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ENSPIRE MAGAZINE WS20
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
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ENSPIRE MAGAZINE WS20
Philly Therapist Steps Up for Her Community and Provides Free Mental Health Services
SALEEMAH MCNEIL , FOUNDER OF OSHUN FAMILY CENTER , RAISED $ 81K TO PROVIDE FREE THERAPY TO BLACK PEO- PLE IN PHILADELPHIA AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES
WRITTEN BY : AMANDA HIRSCH
Between ongoing systemic racism , the Black Lives Matter movement taking over the streets and social media , and a new pandemic that has been proven to disproportionately affect people of color , the black community has had an insanely difficult year , to say the least . Seeing this and wanting to give back to her community , Saleemah McNeil , a Philadelphia therapist , decided to fundraise so that she could provide free counseling services to black people struggling with their mental health . Saleemah McNeil is the founder of Oshun Family Center which is located in Jenkintown , PA . Her counseling center provides services to people in and outside of Philadelphia , New Jersey , and Maryland and focuses on clients with persisting issues surrounding maternal health and wellness . As a black woman and a mother , McNeil has been able to empathize with her clients and understand their issues . 2020 has been a year of revelation for a lot of society , and although this has shed light on the many parts of society that we need to fix , it has brought increased violence and psychological stress to the black community . Wanting to give back to her community , McNeil started a campaign with Valerie Braunstein of Philly Psychology to extend the reach of her fundraiser to provide free services . McNeil ’ s original goal was to raise $ 5,000 , but she ended up raising $ 7,000 just in one day . She began the campaign on June 3 rd and has thus far raised over $ 81K . This money will provide eight free sessions that will last an hour each . Once a client finishes their eight free sessions , she will provide therapy as needed at a reduced rate . So far , Saleemah has received 100 new clients . Currently , Saleemah is working on hiring new culturally-competent therapists , including Philly clinicians Jabina Coleman and Shanna Williams . In order to continue providing services and to remain in business , she must raise $ 100,000 so her fundraising efforts are ongoing . The Black Lives Matter protests happening outside our front doors and on familiar streets put the initiative to create change at the forefront of our daily lives . Saleemah McNeil wants everyone to remember that “ black lives have and will always matter , and [ that we must ] continue supporting Black folks after the protests end .” By making an effort to emphasize and care for mental health , McNeil is helping create this change . To help Saleemah McNeil provide more free therapy sessions , donate to her PayPal at @ oshunfamctr .