Minutes from downtown Fullerton, just inside Richman Park, CSUF’s Center for Healthy Neighborhoods serves families living on an annual income of less than $25,000.
Nearly 40% of the community’s residents do not access regular medical care, fewer than one-third of its children are ready for kindergarten, major depression and suicide rates among children are up 34%, almost half of 5th-graders are overweight or obese, and teens are three times more likely to drop out of high school than their classmates.
To alleviate these disparities, the donor-supported center provides mental health services, career planning and development, leadership training, health and fitness classes, parenting workshops, academic and art programs for youth — all spearheaded by CSUF faculty, staff and student interns.
“During the past four years we have trained over 600 students, most of whom are firstgeneration college students and bilingual in Spanish,” says Jessie Jones, founding director and professor emeritus of health science. “In addition to helping the community be empowered and resilient, our center is addressing the critical shortage of bilingual health and social services professionals in Orange County.”
“Cal State Fullerton students make such a difference in the lives of our children,” shares Egleth Nuncci, a single mom who has benefited from the center’s programs. “And our parents are being empowered to make positive changes in our neighborhoods.”
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the center quickly shifted to virtual services and has worked to connect residents with relief funds.
To make a gift to the Center for Healthy Neighborhoods, contact Elizabeth Eastin, director of development, at 657-278-5466 or eeastin@fullerton.edu.