Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living Programs

The Case Management team at the Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living (MHSCHL) is comprised of Bachelor level professionals who serve and help guide individuals throughout their journey to wellness. The process of case management at the MHSCHL is based on assessment, evaluation, resource brokering, and follow-up. Our case management team paves the way for autonomy for our clients and activates our mission of connecting the most vulnerable of populations to invaluable resources when needed most. They serve as an endless data bank of resources and depict a true collaborative effort within MHSCHL, its partnering agencies, and beyond. Built on the model of a true “warm hand off,” case managers fortify strong partnerships within the community and are often the bridge in ensuring that no one falls through the cracks.

The American Public Health Association has adopted the following definition of a Promotor/ Community Health Worker (CHW): A community health worker is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an usually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the worker to serve as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. A community health worker also builds individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support, and advocacy.

At the Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living (MHSCHL), our Promotores work toward a shared goal: to elevate the community they serve. They are uniquely qualified and play a pivotal role in addressing the needs of the underserved Latino communities in our surrounding area. They are agents of change; leveraging their skill set with the MHSCHL’s collaborative model to maximize their impact. Our Promotores are the frontline of the MHSCHL and stay in pulse with community needs. Through their outreach efforts, they competently and compassionately seek out and receive the community with open and welcoming arms. This integral approach facilitates connection, demonstrates integrity, and is the foundation of this working relationship. You can see our Promotores out in the community sharing about our services door-to-door, at school functions, community events, home visits, and our identified priority area Oak View.

Hoag’s Community Benefit Program has focused on meeting the unique needs of Orange County residents with particular emphasis upon the disadvantaged and underserved. Each year, Hoag’s Community Benefit Program provides grants to community organizations who strive to meet the health and social service related needs of the Orange County community.

The opportunity to apply for a grant will be made to pre-identified organizations. Invitations to apply will be extended to organizations that meet eligibility requirements and have established their ability to demonstrate positive outcomes.

For questions or to learn more about the program, please contact us at CommunityBenefitGrants@hoag.org.

Grant Term

• Funds must be used specifically for the designated program outlined in the grant application.

• If funded, a 6-month Progress Report and a Final Outcomes report will be required.

Eligibility

• Organizations must be invited to submit an application. Organizations will receive an email inviting the organization to apply.

• Organization must have operations in Orange County, CA

• Services are provided within the geographic boundaries of Orange County, CA

• Must be 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, local government entity, or educational institution

• Services are provided to disadvantaged and/or underserved populations

• Services must align with at least one of the 6 Priority Focus Areas listed above

Funding Restrictions – Hoag Community Benefit will not consider funding requests from international, social or recreational clubs, or generally for the following: sports teams and tournaments; individuals; partisan political activities; endowments or memorials; re-granting purposes to other organizations; dinners, galas, walks, or other fundraising events.

The Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living (MHSCHL) is a collaborative endeavor, bringing like-minded organizations and non-profits under one roof. The MHSCHL allows providers to take an integrated, holistic approach to community services addressing everything from health care to legal services, to mental health and social support. Through working directly with partners and the community we have intentionally created programming to address their collective needs. Together with our partners we are committed to making the greatest impact to improve community health.

To facilitate collaboration and build capacity in our community partner agencies, the MHSCHL provides non-profit partners with physical space and resources to operate out of. Located across from Hoag Hospital Newport Beach, the MHSCHL houses and partners with many organizations that provide comprehensive services. For more information about our partners and services listed please call 949-764-6551.

The Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living (MHSCHL), in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank, offers a drive-thru food and produce distribution on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month. (Dates are subject to change depending on holiday closures). Allotment of food is based on family size and is open to community. To serve more families in need, registrants will only be able to participate once a month.

In collaboration with Community Action Partnership OC, the MHSCHL offers a drive-thru Diaper and Pull Ups distribution to Orange County residents on the fourth Thursday of every month. (Dates subject to change for holiday closures). Families in need can register to receive free diapers (sizes: 0-6) and Pull-Ups (sizes 2T-5T) for up to five children in the household.

For additional information regarding our distributions and to register, please click here.

The MHSCHL offers free health and wellness classes to promote healthy habits, reduce stress, support mental health, and build community. These classes can help prevent or manage chronic conditions and improve overall health outcomes. To learn more about the events and classes offered, please call 949-764-6551.

Classes Offered:

• Yoga

• Zumba

• Zumba-Gold

• Zumbini

• Pilates

• Body Conditioning

• Balance & Stretching

• Gentle Yoga

• Yoga: Breathe & Renew

• Tai Chi

• Creative Movement

• Ballet

• Jazz

• Drumming

• Hip-Hop