Welcome!

Are you an established professional who wants to make positive changes in your community and the world? Our club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship. Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a diverse group who share your drive to give back.

Our Mission

Inspire acceptance, hope, and wellness across the globe.

Judith Verduzco

Hello everyone! I am thrilled and grateful to serve as the 2023-2024 Rotary Club of Mental Health & Wellness President.

Our club accomplished so much in its first year, none of which would have been possible without our dedicated members and exemplary board of directors. I'm excited to continue with our mission to inspire acceptance, hope, and wellness across the globe.

Mental health is a topic that is very near and dear to my heart, both personally and professionally, as a mental health therapist.

This year's Rotary International theme is all about creating hope in the world. As members of the Rotary Club of Mental Health & Wellness, we are tasked with spreading hope where it's needed most - in mental health.

The pandemic left us all feeling the heavy burden of loss and disconnection. We can all relate to this struggle. The good news is that even in times of crisis and adversity, there's always hope.

I firmly believe that hope is within reach and that each of us has the power to create hope within ourselves and others. Something as simple as being kind to yourself or reaching out to someone who needs support can make a tremendous difference and help create a ripple (butterfly) effect of positive pathways to well-being.

We are all leaders of our own lives, and when we lead with love, compassion, and empathy, we can help create better futures for ourselves and others.

Let's work together to create hope through our work as Rotarians. This year we have a lot of exciting service projects, some of which include building community hope gardens in underserved senior communities, purchasing and assembling coping kits for foster youth, building a disability wellness playground, supporting veteran programs, creating a major suicide awareness media campaign, and so much more! We also have some fun fellowship, fundraising, networking, and collaborating opportunities lined up.

Let's be the change that our world needs and cultivate a culture that encourages dialogue and understanding of mental health so that everyone can experience the power and joy of well-being!

I look forward to being part of this journey with all of you. Let's make it a meaningful year for us all.

Warmly,

Judith A. Verduzco, LCSW, MPA

President, Rotary Club of Mental Health & Wellness

Founder, Monarchs Therapy

Immediate Past President

Bella Khoury-Shaar, M.D.

President

President-Elect

Treasurer

Secretary

Sergeant-at-Arms

Club Administration Director

Grace Leung

Public Image Director

Sophia Shaar

Membership Director

Claire Blue

Service Projects Director

Cindy Dardon

Service Projects: Community

Erika Lopez

Service Projects: Club

Brenda Duenes

Service Projects: Youth

Alex Montoya

Service Projects: Vocational

Maricela Hurtado

Service Projects: International

Audrey Martinez Sanchez

Rotary Foundation Director

Bahareh Talei

New Club Banner

Posted on Aug 19, 2023

Check out our new club banner. 🙌 Thank you DG Makiko for the lovely surprise.

District Breakfast

Posted on Aug 19, 2023

Our club members attended the District 5280 Breakfast this morning. President Judy and Past President Dr. Bella kicked off the meeting with the inspirational speech.

Rotarian of the Month

Posted on Aug 22, 2023

I want to offer my heartfelt congratulations to Grace for earning our clubs Rotarian of the Month award. Her unwavering dedication to securing engaging speakers and flawlessly organizing our club meetings is nothing short of impressive. Grace's ability to handle these responsibilities with such apparent ease is a true testament to her commitment to our club's success.

I also want to take a moment to express my deep appreciation for the remarkable work Grace did in bringing the butterfly-feeding fellowship to life. The thought and effort she poured into creating such a beautiful and memorable event did not go unnoticed. It's clear that Grace's passion for making our club thrive knows no bounds.

Once again, a big congratulations to Grace for these well-deserved recognitions. Her contributions truly make a difference in our club's vibrant community.

CASA Tour

Posted on Aug 18, 2023

We are extremely grateful to Casa Treatment Center for giving our club a special tour of their stunning facility and for sharing the incredible impact CASA has on our community.
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CASA Treatment Center is a haven dedicated to supporting women in their journey to overcoming substance abuse. As a 24-hour, non-medical program, they offer a safe and nurturing environment for women aged 18 and older (including emancipated minors) to achieve sobriety and reclaim their lives.

Their comprehensive programs prioritize the cessation of all mind-altering substances while fostering physical, mental, and spiritual growth. With a deep understanding of the barriers faced by individuals with co-occurring disorders, CASA provides personalized support to address these challenges.