Meet Sarah Anderson | Founder and Board Chair

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Anderson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, what matters most to you?
The Vic James Center is a mission driven organization in Los Angeles. Our objectives are to improve behavioral and mental health for young adults, children and youth ages 16-26. Everyone on the team has lived experienced overcoming substance use disorder issues in the home or personally. The Vic James Center set individuals up to overcome barriers in accessing resources. The Vic James Center improves the social determinants of health through life skills training and mentorship. The Vic James Center believes in strengthening the continuums of care, of treating the whole person.

The Vic James Center’s programs are evidence-based and implementation of them has resulted in an increase in prevention, intervention and recovery from substance use disorder. It is known that substance abuse/mental health issues/and homelessness pervasively overlap. A sober body, mind, and soul is essential to maintaining safe and stable tenancy. Our intentions are the following:

• Decrease stigma and discrimination associated with mental health and accessing mental health services through culturally congruent messaging and community engagement
• Increase help-seeking behaviors by supporting community members and eliminating stigma
• Increase awareness of and access to mental health services and resources, through community-based approaches

• Increase knowledge of trauma, toxic stress, and social determinants of health through community-centered methods for raising awareness and understanding

The Vic James Center’s programs are effective in reaching underserved populations with over 1,000 workshops and over 1,500 unduplicated youth positively impacted. Reflected in high-demand and high-customer service ratings. The Vic James Center has reached over 2.1 million through outreach and engagement campaigns. The Vic James Center has strong ties and influence within the community, they work in close partnership with like-minded organizations, government entities and foundations.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My career has had twists and turns from the start, but all the experiences have come together to add that x-factor that is needed to be a successful entrepreneur. The defining point in my career was when I deepened my spiritual life. Books like the New Earth and Seven Spiritual Laws of Success laid an unshakable foundation for inner strength, grit, faith, confidence, and perseverance. Without a doubt I believe the Vic James Center is a co-creation with the universe. That my skills, aptitudes, passion, and values have been coupled with bringing a much-needed service to society. What we bring is both practical and intangible. This combination is what sets us apart, gives us depth. People are starving for genuine connection – to believe in good. We authentically bring that to the table.

The Vic James Center’s success reflects that. The Vic James Center combines their outreach with excellent programming to build a respected brand. This brand attracts donors, partners, and opportunities to sustain/grow the Vic James Center’s work. From there, the Vic James they attract and leverage other funding opportunities to grow/sustain this work.

The Vic James Center is new but it has grown exponentially year-over-year. This time last year, the Vic James Center would reach around 50 people per event and now they are reaching thousands per event. They are always advocating for the need for this work, collaborating with foundations, government entities, individuals, and businesses to secure funding from a diverse pool.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would bring them to go hiking at Temescal Canyon Trail, for a bike ride in Manhattan Beach, and shopping at the Grove.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to dedicate this shoutout to my mom and grandma. It was a very challenging childhood, being raised by a single mother of seven children. My mom worked around the clock to make sure we had more than what we needed. She pulled off the impossible, beyond human. My grandmother also stepped in to provide support. Two inspirational, talented, and powerful examples of independence and strength.

Website: https://www.vicjamescenter.org

Instagram: @vicjamescenter