Community Resource Centers

Warm and Welcoming Spaces for All to Stay Active, Healthy and Informed

Early on a blistering summer morning in July 2023, Martha Mena, with children in tow, arrived at the L.A. Care and Blue Shield Promise Community Resource Center in Lynwood with one mission: get free backpacks and school supplies at the center’s annual back-to-school resource fair. Much to her surprise, she walked away with that – and much more.

At the time, Martha had just received the state’s Medi-Cal renewal packet, and was overwhelmed at the thought of properly filling out forms she hardly understood. She was consumed by the fear of losing coverage for her children, especially as one of them has special needs. 

As it turns out, Martha visited one of the many resource booths, and discovered the center offers in-person assistance with health care coverage enrollment. She promptly made an appointment to meet with an enrollment specialist. Within a week, the paperwork was filled out and sent in. Her children were back on track to maintaining their Medi-Cal coverage. Martha could breathe again.

Martha is among tens of thousands of people served annually at the Community Resource Centers jointly operated by L.A. Care and Blue Shield Promise. The centers, which offer a range of free classes, programs and services designed to enhance the total quality of life for health plan members and their communities, serve as a gateway to improved health and overall well-being.    

In 2019, the two health plans joined forces to expand L.A. Care’s existing network of resource centers, with the goal of having 14 locations in under-resourced communities across Los Angeles County by 2024. L.A. Care's $71 million contribution to date  –  which is a part of the $146 million joint commitment from both health plans over five years  –  has paved the way for countless county residents to access much-needed resources.