Supervisor Kathryn Barger poses alongside Eaton Health Village honorees (Photo – David Franco, L.A. County)
In Recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Supervisor Kathryn Barger Honors Healthcare Heroes Behind Eaton Health Village.
By News Desk
During Tuesday’s public hearing, Supervisor Barger honored the team behind Eaton Health Village—a locally driven partnership that delivered critical mental health and medical support to the Altadena community during its time of crisis.
“In the aftermath of a disaster, it’s important for survivors to feel seen, supported, and cared for,” said Supervisor Barger. “That’s exactly what this remarkable team of providers delivered, a safe and healing space for individuals navigating one of the darkest chapters of their lives. Their lifesaving mental health support is nothing short of heroic.”
Eaton Health Village was spearheaded by a coalition of organizations, including Heritage Clinic, MAHI International, Medical Mission Adventures, Molina Healthcare, and local faith-based institutions. Together, they provided vital medical services to more than 500 individuals and distributed essential supplies to nearly 3,000 residents affected by the wildfire. Most importantly, every person who sought help was connected with a mental health professional.
Week after week, even after the flames were extinguished, the Eaton Health Village team remained a steady presence, a source of support as the community began the long journey to recovery.
Dr. Evelyn Wong, Executive Director of Medical Mission Adventures, reflected on the effort: “As we continue to stand by our community through the long road of recovery, we’re reminded that healing doesn’t happen alone. For a disaster of this magnitude, it truly takes a village to heal a village.”
Cameron Smyth, Vice President of State Government Affairs for Molina Healthcare, emphasized the importance of local partnerships: “Molina Healthcare has been a fixture in L.A. County for over 40 years and has always been dedicated to serving its local communities, especially during times of need.”
From a faith-based perspective, Dr. Bryon Rivera of Heritage Clinic highlighted the deeper mission behind their work: “Because we have been freely loved by God, we are compelled to extend that love to the Altadena community through free mental health support. It has been, and continues to be, an honor to serve alongside such mission-minded individuals and organizations.”
The work of Eaton Health Village is far from over. The team is now preparing to launch free group therapy sessions and trauma-focused care, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)—an evidence-based treatment proven effective for survivors of trauma and loss. These ongoing services will be funded through continued grant support.
Leave a Reply