Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
New Healing Center for Youth Opens in Downtown Merced
the_merced_focus
By The Merced Focus
Published 1 month ago on
October 14, 2024

New youth wellness hub in Merced aims to provide resources and normalize mental health conversations among young people. (The Merced FOCUS)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

A new resource center that connects youth with a variety of services, organizations and activities has opened in downtown Merced.

Author Profile Picture

Merced Focus Staff

The Merced FOCUS

The new Healing Generation Center is a youth wellness hub dedicated to providing resources and services for vulnerable youth in Merced County, according to a news release.

Located at 1726 M Street, the center was spearheaded by the Youth Leadership Institute in collaboration with Merced County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services. A grand opening event was held Tuesday, Oct. 1.

A Long-Awaited Resource

Jesse Ornelas, program director of Youth Leadership Institute, said the center was six years in the making. The idea was sparked after teen participants in a summer academy emphasized “very passionately” the need for a youth wellness center, said Ornelas.

He added that the center’s partnership with Merced County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services enhances its ability to connect youth with services they need.

Ornelas, whose term is about to expire representing District 1 on the Merced City Council, said he’s looking forward to putting his energy into the wellness center as part of his post-political life.

“It’s been a goal of mine for a long time. I think I have the right people at the right time on my team to really make this happen,” he said.

Ornelas said his organization collaborated with Merced County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services in applying for a grant to make the center possible.

Addressing Mental Health Stigma

“Currently in youth communities of color, there’s a stigma around mental health, and getting help,” Ornelas said. “We kind of want to normalize conversations about wellness, especially among young people.”

Supervisor Rodrigo Espinosa, who represents District 1 on the Merced County Board of Supervisors, came out to the grand opening in support of the effort, saying it will be another resource to help young people in need.

“Whether it’s mental (health), or finding themselves, or finding a job, I think this is just a perfect location,” Espinosa said. “We need to continue supporting, as a county, these centers.”

He hopes the center can eventually expand beyond Merced to other areas of the county.

The center will also offer programming and resources provided by local organizations like Valley Onward, Hlub Hmong Center, Somos Familia Central, and Urbanists Collective, according to the YLI website.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Republicans Win 218 US House Seats, Giving Donald Trump and the Party Control of Government

DON'T MISS

Fresno State Alum Is New Dean of Health and Human Services College

DON'T MISS

Who Is Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Florida Congressman Donald Trump Picked to Serve as AG?

DON'T MISS

The Key Races to Watch: Nov. 13 Update

DON'T MISS

Feds Agree to Raise San Luis Reservoir: More Water for Farmers, Communities, Wetlands

DON'T MISS

Wired Wednesday: What Impact Does Deportation Have on the Central Valley?

DON'T MISS

How Will Election Winners Bredefeld and Chavez Fit in as Supervisors?

DON'T MISS

California Senate Leader Calls Union ‘Morally Bankrupt’ for Opposing a Vulnerable Democrat

DON'T MISS

R&B Concerts, Comedy, & Worship Take Center Stage This Weekend

DON'T MISS

Speaker Mike Johnson Wins GOP Nomination to Remain in Job, Faces Full House Vote in New Year

UP NEXT

Fresno State Alum Is New Dean of Health and Human Services College

UP NEXT

Who Is Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Florida Congressman Donald Trump Picked to Serve as AG?

UP NEXT

The Key Races to Watch: Nov. 13 Update

UP NEXT

Feds Agree to Raise San Luis Reservoir: More Water for Farmers, Communities, Wetlands

UP NEXT

Wired Wednesday: What Impact Does Deportation Have on the Central Valley?

UP NEXT

California Senate Leader Calls Union ‘Morally Bankrupt’ for Opposing a Vulnerable Democrat

UP NEXT

R&B Concerts, Comedy, & Worship Take Center Stage This Weekend

UP NEXT

Speaker Mike Johnson Wins GOP Nomination to Remain in Job, Faces Full House Vote in New Year

UP NEXT

ICE Immediately Moves to Bolster Surveillance of Illegal Immigrants After Trump Win

UP NEXT

You Can Win a Lexus in This Fresno Telethon Drawing. Get Tickets Now.

The Key Races to Watch: Nov. 13 Update

7 hours ago

Feds Agree to Raise San Luis Reservoir: More Water for Farmers, Communities, Wetlands

7 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: What Impact Does Deportation Have on the Central Valley?

7 hours ago

How Will Election Winners Bredefeld and Chavez Fit in as Supervisors?

8 hours ago

California Senate Leader Calls Union ‘Morally Bankrupt’ for Opposing a Vulnerable Democrat

8 hours ago

R&B Concerts, Comedy, & Worship Take Center Stage This Weekend

9 hours ago

Speaker Mike Johnson Wins GOP Nomination to Remain in Job, Faces Full House Vote in New Year

9 hours ago

ICE Immediately Moves to Bolster Surveillance of Illegal Immigrants After Trump Win

9 hours ago

You Can Win a Lexus in This Fresno Telethon Drawing. Get Tickets Now.

10 hours ago

Trump Says He Will Nominate Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida to Be Attorney General

10 hours ago

Republicans Win 218 US House Seats, Giving Donald Trump and the Party Control of Government

WASHINGTON — Republicans have won enough seats to control the U.S. House, completing the party’s sweep into power and securing their hold on...

3 hours ago

3 hours ago

Republicans Win 218 US House Seats, Giving Donald Trump and the Party Control of Government

7 hours ago

Fresno State Alum Is New Dean of Health and Human Services College

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., speaks at the Republican Party of Florida Freedom Summit, Nov. 4, 2023, in Kissimmee, Fla. (AP File)
7 hours ago

Who Is Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Florida Congressman Donald Trump Picked to Serve as AG?

7 hours ago

The Key Races to Watch: Nov. 13 Update

7 hours ago

Feds Agree to Raise San Luis Reservoir: More Water for Farmers, Communities, Wetlands

Wired Wednesday Cover, 11/13/24, KMPH Screengrab
7 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: What Impact Does Deportation Have on the Central Valley?

8 hours ago

How Will Election Winners Bredefeld and Chavez Fit in as Supervisors?

8 hours ago

California Senate Leader Calls Union ‘Morally Bankrupt’ for Opposing a Vulnerable Democrat

Search

Send this to a friend