Wellnest Announces 2024 Centennial Celebration Honorees
A remarkable family and three extraordinary individuals will be celebrated for their contributions: to the legacy of the organization, for an innovative approach to philanthropy, for a commitment to raising voices in support for children in crisis, and for lifting the stories of young adults.
Los Angeles, CA (July 1, 2024) – Wellnest, (formerly the Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic,) a nationally recognized, leading provider of holistic, emotional health and wellness services for children, young adults and families, is celebrating its 100th anniversary and has selected one family and three individuals for their Centennial Celebration honorees.
The honorees will be acknowledged at a black-tie optional gala, set for Friday, September 27, 2024, at 6:00pm, at the Skirball Cultural Center, in Los Angeles.
Honorees are:
The Louchheim Family, Legacy Award for 80 years of combined support for Wellnest, Jacqueline Jacobs Caster, Impact Award as the President & Founder, Everychild Foundation, David Ambroz, Champion Award, as a best-selling author and child welfare advocate, and Pablo Stennett, Ambassador Award as a Grammy award-winning musician and the founder of We Are Tomorrow Foundation.
Funds raised from the Centennial Celebration will benefit The Nest on Jefferson (TNOJ) Community Wellness Center. This much needed, transformative project is poised to make a significant impact on the lives of vulnerable young adults and families in Los Angeles. The center will extend its impact beyond its walls, by offering essential behavioral and clinical health services to children, youth, and families in the surrounding community.
The Community Wellness Center will provide access to mental health services for transitional-aged youth (TAY) living at The Nest on Jefferson; a 55-unit permanent supportive housing project designed specifically for young individuals ages 18-25 and, address the behavioral health needs of at-risk children and families. This unique project supports individuals facing the greatest barriers—socio-economic, cultural and racial—to healthcare, and addresses urgent gaps in the care continuum for this vulnerable population.
“As we celebrate Wellnest’s 100-year anniversary, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for the journey we’ve undertaken in advancing mental health, wellness and housing in Los Angeles,” Wellnest President & CEO Charlene Dimas-Peinado shares, “This Centennial Celebration is not just a testament to Wellnest’s resilience, but also a reminder of the countless lives we have touched and transformed over the last century.”
Dimas-Peinado continues, “These four incredible honorees are setting new standards and bringing heightened awareness to Wellnest’s mission of empowering children and their families.”
Sponsors for the Centennial Celebration include: Centennial sponsor, The Louchheim Family, Presenting sponsor, David and Susan L. Hirsch, Platinum sponsor, Carrie Tsang-Hidding and Henry Hidding, RPS Monument, Diamond Sponsor, The Peinado Family, AEG, Bridge Builders Foundation, Emerald sponsor, AltaMed, Cordoba Corporation, Frost Brown Todd Attorneys, Gallagher, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and Jennifer Louchheim, Ruby Sponsor, Avila Financial and Sapphire Sponsor, Accenture, Ajament Partners, James Balla, James Gallagher, Shelly Holmes, Margo Kaatz, Gail Kennard, Jared Mandap, Alicia Minana, Michael Okada, Levente Orosz, LA Rotary, Andrea Salazar, Sola Impact, Virginia Wilson.
Centennial Steering Committee members include, Baba Cole, Bryan Gusdorf, Carrie Hidding, Christina Karaba, George Sevilla, Jackie Tapia, Jody Short, Meg Barron, Natalie Clayton, Robert Villasenor, Steven Wesson and Ulysses Alvarado.
Honorary Committee members include:
Jenny Louchheim, Committee Chair, Sandra Jackson Dumont, Lucas Museum of Narrative Art , Randall Martinez, Cordova Corporation, Anika Poitier, Actress, Director, Writer, Maria Salinas, Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, John Semcken, Majestic Realty.
About Wellnest:
Founded in 1924, Wellnest is a comprehensive mental health services and housing organization. For 100 years, Wellnest has been on the leading edge of mental health and supportive services for children and families. Wellnest is a trauma-informed organization, helping to pioneer early intervention programs for the 0-5 population, intensive services for at-risk children and families, skills-based mental health services for young adults 16-25, and an inventive collaboration with primary care providers, bringing mental health professionals into community settings.
Through a holistic approach to emotional well-being, Wellnest offers hope, healing and opportunity for the children, young adults and families in the community.
Media Contact:
Rebecca Haussling, Vice President of Communications & Public Affairs
RebeccaH@wellnestla.org / Mobile: 310-922-7384