Public Health Foundation Enteprises Inc dba Heluna Health

Heluna Health’s Youth Development Services (YDS) program empowers communities in central Los Angeles to break cycles of gang violence and trauma by promoting peace, self-sufficiency, and quality of life for youth and young adults. YDS uses a comprehensive community-based approach to provide outreach, education & workforce development, peace maintenance, violence intervention & prevention, crisis response, and individualized support services to at-risk or gang-involved individuals ages 14-25.

Heluna Health will pilot the Games for Community Health program to create an escape room experience that engages youth in wildfire preparedness training. In partnership with a local Scouting organization, school-aged youth and families in the Verdugo Hills community will learn how to prepare themselves and protect their health during wildfire and smoke events. This preparedness program serves to empower youth and their families, building resilience and environmental health literacy in a community with high wildfire and smoke impacts.

Heluna Health is working with the City of Los Angeles on a 24/7 unarmed response program that deploys mental health professionals to respond to non-urgent 911 calls related to people experiencing homelessness. Our program (CIRCLE) provides compassionate, trauma-informed care within the Pacific area of West LA. CIRCLE teams have reversed opioid-related overdoses, placed hundreds of individuals into interim housing, responded to community needs, and helped connect access to resources.