Counseling Center

The COVID-19 pandemic, rise in anti-Asian hate incidents, and economic struggles have taken a serious toll on the mental well-being of our community. In the midst of these challenging times, we are making mental health care accessible and approachable for underserved Chinese immigrants with our culturally informed and linguistically specific care.

Garden of Hope provides counseling and support to those who have experienced mental health crises, racially motivated hate incidents and harassment, financial hardships, and family crises.

Ways We Help

Andrew’s Story: What is a Successful Life?

Mental Health Care

Andrew was a troubled 8th-grade student on the verge of being kicked out of his middle school just months before graduation. He had been involved in numerous fights, and selling drugs, and struggled with addiction and angry outbursts. Out of desperation and despair, Andrew’s mother finally convinced him to talk with a Garden of Hope counselor.

At first, Andrew was skeptical about the idea of counseling and refused to talk during the sessions. However, after sitting through several sessions in silence, Andrew slowly began to open up and he started to learn how to regulate his anger and resist the impulses that lead him to harmful behaviors like violence and selling drugs. With the patience and compassionate support of his counselor, Andrew began emerging from his downward spiral.

As Andrew’s mental and emotional well-being stabilized, he started making significant changes to turn his life around; he quit his addictions including video games, replacing them with healthy habits and practices including playing basketball, meditating, and reading the Bible.

Today, Andrew is a motivated student who received straight As in his classes and. When asked, “What is your definition of a successful life?” Andrew answered without hesitation, “Growing up in the lower middle class, I believed only money could bring me success—but I was wrong. Being able to help others and seeing that I can bring happiness to the life of others because of my presence is my new definition of success.”