5 Organizations Providing Important Services to Los Angeles Area Residents

Even in tough economic times, no one should have to go without essential services. These organizations are all committed to making sure the less fortunate have access to medical care, mental health services, suicide prevention therapy, grief support, legal aid, and housing. These groups work throughout the city to stem the tide of inequality by offering a helping hand to those in need. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.

5 Essential Los Angeles Organizations

Name Area Focus
Venice Family Clinic Venice, Santa Monica, Culver City, Inglewood, Mar Vista Health care services including dental, vision, behavioral health, substance abuse, and community wellness programs for children and adults
Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services Culver City Mental health, substance abuse, and suicide prevention therapy, along with training and educational initiatives
OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center Koreatown, West LA, Woodland Hills Support groups, training, and workshops for the bereaved, including programs in schools and resources tailored for different age groups
Bet Tzedek Koreatown Legal services for seniors, families, those with disabilities, workers, low-income individuals, and other people in need of quality representation
Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles Mid-City/MacArthur Park, Van Nuys, Torrance Works to create safe, affordable housing and supports members of the community through a variety of programs aimed at self-sufficiency and economic stability

The Many People Helped By Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services

Los Angeles Statistical Snapshot

The Experience of a Grief Support Group at OUR HOUSE

Hunger and Homelessness in California

In Depth

Of the millions of residents who call the Los Angeles area home, there are many who face adversities such as poverty, homelessness, abuse, and disability. Fortunately, numerous organizations are out there lending a helping hand, ensuring that people have access to the resources they need in order to live healthy, secure, and successful lives. Working to alleviate all manner of hardships and strengthen the longterm welfare of communities, here are, in no particular order, five groups that provide important services to residents throughout the LA area.

At #1 is Venice Family Clinic, which provides accessible, comprehensive, and high-quality health care and supportive programs to people in need. Across twelve locations, it offers a plethora of services focused on primary and specialty care, dental and vision care, behavioral health, substance addiction, child development, and more. Working to address the myriad social factors that impact patients' well-beings, it also offers community wellness services such as case management, cooking classes, and an innovative street medicine program that gives assistance to the homeless.

Driven by a holistic approach, Venice Family Clinic utilizes an integrative medicine model that combines conventional and alternative treatment practices, plus complementary services such as nutrition education and stress management. It also provides valuable resources through advocacy, help with insurance enrollment, and opportunities for people to make their voices heard on a patient advisory council. Further engaging and strengthening the community are a number of public health fairs, classes, and fitness activities. Help ensure people have access to the health care they need by sending a gift to the Clinic online.

Driven by a holistic approach, Venice Family Clinic utilizes an integrative medicine model that combines conventional and alternative treatment practices, plus complementary services such as nutrition education and stress management.

For #2 we get Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services. The first community-based adult outpatient clinic in LA, Didi Hirsch is devoted to providing free mental health, suicide prevention, and substance use services to communities held back by poverty or stigma. Today, it helps over 120,000 adults and children across the Los Angeles metro area every year, offering a continuum of services covering prevention, early intervention, and treatment. In addition, Didi Hirsch engages in advocacy initiatives to fight for improved mental health care funding statewide, and provides training programs for clinical professionals, students, and first responders.

Central to Didi Hirsch is its preeminent Suicide Prevention Center, which provides comprehensive support through therapy, crisis services, and education and training. For low-income children and adults with mental or behavioral health challenges, treatment options are available at outpatient clinics, residential facilities, and many schools and community locations. Finally, the organization addresses substance use issues through individual, group, and family services, and offers a special residential program that helps mothers recover without having to leave behind their children. To aid Didi Hirsch's efforts, consider volunteering as a crisis counselor.

Coming in at #3 is OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center. Driven by the understanding that those in mourning need support, empathy, and affection, OUR HOUSE works to help thousands of bereaved children, teens, and adults heal and find hope in the future. Its services include in-house support groups, professional trainings, education, and on-site grief response at schools, at its centers, and in various community settings throughout the LA area. The organization also provides a number of valuable tools and resources on its website that assist people in understanding and processing different kinds of grief.

Driven by the understanding that those in mourning need support, empathy, and affection, OUR HOUSE works to help thousands of bereaved children, teens, and adults heal and find hope in the future.

Tailored according to age groups and relationships to the person who passed, OUR HOUSE's support groups foster safe, inviting environments where people can find solace in others. Kids and teens who have lost a parent can join in-house groups, which involve writing exercises and creative activities. School-based groups and summer grief camps are other options for youth, while adults can join groups focused on the loss of family members and friends. In addition, OUR HOUSE offers many education opportunities for professionals such as classes and workshops. Donate to the organization's school-based program to ensure that bereaved children get the care they require.

For #4 we have Bet Tzedek, a non-profit law firm dedicated to providing free, high-quality legal aid to thousands of LA's most vulnerable residents. Assisting over 40,000 people every year, its services help families stay in their homes, protect seniors and those with disabilities, and secure access to stable housing, legal wages, and other resources critical to people's longterm welfare. With its committed attorneys and advocates supporting and representing citizens from all walks of life, Bet Tzedek strives to bring social justice to communities across the city.

Maintaining a focus on improving life conditions for low-income seniors and disabled adults, Bet Tzedek offers services such as elder abuse prevention, legal assistance for Holocaust survivors, and help with public benefits such as Social Security. Equally important is the group's Economic Justice program, which supports workers through direct representation and small business development, and uses advocacy and litigation to help victims of human trafficking. There are also Rapid Response programs designed to aid homeless people, immigrant families, and the transgender community. If you practice law, consider volunteering with Bet Tzedek as a pro bono attorney.

Maintaining a focus on improving life conditions for low-income seniors and disabled adults, Bet Tzedek offers services such as elder abuse prevention, legal assistance for Holocaust survivors, and help with public benefits such as Social Security.

Finally, arriving at #5 is the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles. Formed in 1938, HACLA is the city's leading supplier of safe, affordable housing. Committed to enhancing the quality of life for homeless, low-income, and special needs individuals, it provides a wide breadth of programs that include supportive housing, voucher assistance, family self-sufficiency services, and much more. HACLA owns and operates over 9,000 units across the city, and issues monthly home assistance payments for over 50,000 families in need.

HACLA's sundry programs encompass both public and Section 8 housing, as well as development services and asset management. Among the bevy of important offerings are rental assistance subsidy programs, which provide permanent affordable housing and supportive services to the chronically homeless, including military veterans, families, and disabled people. Many apartment buildings have active Service Coordinators, who offer help through counseling and advocacy. Through partnerships with other organizations, HACLA also facilitates valuable educational, recreational, and career-based activities. You can do your part by spreading the word on social media.