Hispanic Heritage Month

September 15 – October 15, 2026

Meet Debbie Cervantes, LCSW—support group Facilitator at CSCLA.

Debbie facilitates the People Living With Cancer support group (Grupo de apoyo para personas viviendo con cáncer) for our Spanish-speaking participants.

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we spoke with Debbie about her work with CSCLA’s Spanish-speaking community.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you began your work in social support?

DEBBIE CERVANTES:

For me, being part of the Latino community is deeply connected to who I am. I was raised in a Mexican household, and my culture has always been an important part of my identity. Throughout my journey as a social worker, I have found myself continually drawn to work that allows me to connect with and give back to my community, particularly communities that have historically experienced barriers and disparities in accessing care and support.


I received my Master’s in Social Work from New York University and began my career in community mental health at Tarzana Treatment Center, where I worked as an outpatient therapist, primarily supporting students and members of the Latino community. I later spent five years at UCLA working in a Partial Hospitalization Program with individuals experiencing significant mental health challenges.  I have continued my journey at UCLA and, for the past three years, have been working in a specialty outpatient clinic within UCLA, providing individual therapy

Can you share about your involvement with CSCLA’s support groups for Spanish-speaking participants?

DEBBIE CERVANTES:

My work with Cancer Support Community Los Angeles has been one of the most meaningful parts of my journey. I have been part of the CSCLA community for almost four years, facilitating Spanish-speaking support groups for people living with cancer and spending time with participants in the Breast Cancer and Post-Treatment groups. I have also had the opportunity to provide individual support to participants

What makes this work so special to me is the community we have created together. Working with the Spanish-speaking community at CSCLA has brought me so much joy and fulfillment. There is something incredibly powerful about being able to share space with people who understand the importance of family, culture, language, and community—and to witness how people come together to support one another during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

I feel very connected to my culture, and I am grateful that my work has given me an opportunity to bring that part of myself into what I do. I love seeing how our communities build each other up, share their experiences, and remind one another that they don’t have to go through difficult things alone. To me, that is the heart of community.

Can you tell us a fun fact about yourself?

DEBBIE CERVANTES:

I once walked 500 kilometers over 30 consecutive days while completing the Camino de Santiago in Spain, a pilgrimage that takes you from the Pyrenees all the way to Santiago de Compostela. It was an incredible experience that challenged me physically and gave me a lot of time to reflect, be present, and appreciate the people and moments along the way. It is an experience I will always carry with me—and one that reminds me that sometimes the most meaningful journeys are the ones we take one step at a time.

Debbie, thank you for everything you do to support our Spanish-speaking community!

Program Highlights this Month

ONLINE  |  Yoga in Spanish
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
5:30 – 6:15 pm

This yoga practice is designed to gently foster awareness and a connection with your body, helping you tune in to your body and release stress.

En línea | Yoga en español
Miércoles, 7 de octubre
5:30-6:15pm

Esta práctica de yoga tiene la intención de traer conciencia y conexión corporal de una manera suave, ayudándote a sintonizar con tu cuerpo y liberar el estrés.

Ongoing Virtual Support Groups  |  Grupos de apoyo virtuales

Click here for more information about our Support Groups & Counseling services.

Haga clic aquí para programas en español.