allcove receives a new grant, is featured in the Daily Breeze and more

Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) has been awarded a $6.3 million grant from the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP). The BHCIP supports behavioral health infrastructure projects in the state and this grant will help fund the new construction of a permanent home for allcove Beach Cities, here in Redondo Beach.

This grant brings the total amount of state and federal monies raised for allcove Beach Cities to $9.3 million to date!!!

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This past weekend, BCHD honored the inaugural cohort of the allcove Beach Cities Youth Advisory Group with the Youth Award for Excellence in Volunteering. The group of 8 young volunteer leaders contributed 475+ hours during their yearlong commitment to allcove Beach Cities, and demonstrated compassion, integrity, accountability and excellence in championing supportive health services for young people throughout SPA 8. Congratulations to Marin C., Colin C., Rani C., John H., Camille J., Jennalee L., Mollie O. and Chase S. and thank you all for your passion and efforts!

This South Bay mental health center is reducing stigma — and helping young people

By: Tyler Shaun Evains, Daily Breeze

The allcove Beach Cities Center, on the fourth floor of the Beach Cities Health District, held its official grand opening celebration earlier this year, its free services have already started dismantling mental health stigma around the South Bay.

allcove Beach Cities has five dedicated practitioners and one third-party provider, officials said. More than 850 youth have come through the center since it opened, officials said.

(Trigger Warning: Mention of Suicide)

coffee in the cove with James Ludka

allcove Beach Cities offers substance use and prevention counseling services to support young people thanks to James Ludka. As one of the center’s service providers, James meets with people individually to address substance use and support those looking to find ways towards well-being. Let’s get to know James a little better!

Favorite Vacation Spot: My favorite vacation spot is Joshua Tree National Park. I have been rock climbing for most of my adult life and Joshua Tree is a top spot for challenging my endurance and fear of heights. The high desert scenery is amazing as well!

Favorite Trait About Yourself: My favorite trait about myself would probably be my humor. I look at humor as a way to connect with others, express myself and laugh, laugh, laugh! Laughter is great medicine! And it's free!

One talent you have that no one would guess: I can bake a delicious sourdough loaf, though the bagels may be better! 

What superpower would you have: I love everything about the ocean, so probably the ability to hold my breath indefinitely, like scuba diving without running out of air in my tank! Think Aquaman!

What made you want to get into this work: I like to help, and I have a difficult time watching people suffer. My life, like so many, has been affected by addiction and this is the best way I know of to give back to our community. 

What are you most excited about working at allcove Beach Cities: I love making new connections and new friends! allcove Beach Cities has such an inviting atmosphere.  From the smiles of our staff to all the amazing resources for our young people, this facility has everything a young person needs to find safety, support and kindness in a mental health setting.

We’re so glad to have James as part of allcove Beach Cities, and to have his supportive services be offered as a resource here!

allcove in the community: Event Recaps

allcove Beach Cities @ allcove Conference

April 14-15, 2023

Chase, Marin, Camille and Jennalee, members of the allcove Beach Cities Youth Advisory Group, were able to attend the allcove Conference in San Mateo, CA on Friday April 14 and Saturday April 15 along with their parents and allcove Beach Cities staff. The conference was attended by youth advisory groups, stakeholders, elected officials, fellow grantees, adult allies from across the state of California, as well as international partners, working to support the well-being of young people across the state. Members of the allcove Beach Cities Youth Advisory Group participated in the Youth Planning Committee for the conference event, and one even shared her experience on the Youth Panel as part of the conference program.

We also got to tour allcove Palo Alto and see their work firsthand together! It was an incredible few days together connecting with fellow allcove teams, learning and dreaming about the future of youth health supports. We are so thankful to our parent chaperones, partners at Stanford University, the Central allcove Team and Mental Health Services Oversight & Accountability Commission (MHSOAC) for making it possible!

elevate & empower

April 29, 2023

allcove Beach Cities kicked off Mental Health Awareness Month with elevate & empower on Saturday April 29. More than 100 attendees enjoyed live music, food and interactive activities. These fun activities included a rainforest exhibit, affirmation mirrors, t-shirt making, bracelet making and more! Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi joined youth leaders for a roundtable discussion “How to elevate and empower youth voices for mental health.” The first 150 attendees were entered into a raffle to win a surfboard, donated by Spyder Surf!

Adams Middle School Health & Wellness Festival

May 13, 2023

Thank you to Adams Middle School for having us for their Health & Wellness Festival! We connected with so many community members and shared about allcove Beach Cities with our fellow health supporters. We worked alongside BCHD’s Mental Health is Health campaign, AdventurePlex brought their inflatable and the team also shared a VR mindfulness activity with attendees. Adams student volunteers helped us get set up and we are so grateful for them!

Lawndale High School Student Mental Health Awareness Event

May 19, 2023

allcove Beach Cities was able to share resources with students and staff at Lawndale High School for their Mental Health Awareness Event. The event was hosted by Lawndale High School staff as well as the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA). It was an incredible event with so many resources and supports available. Thank you to the team at Lawndale High School for their kindness! It was so fun to meet hundreds of your students.

Upcoming Events

Click here to register for the events below

Open Mic Night

Saturday, May 27

6 - 9 p.m.

Calling all musicians, magicians, poets, and anyone seeking to share their talent.

Photo credit: Youth Artists Society and Indivisible Arts

Paint and Pause

Thursday, May 30

5 - 6 p.m.

Tuesday, June 14

5 - 6 p.m.

Connect to your creativity and join us for a guided painting class. Materials will be provided. 

Finding Student Enrichment Opportunities

Thursday, June 1

4 - 6 p.m.

Join us for a workshop to explore possibilities that will enrich your career, education and personal life. Learn about inspired career pathways and how to research career, volunteer and educational opportunities.

CPR Education Workshop

Friday, June 16

5 - 6:30 p.m.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency lifesaving procedure performed when the heart stops beating. This workshop will include the basic education of CPR and how to respond to an emergency.

Note: This workshop is not a CPR certification class.

Resources for Families

Family Support Group

Every 2nd Wednesday of the month

5:30 – 7 p.m.

A group of families helping other families who live with mental health challenges by utilizing their collective lived experiences and learned wisdom. Call (310) 374-5706 to register.

Family Coaching

Family coaching is available for parents/caregivers on how to build a strong and lasting relationship with their young person. Call (310) 374-5706 to make an appointment.

Wellness Recipe

Check out this healthy recipe created and shared by our AmeriCorps Public Health Member at allcove Beach Cities, Jimena. Let us know what you think of this healthy recipe or if it inspires you to try something new!

Matcha Chia Pudding

Chia pudding has gotten a lot of attention recently, as it should! Chia seeds are high in fiber and other minerals. I love chia pudding; it's an easy breakfast or snack and is super simple to make. One of my favorite chia pudding recipes is Matcha Chia Pudding. If I can add matcha to anything, I will definitely do it! The main ingredient for any chia pudding is, of course, chia seeds, and your preferred milk or water. The key to getting perfect consistency is in getting the correct measurements and mixing it well. Adding sweeteners or toppings is always optional and it really depends on your preferences. Below is the recipe for a delicious matcha pudding that is my favorite!

You will need:

4 tablespoons of chia seeds
1 cup of oat milk
2-3 teaspoons of matcha powder
Honey
Strawberries for topping (optional)

Directions:

First, pour one cup of the oat milk into a container (I use mason jars and Extra Creamy Oat milk).
Next mix in the 4 tablespoons of chia seeds. Sometimes I add just a pinch of chia seeds if I feel like it's too much liquid.
Once that has been mixed very, very, well, add in the matcha powder.
Lastly, add in the honey or whatever sweetener you prefer.
Mix very well.
Cover and leave overnight.