Who We Are

Incorporated in 1978, Instituto Familiar de la Raza (IFR) was the first integrated mental health center to serve Chicanos/Latinos in San Francisco. Since then, it has evolved into a multicultural, multi-service agency with over 100 staff serving more than 6,000 clients per year. The mission of IFR is to promote and enhance the health and well-being of the Chicano/Latino/Indígena community of San Francisco. The organizational philosophy is based on self-determination, empowerment and spiritual/cultural affirmation, which permeates all aspects of the organization.

IFR is committed to addressing the various challenges impacting Chicanos/Latinos in San Francisco. Beginning with a culturally sound framework and the continued support of individuals, businesses, and foundations, we are building a healthy San Francisco Latino community. Please join us.

Our Programs

IFR is organized in seven innovative and culturally competent programs, including:

• La Clinica, an outpatient mental health clinic utilizing traditional and contemporary approaches to mental health
• Sí a la Vida, an integrated HIV program providing outreach, education, support groups for HIV-negative Latinxs, & case management and peer education for HIV+ persons
• La Cultura Cura, youth programs targeting at-risk youth by providing case management, mentoring, cultural interventions, and mental health support
• Sana Sana, a school-based program providing mental health consultations for teachers and providers, case management, family therapy, and support to families living in Sunnydale with children 0-3.
• Casa Corazon, our family-base program, providing advocacy, mental health support, psycho-educational parent-child development, and parent leadership activities
• Indígena Health & Wellness, which provides health promotion, case management, cultural affirmative activities, and training for health promotores to the local Mayan and indigenous population
• Internship Program, a training program that provides Master, Practicum, and Doctoral-level students pursuing a career in mental health an opportunity to work in a diverse population environment.
• Roadmap to Peace, a community driven collective impact initiative focused on violence prevention among Latinx youth most impacted by community violence and the criminal justice system.

Our Structure

The Board of Directors is composed of up to nine people, including four officers and five members at large. These elected positions include:

• President
• Vice President
• Treasurer
• Secretary
• Member at Large (5)

In addition to regularly scheduled Board meetings, the Board also has several standing committees. These standing committees allow the Board to provide oversight and support in targeted areas of the organization. IFR’s standing committees include:

• Executive Committee
• Finance Committee
• Development Committee

In addition to the above committees, ad hoc committees may be established to address new or emerging issues of importance to the agency.

Board Responsibilities

• Attendance and participation in bi-monthly (every other month) board meetings
• Active participation in committee work (with a minimum participation in two committees)
• Adequate preparation for board and committee meetings, as necessary
• Outreach to increase IFR’s visibility in the community to promote IFR’s mission, values, and programs
• Identification and cultivation of relationships with potential supporters, partners, and donors
• Attendance and participation in IFR’s fundraising and community events
• Give or get an amount of unrestricted funding for IFR, as agreed to by you and the Board Secretary, based on your ability and comfort level
• Board terms are for a 3-year period, with the possibility of re-election to consecutive terms.

Who You Are

A passionate and committed individual interested in supporting a healthy San Francisco Latinx community. All our welcome to apply. To reflect the diversity of our community, we especially seek to recruit Latinx members of the LGBTQ community, culturally responsive clinicians with community mental health experience, and fund development experience.

To Apply

Please email a resume and cover letter to Lluvia Hernandez, Executive Assistant, at [email protected]. In your cover letter, please share why you’re interested in joining IFR’s Board of Directors, and what you hope to contribute to the organization. Thank you for your interest!

La Voluntad es la Fuerza