In commemoration of May as Mental Health Awareness Month in Los Angeles County, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger honored the team behind Eaton Health Village at the start of this week’s Public Hearing Meeting, a locally driven partnership that provided urgent, compassionate mental health care to impacted Altadena residents in the wake of the Eaton Fire.
“In the aftermath of a disaster, it’s important for survivors to feel seen, supported, and cared for,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “That’s exactly what this remarkable team of providers delivered–a safe and healing space for individuals navigating one of the darkest chapters of their lives. Their lifesaving mental health support is nothing short of heroic. This month is the perfect time to honor the profound contributions of those behind the Eaton Health Village.”
Led by organizations including Heritage Clinic, MAHI International, Medical Mission Adventures, Molina Healthcare, and local faith based institutions, the Eaton Health Village provided medical care to over 500 individuals and distributed essential supplies to nearly 3,000 people. Every person who reached out was connected with a mental health professional. The Eaton Health Village team relentlessly showed up week after week, becoming a steady presence for wildfire survivors.
The providers who were honored yesterday reflected on their work and experiences helping Eaton Fire survivors begin to heal and regain control of their lives.
“We are deeply grateful to Los Angeles County for the incredible collaboration and unwavering support we received in the week of this devastating disaster,” said Dr. Evelyn Wong, Executive Director of Medical Mission Adventures. “As we continue to stand by our community through the long road of recovery, we’re reminded that healing doesn’t happen alone. For a disaster of this magnitude, it truly takes a village to heal a village.”
“Molina Healthcare has been a fixture in L.A. County for over 40 years and has always been dedicated to serving its local communities, especially during times of need,” said Cameron Smyth, Vice President of State Government Affairs for Molina Healthcare. “Many Molina team members and partners call Southern California home, and it was an honor to help create Eaton Health Village with our local partners.”
“Because we have been freely loved by God, we are compelled to extend that love to the Altadena community through free mental health support. It has been – and continues to be – an honor to serve alongside such mission-minded individuals and organizations,” said Dr. Bryon Rivera, Director of Training at Heritage Clinic.
The Eaton Health Village’s work is ongoing. The team is now preparing to launch free group therapy sessions and offer trauma-focused care using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy–a powerful, evidence-based therapy used to help people heal from trauma stemming from loss and other distressing events. This work is all being made possible through grant support.