MHAAC
Advocacy. Support. Hope.
The Mental Health Association of Alameda County (MHAAC) is a nonprofit organization that has been advocating for individuals with mental illness in the Alameda, San Mateo, and Marin Counties since 1958. Governed by a Board of Directors and staffed by qualified individuals who are trained in trauma-informed care and passionate about standing by people with mental health conditions, MHAAC runs multiple programs to help individuals and their families thrive. Serving over 24,000 individuals every year, we are proud to offer free support, education, and mental health resources to family caregivers.
Our programs center around supporting family caregivers of those with mental health issues and advocating for patients’ rights. We assist patients of inpatient facilities in representing themselves at hearings, we assist individuals and families with complaints or grievances to file, and we pair families with peers who have experienced and understand the challenges of children’s behavioral or emotional conditions. We also host workshops to help African American families talk about and cope with mental health conditions and substance abuse in their families.
MHAAC believes that individuals with mental health conditions deserve to live their best lives. That’s why we offer free education, peer support, and patient advocacy programs for caregivers of individuals struggling with mental health. MHAAC is an independent local affiliate of the Mental Health Association in California, which is based in Sacramento, and Mental Health America with offices in Alexandria, Virginia.
Our mission is to empower adults and youth with mental health conditions and their families to live their best lives. We do this through education, support, advocacy, and shared experience. We provide client and family-driven services delivered by highly-trained, compassionate, and committed staff who share the belief that recovery can and does occur.
Integrity: Following through with what we say we are going to do, committing to being authentic and transparent, and always trying to do the right thing.
Accountability: Accepting responsibility for our actions, holding ourselves to the highest standards, and admitting when we could have done better.
Teamwork: Proactively helping and offering assistance to people who may be struggling, working together, asking for help when we need it, and learning from each other.
The Mental Health Association of Alameda County stands in solidarity with all oppressed peoples. We recognize that individuals and communities possess unique traits and differences that enrich our world. We seek to dismantle systemic inequities based on race, ability, gender, and class in our work with our clients and each other. Through cultural humility; harm reduction; a culture of support and dialogue based on genuine inclusion, access, and belonging; and accountability practices; we seek to create an environment where all are valued for their differences and empowered to contribute to our collective betterment.
Management Team
At MHAAC
Kathryn Davies Huber
Executive Director & CEO
Kathryn has held leadership roles in nonprofit human services agencies since 1987. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Massachusetts Boston.
Ming Tuyen
Director of Finance & Administration
Ming has worked in nonprofit accounting since 2012. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Cal State East Bay.
Alicia Wilson
Director of African American Outreach Program & HR Manager
Alicia has worked in administrative roles in government, universities, and nonprofit agencies since 1989. She holds a Master’s degree in Urban Affairs and Policy Analysis.
Ethan Clairville
Human Resources Director
Ethan has an MBA-HRM from the University of Phoenix and has worked in human resources since 2000.
Francesca Tenenbaum
PRA Director of Training and Advocacy, Alameda County
Francesca joined MHAAC in 1997 as a Patients’ Rights Advocate and became director of the program in 2006. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies.
Allison Massey
Director of Family Partnership Program
Allison started her career in mental health in 2011 when she became a Family Partner. In 2015 she became the Director of the Family Partnership Program.
Odessa Caton
Director of Family Education & Resource Center (FERC)
Odessa has held leadership positions in nonprofit social services since 2000. She holds a Master’s degree in Developmental Psychology.
Sharnice Jones
Director of Patients’ Rights Advocacy programs, Alameda, Marin, and San Mateo Counties
Sharnice has held leadership programs in nonprofit since 2018. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Health with a concentration in Health Management and Policy.
Lesley Smith
Office Manager
Lesley joined MHAAC in 2012 as the Executive Assistant. In 2021 she was promoted to Office Manager.
Board of Directors
At MHAAC
President
Frances Joe
Vice Presidents
Christine McHone
Secretary
Liz Rebensdorf
Treasurer
Chris Willmore
Members
Betty Henry
Garrett S. Murphy
Milly Alvarez
Chris Willmore
Jimmy Qian
Julie Cress
Mary Chestang
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