The Wellness Center

The Wellness Center was created from a dream, a dream that consisted of a space where the community would have access to a variety of services that would be beneficial to their wellbeing. A space in which different non-profit organizations could come together and provide services free of charge to the community of Los Angeles County. And it just so happens that it came to be in a place that is critical in the history of Los Angeles. A place where emergency medicine was born, a place that was constructed so that all of the residents of Los Angeles had access to healthcare with no regards to their social or economic backgrounds, so that not one person would be turned away, a place called The Historic General Hospital. True to the historic purpose of the building, The Wellness Center functions in the same way. It is a one stop destination created to inspire and empower residents and patients to take control of their own health and wellbeing by providing culturally sensitive overall health related services and resources that enable prevention, address the root cause of disease and improve health outcomes through the collaboration of 16 non-profit organizations. A place where nobody is turned away. It provides a space in which members of the community can come together in a chronic disease workshop and not only learn about the proper way of constructing their plates during their meals but also where the more seasoned participants can give a word of advice to those new to this chronic disease. It is place where patients come to participate in fitness classes, whether it is the Walk with Ease Program or a dance fitness class with their families and friends. It is place where many have found relief, either through counseling or through having an employee of one of the non-profit organizations sit down and listen to the issues they face and work with them in finding a solution. It is a place where organizations come together and advocate for health and social issues that are affecting the surrounding areas.

The Wellness Center addresses prevention in healthcare in many ways, one of them being by housing organizations that have the ability to connect patients to healthcare enrollment, whether it is through Medical, Covered California or referrals to other programs. Not every client that comes through the doors is eligible to enroll in Medical or Covered California. Oftentimes clients that come to The Wellness Center seeking health insurance enrollment are undocumented and are ineligible for Medical (other than emergency Medical) or Covered California but with the My Health L.A. program, The Wellness Center is equipped with the knowledge to refer them to clinics that are currently enrolling patients into this program. If the clients discloses that they are undocumented before being referred to one of the organizations on site that assist with health insurance enrollment, they are referred to a local clinic that can assist them with the My Health L.A. enrollment. But not all clients live locally, some come from miles away. Not all clients that come to The Wellness Center speak English, drive, or have the flexibility to visit The Wellness Center due to their work schedules. In these cases we seek clinics closer to their homes that have the ability to enroll them in the My Health L.A. program. Sometimes contacting the clinics and making an appointment for the client, to ensure that they would be able to enroll in the program. The Wellness Center continues to seek ways in which it can help bridge the gap between the uninsured and underserved and the health resources available to them. Many health resources that are available are not always known by the community that can most benefit from them. My Health L.A. being one of them, but through community action, such as the "Amate y Asegurate: A Health Program for Everyone" event hosted by the Health Happens with Prevention Workgroup from Building Healthy Communities collaborative in Boyle Heights where My Health L.A. was brought to the community, awareness and accessibility to these resources is secured. The Wellness Center will continue to support and contribute to efforts and resources that will inspire and empower residents and patients to takes control of their own health and wellbeing.