Wellnest

Wellnest team members including President & CEO Charlene Dimas-Peinado, along with VP of Communications & Public Affairs Rebecca Haussling, MA and Director of Annual Fund & Donor Relations Susan Ayala joined more than 100 delegates and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce in Washington D.C. last week, where we advocated for policies that drive jobs, support small businesses - and maybe most importantly - expand affordable housing! At Wellnest, we know that mental health, economic stability and housing are all deeply connected and we remain committed to advocating for policies that support the most vulnerable families and young adults in our communities. Photo captions: Over 100 delegates representing Los Angeles at Access D.C.; Wellnest President & CEO Charlene Dimas-Peinado at the U.S. Capitol with the Chair of the LA Chamber of Commerce, George Pla and Rebecca Haussling, Charlene Dimas-Peinado, Susan Ayala. #LAChamberofCommerce #EconomicStability #AffordableHousing #MentalHealthServices

?? Save the Date -?Monday, September 29, 2025, for?Wellnest's Annual Golf Tournament...Swing for a Cause! Held at the stunning?Friendly Hills Country Club, where you’ll enjoy both the beauty and challenge of the course! After a day on the green, stay for a lively awards dinner and auction, all in support of?The Community Wellnest Center, a transformative project that will provide mental health services in the community, and address the behavioral health needs of at-risk children, families, and young adults in Los Angeles. For more information and sponsorship opportunities, visit?https://lnkd.in/gtBVWA-x See you on the course!??

We are grateful to Jonathan Wheat, CPCU, CRIS and Alan Boring with EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants for supporting Wellnest and our mission of providing holistic, emotional health and wellness services, for some of the most vulnerable children and youth in LA. Your support will help us to offer life-saving services, including clinical and behavioral healthcare for our latest project, The Community Wellnest Center. Thank you! ?? Photographed left to right: Jonathan Wheat with Wellnest team members Chief?Administrative?and?Business?Officer; Jim Balla,?President & CEO; Charlene Dimas-Peinado,?Director?of?Annual?Fund?and?Donor?Relations; Susan Ayala and Chief Financial Officer; Orville Ortiz and Alan Boring.

Wellnest Donor Spotlight: Mel Jackson Mel joined Wellnest in July 2014, initially heading up the compensation committee for six years and serving as a member of the Board of Directors. Drawn by the organization's dedication to high-need, low-resource communities in South and Central Los Angeles, Mel’s passion for these areas, combined with Wellnest’s leadership in mental health and community improvement, made it a natural fit. Currently, Mel serves as the Vice President of the Bridge Builders Foundation Los Angeles, which provides Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) programs through a culturally relevant lens to address unmet needs in communities of color. The foundation's initiatives include mentoring, a year-round STEAM Academy, a Post-Secondary Scholars Program, youth employment opportunities, and community empowerment programs in healthcare and financial literacy—all fully aligned with Wellnest’s mission to provide emotional health and wellness services and to build partnerships that enhance the overall well-being of youth in the communities both Bridge Builders Foundation and Wellnest serves.?Thank you, Mel!??? #Wellnest #WellnestEmotionalHealth #BridgeBuildersFoundation #BlackHistoryMonth #MentalHealthMatters

Leading with Heart: Crystal McNeal's Journey at Wellnest Crystal’s journey is a story of dedication and leadership! After spending over four years at Wellnest, she briefly left for another opportunity, only to eagerly return eight months later, with a promotion. Now, as she nears her five-year anniversary (a total of nine years including her earlier tenure), Crystal shares some reflections and lessons she’s learned along?the?way...?Click here to read Crystal's full story >> https://lnkd.in/gNjVzBv9 #Wellnest #WellnestEmotionalHealth #BlackHistoryMonth #MentalHealthMatters

Wellnest is honored to kick off Black History Month by recognizing its origins and the visionary behind it—Carter G. Woodson. In 1926, Woodson and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) established Negro History Week, laying the foundation for what we now celebrate as Black History Month. ? Since 1976, February has been officially designated as a time to honor the achievements and contributions of African Americans throughout history. This month, we invite you to join us in celebrating the stories, legacies, and impact of Black leaders who have shaped our nation, as well as the individuals who have influenced Wellnest—including stories from our dedicated staff and supporters. To learn more about the origins of Black History Month, visit >> https://lnkd.in/g8nR_7i #Wellnest #WellnestEmotionalHealth #BlackHistoryMonth #MentalHealthMatters

Before connecting with Wellnest, Sofia’s life was filled with a constant cycle of anxiety, depression, and feelings of inadequacy. She faced an ongoing battle with toxic stress, deeply rooted in childhood trauma. “I struggled a lot with how I felt about myself,” Sofia recalls. She experienced a sense of helplessness and hopelessness that led her to develop an eating disorder (ED) to punish herself for feeling, “less than.”?“I would restrict food,” she explains, “but it only made things worse as I became constantly anxious about the amounts I was eating. Too much felt like a reward, and too little made me feel punished.” This anxiety compounded the pressures of family expectations and unaddressed trauma. At a young age, Sofia felt the burden of performing, providing, and escaping the toxic stress she was consistently exposed to. ? Connecting with Wellnest services was the turning point Sofia needed!?With the support of compassionate therapists and holistic services, she began to unravel the complex layers of her struggles. “They provided the necessary support and care to learn how to love myself despite feeling worthless and alone,” Sofia says. Through therapy, she began to confront the internal and external voices that told her she wasn’t enough and slowly replaced them with self-compassion and understanding. One of the most transformative aspects of Sofia’s journey was realizing her own strength. “I learned that I am a lot stronger than I believe,” she reflects. ? Sofia’s journey is one of hope and resilience—a reminder that the darkest battles can lead to the brightest victories. To learn more about Wellnest's mental health services, visit wellnestla.org #Wellnest #MentalHealthServices #MentalHealthMatters

Your Generosity in Action: As we look ahead in 2025, we are energized by the opportunities to continue building a healthier, more supportive community for children, their families and young adults. Thank you for being part of our journey. Click the link below to read stories of hope and healing inside the 2023-2024 Annual Report. And here's to a bright and promising future, ahead! >> https://lnkd.in/gEUhER9R

Today and always we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s enduring legacy of resilience, social justice, and hope. His vision of a world where all people are treated with dignity and equality aligns directly with our mission at Wellnest: to champion mental health as an act of social justice.??Here are a few thoughts from Wellnest staff on?how they believe?barriers to mental health is connected to Dr. King's themes of resilience and social justice. Swipe to read >> #WellnestLA #MLKDay #SocialJustice #Resilience #MentalHealthMatters

Children often look to adults for cues on how to respond to stressful events. It’s important to show concern without panicking. Click the link to download a comprehensive Resource Booklet on Supporting Your Child During a Crisis. Here > https://lnkd.in/gVjgKwbH If you, or someone you know is in crisis due to the Los Angeles wildfires and needs immediate mental health support, Wellnest is here to help. We currently have openings for services in both English and Spanish, including Telehealth sessions. Habla espa?ol. Please reach out to us at 323-766-2345 or email us at [email protected].