From top left, clockwise, NHF CEO Kelly Bruno poses with former NHF Board Chair Jess Womack; Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti called the project a model for other facilities serving homeless people; youth mariachi performers entertained the crowd; top project volunteers were recognized.  

Nearly 1,000 people joined Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, project organizers and neighbors for the opening of National Health Foundation’s care facility in the city’s Pico-Union neighborhood on Oct. 12.

Founded by HASC in 1973 as a charitable affiliate, NHF now runs four centers that provide people experiencing homelessness a place to recuperate following release from hospital. The newly-opened facility is NHF’s biggest — almost doubling the program’s capacity with 62 new beds.

With its Pico-Union success, NHF was embraced by the community, which hasn’t been the case for other centers serving homeless people from communities across the region. Speaking at the opening, NHF CEO Kelly Bruno said careful outreach took “not-in-my-backyard and turned it on its head to YIMBY – yes in my backyard.”

Maria Thomas, who lives next door, said neighbors “endured a lot” with squatters occupying the building, a former sanitarium, in recent years. “Look at that building,” she said. “What an amazing job they’ve done!”

NHF’s recuperative care program served 950 people last year. With the program expansion, HASC’s charitable partner will serve close to 1,700 individuals next year.

Partnering with HASC, Dignity Health, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente and Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center sponsored Friday’s block party event. Many more organizations, including HomeAid Los Angeles, ETCO Homes and The Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative, contributed to make the project a reality.  

Click here to learn how NHF’s recuperative care program can house patients following discharge from hospital.

Contact:
Cynthia Prado
(213) 538-0754
cprado@nhfca.org