Just like me Amiga, Maribel Gutierrez, I enjoy gardening as a form of self-care. I enjoy the ability to plant something as small as a seed, then watching the miracle of it growing into a plant with beautiful flowers and/or delicious fruit to enjoy. I love the variety the Creator has given his creation to enjoy.
 
Right now, I’m growing iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce, broccoli, celery, tomato, strawberries, cantaloupe, watermelon, cucumber, eggplant, bell pepper and snow peas. I also have a variety of fruit trees I can enjoy throughout the year including: fig, mango, Asian pear, apple, apricot, nectarine, loquat, kumquat, pomegranate, avocado, guava, dragon fruit, orange, lime, and lemon.
 
In addition to caring for my plants and buying new ones, I enjoy talking about plants and sharing cuttings with like-minded people, of all colors and creed. Talking about plants and gardening is truly a universal joy!

Aimara Freeman
Public Relations Manager

As a therapist, I find that the last thing I want to do when my work day is over or on the weekend is to be in private practice and provide more therapy. Sometimes I just need a break and don’t want to talk anymore. 😊 I come from a family of antique collectors and a few dealers, and grew up walking around antique malls looking for treasures. I turned this pastime into a self-care/hobby. I currently co-own, with my baby sister, an antique business. So on my days off we scour thrift and antique stores, and estate and yard sales. I love the thrill of the hunt and the pleasure of giving an item another chance to be loved and used by a new family. Most of all, I enjoy the time I get to spend with my sister, teaching her about antiques (like my family did when I was younger) and laughing, always laughing!

Melanie Porges
LMFT, Program Manager I of Department of Behavioral Health, Diversion Services 

"Margaret Hernandez, SOS, handmade wellness gifts for each of her OAs as a holiday gift. She made hot/cold packs filled with rice that can put on sore muscles to soothe. She also included an adorable poem. This reflected Ms. Hernandez’s priority that the clerical staff feel valued and supported by supervisors."
  - ​Susan F. Achuff, M.S., LMFT, Acting Program Manager II/Clinic Supervisor