We have come upon a year since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. When Allen Temple Baptist Church (ATBC) had its service on Sunday, March 15, 2020, we had absolutely no idea it was going to be the last service for a year plus. And even though we have not all sat together fellowshipping in the pews since that day, we still have managed to nurture a sense of community and hope among our ATBC family which we pray has extended to your own personal families.

Hear from some of the voices of Bethsaida Counseling Services Core Team Members:

“This past year as a result of the pandemic, the African American community and specifically, families have experienced tremendous challenges on many levels. These challenges were culturally, financially, physical, psychological and, spiritually. Despite it all, it is my hope that African American families can still find joy AND gratitude even in a time like this.”

~Debra F. Richardson, MSW, LCSW

“The national Black History Month 2021 theme was “The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity”. Family is the backbone of a community for the two are interchangeable where it provides a place of belonging. We are family and we face everything that the world throws at us daily. That unity keeps our focus on the hope of a better future.”
~Derrick E Felton, MSW, MPA, MBA

“Families are more likely to be resilient in times of stress when they have strong social and community connections. Focusing on protective factors has proven to be more productive because they are positive attributes that strengthen all families. Risk factors only focus on characteristics that are associated with a higher likelihood of negative outcomes. Promoting protective factors help families build on strengths they already have and empower them to identify the best strategies to help enhance problem solving. Here are a few examples of protective factors: being nurturing and supportive; building a close bond with family and community members; being good at listening or communicating needs; having access to resources (financial, housing, and other concrete resources & community services) that can help meet basic needs.”
~La Tronda Lumpkins, MSW, MBA

During this time, Bethsaida Counseling Services wishes you and your family joy, encourages you to practice gratitude and in unity maintain hope while continuing in the spirit of resiliency. Together, as a strong family and with God’s help, we can and will come out of this victorious.

~Ricka L. White-Soso, MSW, LCSW, BIP, CEAT

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Know that we continue to be here to help by offering information and referral, consultation, education, trainings, and workshops. Psychotherapy and counseling sessions are not available through Bethsaida Counseling Services currently. As has been shared, development of a strong infrastructure needed to offer these services are ongoing and takes time. The ATBC community and its surrounding community will be informed once psychotherapy and counseling sessions have returned to our menu of services. If you are interested in our assistance, contact us at (510) 544-8945 or by email at bethsaida@allen-temple.org Our Clinical Coordinator/Director, Sister Ricka L. White-Soso, MSW, LCSW, BIP, CEAT will manage and triage your request.