CREATEVoices of Wellness Podcast
The "Voices of Wellness" podcast, hosted by Ashinee (Ash) Reynolds and created in partnership with local youth, will elevate voices around mental health, healing, and community wellness. The project provides hands-on experience in digital storytelling and media production while building mental health awareness and connecting LA communities with wellness resources.
What is the primary issue area that your application will impact?
Access to tech and creative industry employment
In which areas of Los Angeles will you be directly working?
South LA East LA West LA San Gabriel Valley San Fernando Valley County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit) City of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a citywide benefit) Central LA Long Beach
In what stage of innovation is this project, program, or initiative?
Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)
What is your understanding of the issue that you are seeking to address?
In Los Angeles, youth from marginalized communities often face systemic barriers to both mental health support and creative industry access. This disconnect leaves many without outlets for self-expression, healing, or future career pathways. Simultaneously, mental health stigma persists in these communities. There is a need for culturally relevant platforms that give youth tools to express themselves while normalizing wellness conversations.
Describe the project, program, or initiative this grant will support to address the issue.
The "Voices of Wellness" podcast will be a vibrant, youth-centered media project tackling mental health and wellness through storytelling. Hosted by Ashinee Reynolds, Pepperdine graduate, international wellness educator, and life coach, the podcast will feature diverse guests—from therapists to creatives to youth leaders. Participants will be trained in podcast production, content development, and digital storytelling. Each episode will highlight a mental health topic, community story, or local wellness event, with ties to in-person workshops by Modern Day Wellness Group. This grant will fund youth internships, equipment, facilitator stipends, and podcast production. Public workshops and live podcast recordings at the Santa Monica Black Empowerment Association will extend the impact and deepen community engagement. A portion of the budget will also support the development of a companion mobile app that will provide youth and community members with interactive mental health tools, podcast access, and localized wellness resources.
We will collaborate with GeriSmiles Foundation to include dental services in our community wellness days. Research shows strong links between oral health and mental health—chronic dental pain and poor oral hygiene can increase stress, depression, and anxiety. By offering free dental cleanings and resources through GeriSmiles during our Mental Health & Wellness events, we will provide holistic care that addresses both physical and emotional well-being.
Describe how Los Angeles County will be different if your work is successful.
A successful program will result in a youth-led platform that builds confidence, creative skills, and wellness literacy. More young people will access mental health resources, discover pathways to creative careers, and feel seen in stories shared. The program will also foster community connection through events and workshops. Since equipment has been invested in for health and wellness, Ashinee Reynolds will continue to produce the podcast, expanding its reach across Los Angeles to include nonprofits, companies, and local leaders. This will amplify awareness of mental health resources in diverse neighborhoods and provide practical tools for emotional well-being—potentially serving as a model for statewide or national impact.
Approximately how many people will be impacted by this project, program, or initiative?
Direct Impact: 1,500
Indirect Impact: 12,000