Celebrating Healing and Empowerment: Our 2025 Amani Cohort Graduation!

At Homeless Children's Network (HCN), we believe in the transformative power of community-led healing. That's why we're incredibly proud to announce the recent graduation of our latest Amani cohort, whose ceremony took place on Friday, May 31st! This remarkable group of individuals have completed an intensive journey of self-discovery, cultural grounding, and professional development, preparing them to become vital mental health champions in our community.

What is the Amani Mental Health Training Program?

"Amani," meaning "peace" in Swahili, perfectly encapsulates the spirit of this unique program. Launched in 2021, the Amani Mental Health Training Program is designed to increase the number of Black/African American mental health professionals in San Francisco. It offers an Afri-centric, culturally responsive approach to mental health and holistic well-being, serving as an alternative entry point and training opportunity beyond traditional academic environments for health-based careers such as Community Health Workers and Peer Support Specialists.

Over the past eight months, our Amani cohort embarked on a deeply impactful journey, guided by an Afri-centric curriculum divided into three powerful "Frames":

1. Inward Journey: Participants engaged in self-reflection and personal healing, fostering deep self-awareness and understanding of their identities.

2. Community Mental Health Training: The cohort developed enhanced communication and counseling skills through Afri-centric approaches, emphasizing understanding the "whole person/whole system" for greater healing through cultural connection.

3. Workforce Development: Participants received extensive support for job placement, resume building, and career planning. Throughout the years HCN's Amani program has successfully placed practitioners in various roles, including Case Managers, Peer Counselors, and Health Workers.

Voices from the Heart of Amani

The graduation ceremony was a powerful testament to the cohort's dedication and growth. As Dr. Treajane Brown, Lead Amani Trainer, shared:

"It’s so important for us to uplift and celebrate significant milestones like this. Centering joy and collective pride in Black communities is a wellness intervention itself! At the same with this year’s graduation... Our Amani graduates are stepping into a field where Black people often seek care, only to encounter people and systems that often cause more harm. We believe Amani graduates are the individuals who will help transform that reality. They carry the knowledge, insight, heart, and ingenuity needed to shape healthcare systems and community-based offerings that are truly restorative and accessible."

Dr. Brown also highlighted a significant shift: "One of the strongest lessons I’ve learned from this cohort is that mental health stigma in Black communities is starting to become a narrative of the past. Black folks are naming their needs for healing, for justice, for culturally affirming mental health care, for holistic wellness services, and providers in the field have an ethical responsibility to answer this call."

Cameron Smith also spoke movingly about the graduates' commitment:

"For the past 8 months, Amani Graduates have shown up with heart, courage, and commitment. This wasn’t just about personal growth—it was about honoring their ancestors, showing up for their children, and pouring into their communities. They did this for themselves, but also for everyone who walks beside them and everyone who will follow after."

Graduates Share Their Journeys

The transformative power of Amani is evident in the personal and professional growth of its graduates:

Key Takeaways from the Amani Program:

• Deeper Understanding & Advocacy: Natalie Durgan gained clinical mental health understanding and learned to be a stronger advocate for the Black community.

• Empathy & Shared Humanity: Deavontae Green realized that "every city matters" and that people share many struggles. Dequan Green learned to be more curious and empathetic, rather than letting ego lead to assumptions.

• Cultural Grounding: Tenika Blue found it a fruitful space emphasizing the necessity of cultural experiences and rights in workforce and mental health care.

• Self-Acceptance & Leadership: Lauren Cato's takeaway was "to be who you are, don't dim your light for anyone." Jabir Finley learned the importance of leadership and proactive outreach in the Black community.

• Normalizing Mental Health & Black Excellence: Sylvia Brooks normalized her own therapy and now advocates for mental health. Gione Edwards realized that "black excellence comes in all shapes and forms."

• Community-Driven Solutions: Mwangi Mukami learned the essential nature of building community-driven solutions for systemic challenges. Arelious Jones Jr. learned about others' struggles and positive approaches.

• Useful Lessons & Importance of Community: Hamid Elshareif found weekly lessons excellent and applicable. Samantha Watson emphasized the need for more programs like Amani for Black and Brown people to be heard. LonZaya' Williams noted that the right community is crucial for growth.

Advice for the New Amani Cohort:

• Be Open-minded & Consistent: Natalie Durgan advises applying lessons daily and never giving up.

• Take it Seriously & Go with the Flow: Deavontae Green suggests taking the program seriously as a confidential space. Dequan Green advises letting the program guide you, as it "can really help you in all aspects of life."

• Be Ready for a Journey & Be Present: Tenika Blue encourages an open mind and heart for a personal and collective journey. LonZaya' Williams advises being present with peers to build a lasting family.

• Share Feelings & Be Vulnerable: Lauren Cato encourages sharing feelings. Jabir Finley suggests expecting a mental transformation, being vulnerable, and challenging oneself. Sylvia Brooks advises being open-minded, vulnerable, and 100% oneself in this safe space.

• Commitment & Challenge Assumptions: Gione Edwards advises taking the class seriously. Mwangi Mukami recommends commitment, giving back, and challenging assumptions. Samantha Watson simply advises to "take the class, you won't regret it at all!!!"

• Collaborate & Talk to Peers: Hamid Elshareif suggests collaboration to enhance skills. Arelious Jones Jr. advises talking to peers because "you'll learn a lot!"

Where Graduates See Themselves This Fall:

• Career Advancement & Balance: Natalie Durgan sees herself in a higher position with increased responsibilities and better pay, maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

• Continuing Current Roles & Self-Improvement: Deavontae Green will continue his new job and fatherhood. Dequan Green envisions himself in peak physical, mental, and spiritual condition, traveling and spreading positivity. Lauren Cato will apply learned skills at her job.

• Community Involvement & Further Education: Tenika Blue looks forward to training for her neighborhood's Resident Association and plans to study art therapy. Jabir Finley sees himself possibly attending college, continuing mental health studies, and learning other trades. Sylvia Brooks sees herself returning to school and starting a new mental health job.

• Graduate Studies & Professional Development: Gione Edwards sees herself starting a master's program and a human resource job. Mwangi Mukami is developing a social entrepreneurship curriculum and wants to volunteer teaching AI/communication. Hamid Elshareif will be working in San Francisco.

• Seeking New Opportunities & Continued Learning: Samantha Watson is looking for better community service opportunities. LonZaya' Williams is in a season of redirection, planning to pursue more healthcare certificates while continuing to "bring forth Amani." Arelious Jones Jr. sees himself applying for new jobs.

HCN's Amani program is a beacon of hope, fostering a new generation of Black mental health professionals who are not only skilled but also deeply rooted in cultural understanding and community well-being. We are incredibly proud of our graduates and excited to see the transformative impact they will have on San Francisco and beyond. Learn more about the Amani program on our website and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Linkedin for more insights on our various programs. If you want to support HCN and programs like this, you can visit our website and make a donation.