Every year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, the world celebrates Giving Tuesday, a global movement that ignites generosity and inspires people everywhere to do good. For more than 71 years, Hoag has been doing good in our community not only through exceptional health care services but also by caring for the most vulnerable members of our community. This year on Giving Tuesday, donors gave to empower Hoag in its mission to provide food, shelter, mental health resources, educational support, and other crucial needs to the under-resourced through the work of the Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living.

“The Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living goes beyond the walls of the hospital and the health care setting to support the underserved in living healthy lives,” said Rocio Valencia, LCSW, manager of the Mental Health Center at the Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living. “Philanthropy really leverages the different programming and services we offer at the center and allows us to reach more people in need.”

A collaborative endeavor, the Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living brings together like-minded organizations and nonprofits under one roof to bridge the gap in services, build capacity, and maximize impact in our under-resourced communities. The center allows providers to take an integrated, holistic approach to community services, addressing everything from health care to legal services, to wellness and social support.

Funds raised through this year’s Giving Tuesday campaign at Hoag supported a number of initiatives at the center including art supplies for after-school programs, providing diapers and car seats to families in need, and conducting mental health workshops throughout the community. Giving Tuesday donors are also helping the center meet some of the most fundamental needs of those it serves through grocery gift cards and emergency housing assistance. “We are in a unique and blessed position to support people,” said Rocio. “When an individual or family is in crisis, we help them address the immediate issues so that they can start thinking long term.” The center goes even further by linking individuals with other community services they can benefit from like financial literacy programs or legal services.

If you missed Giving Tuesday this year, it is not too late to support these life-changing programs at the Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living.

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