Getting services to the underserved has been a struggle throughout recorded history. It takes a network of public services, private sector, nonprofits and volunteers. And, of course, it takes vision, commitment, problem-solving ability, and, most of all, money to move the needle at all. A relatively new player in this space in South Los Angeles is Avalon LA, which can trace its inspiration to the pandemic.
When COVID first erupted in 2020, Silva Moradi, CEO of the Avalon Surgery Center in Glendale and founder of Avalon LA, knew it was imperative that they regularly tested their doctors, staff, and patients pre-surgery.
“When we started expanding testing, we quickly realized there was a huge need,” says Moradi. “We validated our high-complexity laboratory under the Nobility Health brand in October 2020 and began serving the community. We were able to expand our services to local schools, universities, churches, transition homes, and a large portion of South Los Angeles, East Los Angeles, and the Valley. We have expanded our wings everywhere. We brought in the test-to-treat center, which was a state program, where we realized how much primary care was missing. Working very closely with the local organizations and the local people with everyone because we realized the gap. We purchased the property on the corner of Crenshaw and 66th Blvd., and that’s where the Avalon LA Resource Center and a much needed community clinic will open soon.”
Avalon LA’s new Wellness Pilot Program is being launched in collaboration with Canon Human Services, a renowned substance abuse program that first opened in 1988 The alliance marks a significant milestone in community health outreach, providing essential services in South Central Los Angeles.
“Our success during the pandemic brought a decent amount of financial success and benefit to the family and as a family, we decided to share with the underserved through our nonprofit,” says Moradi. “We funded our nonprofit, and up to today, every step we’ve taken has been privately funded by individuals and our family.”
Avalon LA’s mission is to provide essential resources to underserved communities throughout Los Angeles County, including quality healthcare and “championing basic human rights and dignity.”
“The way I see it, my mission is to fill in the gaps in the system,” says Moradi. “My nonprofit identifies the gaps for individuals and organizations so those who use our services can move forward stronger and better. We extend support to unhoused individuals, low-income families, and those seeking a fresh start, ensuring they can access necessities such as monetary assistance, clothing, toiletries, and warm meals. We strive to serve as a reliable link to valuable resources such as affordable housing, transport access, and legal identification.”
Avalon LA’s partnership with Canon Human Services will result in a Wellness Pilot Program that pools the experience and expertise of both organizations to address the core causes of substance abuse and promote holistic healing.
Key components of the program include general medical health services, including telehealth, medical screenings, health education, dental services, optometric exams with free glasses, pharmaceutical services, and fitness programs. Financial and legal health services provide attorneys who can help expunge records, negotiate child-support terms, and facilitate getting a driver’s license and bank accounts. One of the pilot programs involved 28 men, aged 32 to 56, who had recently been released from jail.
“The team worked with them for three months and observed the immense efforts of administrators and counselors to keep these men compliant but it was difficult to address deeper issues,” says Moradi. “That’s where we stepped in. Through our general primary care, we discovered a man with dangerously high blood pressure, requiring immediate hospitalization. Upon his return, he reported that his daily headaches had disappeared. Another man had very high blood sugar and was still using a decade-old medication dosage, resulting in a 50-pound weight gain. Nine of 10 men who had their eyes checked needed glasses.”
The legal team came in and when they asked for questions, every hand went up. Everyone had an issue, and two signed up to have us help their wife or girlfriend. Though government programs are available, they can be very slow so Avalon LA tapped private attorneys – usually young attorneys willing to do pro bono work.”
Moradi iterates that they hope to get funding in the future for legal assistance and it only takes a few months to expunge records and once that is done, participants can rent an apartment, look for a job and open a bank account without that record hanging over them.
Another big success is the twice-a-week fitness program that every single participant attended. “They love that they have guidance and many bonded with their instructor,” she says. “The program generated so much success that we have had two people already in permanent housing. Keep in mind, we don’t do housing, but we are teamed with the best organizations in town, and we know who has what program. We’ll situate them with the better housing available as soon as we are ready to transition them.”
After running for-profit companies for years, Moradi says the collaboration among nonprofits is like nothing she’s experienced in business.
“I can team up with the big nonprofits that already have funding and their programs are up and running so they can plug into our program,” she says. “And they don’t hesitate when we ask. It’s very refreshing.”
Avalon LA services are also available in Palmdale, Lancaster, Long Beach, but the primary focus will remain South Los Angeles. Avalon’s new resource center will be unveiled this year at 6622 Crenshaw Blvd in Los Angeles.
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