heart to heart Counseling

Our Heart to Heart Counseling Program, where we provide essential mental health services to those formerly incarcerated or justice-impacted. Offering free services for one year, we aim to address the root causes of their struggles, aiding in the fight against recidivism. With culturally diverse therapists and lived-experience case managers, we offer personalized support tailored to individual backgrounds and experiences. Our approach acknowledges the unique challenges this population faces and empowers them to overcome barriers to successful reintegration into society.

*This program is specifically grant & donor base. Participant slots are determined by funding.

    • Must be age 16 and up

    • Been incarcerated for more than 1 year in Jail, Federal or State Prison

    • Be willing to connect with other resources

    • Participate in Orientation Life skills course with OHL

    • Currently justice impacted and referred by attorney or community program

    • Been out of Jail, Federal or State prison for at least 2 weeks.

    • Must be willing to commit to a full year of service through signed contract

  • This initiative provides vital support to formerly incarcerated individuals from low-income and marginalized communities, offering them the opportunity to access free counseling for an entire year, totaling 52 weeks.

    Why Have An Open Heart?

    What people don’t know is that San Diego County has one of the highest recidivism rates in the state of California, with approximately 56 percent of state prisoners, 45 percent of federal prisoners, and 64 percent of local jail inmates experiencing a mental health problem. Nearly 74 percent of ex-offenders in our county return to prison within two years of release. The connection between mental health and incarceration is well-documented. This pressure leads to an increase in suicide, addiction, homelessness, and furthermore, reincarceration after being released.

    Why OHL?

    - Services from a community-trusted organization located in the community it serves.

    - Relatable and lived-experienced staff with diverse backgrounds.

    - Guarantees clients are getting full wraparound support while tending to their mental health.

    HEART TO HEART Ensures:

    - Clients can focus on using funds for basic necessities.

    - Clients have access to counseling without the stress of finances.

    - Proper diagnosis.

    - Connection to other resources to reduce recidivism.

    - Commitment and consistency.

  • Open Heart Leaders Heart to Heart Counseling program is primarily funded through fundraising donations, grants and private donors. The programs participant availability is subjected to the amount of funds raised and collected.

    This program is always taking new donors and new fiscal partners.

    Donate today if you are someone who supports mental health services for our justice impacted population.

DONATE HERE