LA organization also recognizes four individuals for their extraordinary contributions
LOS ANGELES (August 22, 2024) – The Louchheim Family will receive the Legacy Award for their 80 years of combined support at Wellnest’s Centennial Celebration gala. Founded in 1924, 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 marking a milestone anniversary at their black-tie option gala on September 27 at 6 p.m. at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles organization has also selected Xavier Becerra, Visionary Award, as the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and champion of mental health; Jacqueline Jacobs Caster, president and founder of Everychild Foundation, to receive the Impact Award; David Ambroz, best-selling author and child welfare advocate, to receive the Champion Award; and Pablo Stennett, Grammy award-winning musician and the founder of We Are Tomorrow Foundation, to receive the Ambassador Award.
In 1943, William S. Louchheim was recruited by a friend and neighbor to join the organization’s board of directors. Soon after, his wife, Jean Louchheim, also took on a role as a director when the organization was known as the Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic, now Wellnest. Throughout their longstanding dedication to Wellnest, Mr. and Mrs. Louchheim Sr. witnessed Wellnest move into a newly constructed facility on the University of Southern California (USC) campus, designed by the famous architect Richard Neutra.
Their grandson, Mark Louchheim, served as board chair, and as a member of the board of directors for more than twenty years. During that time, Mark Louchheim also saw Wellnest expand, eventually outgrowing its original site on the USC campus and transitioning into a new building on Vermont and Exposition, on land that Wellnest purchased.
The most significant, positive change or development Mark Louchheim has seen over the years “was born out of a financial crisis when in the early 1980s Wellnest (Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic) only offered outpatient services. The executive director at the time led the organization through a significant pivot and development of the more intensive Adolescent Day Treatment Program along with a certified non-public school. This led to not only supporting more clients that needed a deeper level of care but to future program expansion and training programs for mental health professionals,” he recalls.
Mark Louchheim’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. William S. Louchheim Jr., have also been loyal friends to Wellnest. Continuing in the family tradition, Mark and Cathy Louchheim’s son, Matt, has volunteered his time at Wellnest and their daughter, Jennifer Louchheim, serves on the board of directors.
“It has been extremely meaningful for me to continue the involvement that my great grandparents started with what was then The L.A. Child Guidance Clinic,” said Jennifer Louchheim, who is the organization’s Centennial Celebration gala chair. “Being a part of the greater community and giving back has always been central to our family’s values. Helping children succeed has been central in my life from the time I was in high school. I am very proud to be a part of what Wellnest has grown into today. It is truly exceptional in terms of the amount of children and young adults they treat to their incredible range of extraordinary services.”
“Wellnest is deeply moved and grateful for the four generations of support and the lasting legacy the Louchheim family has provided for nearly 81 years,” said Wellnest President & CEO Charlene Dimas-Peinado. “We honor the family with the Legacy Award for their incredible dedication and commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of countless children and families over eight decades.”
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.
“Mental health is key to the success of the next generation of children. We hope to help as many children as possible, providing them with a path to independence and a brighter future,” added Mark and Jennifer Louchheim.
The Community Wellness Center will provide access to mental health services for transition-aged youth living at The Nest on Jefferson, house young individuals ages 18-25 in a 55-unit permanent supportive housing project and address the behavioral health needs of at-risk children and families. The distinctive project supports individuals facing socio-economic, cultural and racial barriers to healthcare and addresses urgent gaps in the care continuum for this vulnerable population.
Sponsors for the Centennial Celebration gala include Centennial Sponsor, the Louchheim family; Presenting Sponsor, David and Susan L. Hirsch; Platinum Sponsor, Annenberg Foundation, Carrie Tsang-Hidding and Harry Hidding, RPS Monument; Diamond Sponsors, The Peinado family, AEG, Bridge Builders Foundation; Emerald Sponsors, AltaMed, Cordoba Corporation, Frost Brown Todd Attorneys, James Gallagher, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Jennifer Louchheim; Ruby Sponsor, Avina Financial, Jacqueline and Andrew Caster, Montage Insurance Solutions, Voya Financial; and Sapphire Sponsors, Adventist White Memorial, Alicia Jacob/Ajament Partners, Andrea Salazar Garcia and Carlos Garcia, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, David Hirsch IV, The Dube Family, Gail Kennard, James and Maria Balla, LA5 Rotary, Margo Kaatz, Martin H. Hodgett Foundation, Alicia Minana, Michael Okada, Patrick Pan, Ronit and Ron Stone, Shelly Holmes, Sola Impact, USC/USC Village and Virginia Wilson.
Wellnest Centennial Celebration Gala Chair is Jennifer Louchheim. Honorary Committee members include Sandra Jackson Dumont of Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, Randall Martinez of Cordova Corporation, Actress, Director, and Writer Anika Poitier, Maria Salinas of Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, and John H. Semcken III of Majestic Realty.
Sponsorships ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 are available. Individual tickets are $350. To attend the Centennial Celebration gala, visit https://www.wellnestla.org/centennial/.
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About Wellnest
Founded in 1924, Wellnest is a comprehensive mental health services and housing organization touching more than 200,000 lives annually. 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. To learn more, visit wellnestla.org.
Media Contact
Rebecca Haussling, Vice President of Communications & Public Affairs
RebeccaH@wellnestla.org / Mobile: 310-922-7384