Wellnest (formerly the Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic), a nationally recognized leader in holistic, emotional health and wellness services for children, young adults, and families, celebrated its 100th anniversary on September 27, at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.
Emceed by Chris Schauble, co-anchor of the KTLA 5 Morning News, the Wellnest Centennial Celebration gala honored Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra with the Visionary Award and four additional honorees for their significant contributions to the organization’s mission of empowering mental health and wellness in the community.
In addition, it raised money to benefit the Community Wellness Center at The Nest on Jefferson, an innovative and supportive permanent housing project for young adults aged 18-25.
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“We honor champions for children who have made significant impact at the local, state, and national levels, from expanding access to health care and reforming juvenile justice to reducing child poverty,” said Wellnest President and CEO Charlene Dimas-Peinado.
Besides Becerra, honorees included the Louchheim Family received the Legacy Award for 80 years of combined support for Wellnest, Jacqueline Jacobs Caster received the Impact Award for her contribution as the president and founder of Everychild Foundation, best-selling author David Ambroz received the Champion Award for his impact as a child welfare advocate, and Grammy award-winning musician Pablo Stennett received the Ambassador Award as the founder of We Are Tomorrow Foundation.
“Our journey forward requires us to be bold in our advocacy and unrelenting in our pursuit of social justice for the most vulnerable,” Dimas-Peinado told 600 guests.
“It will take the dedication of our employees, board of directors, community partners, and you—our resolute supporters—to shape the next century of Wellnest’s legacy. Our vision is one of continued growth, innovation and impact.”
“Wellnest’s commitment to the mental health and emotional strength of everyone in our community is unmatched,” said Jennifer Louchheim, Wellnest Centennial Celebration gala chair, to a sold-out crowd at the gala.
“From early intervention and prevention to intensive services and crisis response, their passion for their mission of providing hope, healing and opportunity for families is infinite.”
Dimas-Peinado shared Wellnest’s bold vision to offer progressive mental health services for children at a time when their mental health was hardly recognized. “Our founders broke through the stigma, envisioning a world where children’s emotional and psychological needs received the same attention as their physical health. Their pioneering spirit built an agency known for its compassionate care.
“Today, Wellnest is a nationally acclaimed agency offering trauma-informed mental health services; it is a community dedicated to nurturing the minds and spirits of our children. We meet families where they are—in schools, homes, and community settings—ensuring mental health care is accessible, culturally competent, and free of barriers.”
The evening’s sponsorships, donations, and live auction bids generated vital funds for the Community Wellness Center at The Nest on Jefferson. This transformative initiative is set to profoundly impact the lives of vulnerable young adults and families in Los Angeles. The center will not only provide essential behavioral and clinical health services within its walls but also reach out to children, youth, and families in the surrounding community, ensuring broader access to much-needed care.
Sponsors for the Centennial Celebration gala included Centennial Sponsor: the Louchheim family; Presenting Sponsor: David and Susan L. Hirsch; Platinum Sponsors: Annenberg Foundation, The Bakewell Company, Carrie Tsang-Hidding and Harry Hidding, Delta Dental and RPS Monument; Diamond Sponsors: The Peinado family, AEG, Bridge Builders Foundation and East West Bank; Emerald Sponsors: AltaMed, Jim Balla and Family, Banc of California, Cordoba Corporation, Frost Brown Todd Attorneys, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Jennifer Louchheim, University of Southern California, and The Shops at USC Village; Ruby Sponsors: Avina Financial Group, Jacqueline and Andrew Caster M.D., 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, Jarrett Dube, James Gallagher, Gusdorf Marketing Group, Hanson Bridgett, LLC, David Hirsch IV, Gail Kennard, LA5 Rotary, Margo Kaatz, Dae Levine, Martin H. Hodgett Foundation, Alicia Minana, Michael Okada, Patrick Pan, Ronit and Ron Stone, Shelly Holmes, Sola Impact, Monica Alfaro Welling and Virginia Wilson.
Jennifer Louchheim served as the gala chair. Honorary Committee members included Sandra Jackson-Dumont of Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, Randall Martinez of Cordoba Corporation, Writer and Director, Anika Poitier, Maria S. Salinas of Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, and John H. Semcken, III of Majestic Realty, Co.
To learn more about Wellnest and donate toward its mission, visit www.wellnestla.org.
