving the region,

including the Monterey County Office of Education’s Migrant Education Program and

Salinas Valley Health. Through these partnerships and ongoing community engagement,

ALAS has been listening to farmworker families, migrant families, health providers and

community organizations to better understand local mental health needs and barriers to care.

The clinic marks an important next step for ALAS as it brings its experience serving Latino

families and farmworkers in San Mateo County to Monterey County. The morning event will

feature remarks from ALAS leadership, community partners and invited public officials,

followed by the ribbon cutting, media interviews and a tour of the clinic. The afternoon open

house will bring together community organizations, health and social-service providers,

partners, advocates, residents and invited public officials to celebrate the opening.

“ALAS was founded on the belief that when we listen to our communities and understand their lived experiences, we create programs that truly respond to their needs. Our expansion into Salinas is a natural extension of that work. We’ve heard from farmworker families and our community partners about the need for accessible, culturally responsive mental health services. We’re honored to build on those relationships and be closer to the families we serve.”

— Dr. Belinda Hernández-Arriaga, Founder and CEO, ALAS

ALAS began building relationships in Monterey County in the summer of 2025 after being

invited to participate in a Migrant Education conference. During the conference, ALAS heard

directly about the mental health challenges facing migrant and farmworker families and the

need for services that are accessible, culturally responsive and grounded in the community.

The need is consistent with findings from Monterey County Community Health Needs

Assessment identifying mental health care as one of the region’s top community needs. Since then, ALAS has continued working with local organizations, health providers and community leaders to better understand the needs of families in the Salinas Valley.

For Dr. David Martinez, ALAS’ Director of Mental Health, a Salinas native who lives in the

community and also works with ALAS in Half Moon Bay, the expansion is especially

meaningful.

“Salinas is home for me. I grew up here, I live here, and I know how important it is for families

to have services they can trust and access close to home. My work with ALAS in Half Moon

Bay has shown me the difference culturally responsive mental health services can make for

Latino families and farmworkers. I’m excited that we can now bring that experience to the

community I call home.”

— Dr. David Martinez, ALAS Director of Mental Health and Associate Professor at

University of San Francisco

Dr. Martinez has also become connected to the broader immigrant community through his

participation in the steering committee of the Monterey County Immigrant Services Network of Empowerment (CISNE), developing relationships with more than 50 community organizations and service providers.

Community Partnerships Strengthen Local Reach

The Monterey County Office of Education’s Migrant Education Program has been part of

ALAS’ work in Salinas from the beginning. The partnership has helped ALAS better

understand the needs of migrant students and their families, connect with community

resources and build relationships throughout the region. The Migrant Education Program also provided a letter of support for ALAS’ efforts to secure funding to expand its work in Monterey County.

“Supporting the health and well-being of migrant students and their families requires strong

partnerships and a community-wide approach. We are pleased to collaborate with ALAS as

they establish a presence in Salinas and expand access to culturally responsive mental health

resources. Their commitment to listening to families, building trust and partnering with

organizations already serving the community is an important part of ensuring our families can connect with the support they need.”

— Dr. Deneen Guss, Monterey County Superintendent of Schools and the Monterey

County Office of Education’s Migrant Education Program

Salinas Valley Health has also partnered with ALAS as the organization establishes its

presence in the Salinas community.

“After meeting with ALAS, I see an opportunity for a great partnership in serving our

community.”

— Dr. Orlando Rodriguez, Chief Medical Officer Ambulatory Services Salinas Valley

Health

Community outreach has also been an important part of ALAS’ work in the Salinas Valley. In

June 2026, ALAS hired Alejandra Valadez, a Salinas native, as Community Outreach

Coordinator. Through community festivals, events and direct outreach, Valadez and the ALAS team have been connecting with farmworker families and residents who have expressed the need for accessible mental health services and other resources.

The clinic’s work is supported by philanthropic partners, including Kaiser Permanente, Life

Science Cares and The Westly Foundation, which have helped ALAS expand its work in

Monterey County, including its Farmworker Equity Express, a mobile behavioral health effort

designed to bring services closer to farmworker communities.

Through the Salinas Clinic, ALAS will continue working alongside local health providers,

schools, community organizations, farmworker advocates and families to make mental health

and supportive services more accessible and responsive to the community.

PRESS CONFERENCE and RIBBON CUTTING

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

11 a.m.

ALAS Salinas Clinic

947 Blanco Circle, Suite B

Salinas, CA 93901

The morning event will include remarks from ALAS leadership, community partners and invited public officials, followed by the ribbon cutting, media interviews and a tour of the clinic.

Media interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP.

COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

3–6 p.m.

ALAS Salinas Clinic

947 Blanco Circle, Suite B

Salinas, CA 93901

The community open house will give farmworker families, community organizations, service

providers, advocates and partners an opportunity to meet the ALAS team, learn more about its services and celebrate the opening of the new clinic.

About ALAS

ALAS (Ayudando Latinos a Soñar) is a Latino-led community organization founded in 2011

by Dr. Belinda Hernández-Arriaga. Based in Half Moon Bay, ALAS works with Latino families,

farmworkers and underserved communities through culturally responsive mental health and

wellness services, education, advocacy, community engagement and other programs

designed to address the needs of the whole person and community.

ALAS believes “La Cultura Cura” — culture heals — and works to create spaces where

families feel seen, heard, respected and supported.

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Media Contact

Victoria Sánchez De Alba

De Alba Communications

victoria@dealba.net / 650-270-7810