Los Angeles County is home to vibrant indigenous Central American and Mexican communities, including the largest populations of Salvadorans, Guatemalans, and Oaxacans. Residents speak at least 36 distinct languages, reflecting a rich tapestry of cultural heritage. For 25 years, the Mundo Maya Foundation, a dedicated local nonprofit, has worked tirelessly to preserve cultural knowledge, celebrate identity, and promote wellbeing among these communities.
Thanks to the ARISE Division’s Underserved Cultural Communities (UsCC) Latino Subcommittee projects, Mundo Maya has engaged over 400 individuals in sacred Mayan ceremonies and healing circles. The organization has surveyed and convened more than 200 cultural leaders and community members, producing impactful public service announcements that have reached over 85,000 Maya K’iche, Chinantec, Zapotec, and Spanish speakers.
The project addresses critical issues such as fear, separation, loss, immigration, suicide, addiction (including chemicals, electronic games, and smartphones), bullying, and domestic violence. An observer remarked, “Offering emotional support in language, showing genuine presence in a culturally respectful way, and creating a space for dignity made all the difference. This wasn’t just a project — it was a shared healing experience.”
Mundo Maya defines ‘Maya’ as “without pain.” For indigenous community members, listening and speaking are sacred acts that foster cultural identity, acceptance, and belonging.
Click here to learn more about Mundo Maya’s healing circles. To explore the organization’s mission of empowering Latino and indigenous immigrant communities through education and civic engagement, visit: mundomayafoundation.com. For information on LACDMH’s UsCCs, go to: dmh.lacounty.gov/about/mhsa/uscc.
