Heluna Health employees are empowered to pursue meaningful work that serves our communities every day – rooted in our mission and vision. In the spirit of the holiday season and our shared commitment to improving lives, Heluna Health partnered with the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District for their “Adopt-a-Family” Holiday Assistance Program for the fourth year in a row in 2021.
The “Adopt-a-Family” Holiday Assistance Program allowed many of our staff members the opportunity to support families in need at a time when they needed it most. This year, Heluna Health staff rallied together to purchase gift cards for toys, food, clothes, and supplies for three families and one single adult student who needed an extra boost. The families included one living in a motel seeking safety from domestic abuse, a family who lost everything due to COVID-19, a family of refugees from Guatemala escaping violence and death threats, and a student who is couch surfing as she tries to graduate. Stories like these remind many of us at Heluna Health why our work to ensure population health services reach more people is so important.
Together, 40 Heluna Health employees purchased at least $5,000 worth of gift cards for families this holiday season. The “Adopt-a-Family” program asks for a minimum amount per donation, but many employees generously purchased gift cards for more than the minimum to provide extra assistance. The spirit of generosity runs deep in Heluna Health’s culture, and this small gesture allows staff to give back directly to the community we serve.
It is an honor and privilege to support students and families in the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District, especially through the persistent challenges that so many of our neighbors have faced through the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of those we supported are children under the age of 12 who may not have been fortunate to receive many gifts this holiday season. Every year the Heluna Health team receives messages of gratitude from each family we sponsor. We are endlessly moved by our connections with parents, children, and students in our community.
As we look forward to a new year, we share this gratitude with our partners, clients, supporters, and valued employees who allow us to make the difference we do every day.