On March 31, 2022, CHOC’s community of supporters came together—united—for the inaugural Unidos Por CHOC event, a special celebration dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of Latino children in Orange County.
Hosted at the Northgate Gonzalez Markets corporate headquarters in Anaheim, the evening was filled with live entertainment, heartfelt giving and a significant matching gift from the event’s title sponsor, Bank of America.
Raising approximately $231,000, with Bank of America’s matching gift of $50,000, proceeds from the event will help CHOC’s Wellness on Wheels (WoW) program, a mobile, neighborhood-based, pediatric wellness program that directly brings resources, education and services to underserved children and families in their communities.
Meeting Families Where They Are
Large sections of Orange County communities have persistently lacked adequate health care due to a variety of factors, such as language and transportation barriers, lack of culturally relevant outreach and preventative education—in addition to other economic obstacles.
“What we saw is that there was a huge component of kids in underserved communities, mainly Hispanic kids, who did not have access to care,” shared Dr. Olga Guijon, CHOC pediatrician, who spoke at the Unidos Por CHOC event. “They would be referred to specialists, but couldn’t get to the specialist because of transportation issues. And then, once they did, they would go into a big medical center that is overwhelming for them because of the language and cultural barriers. And then, for other families, it was the financial barrier. They did not have insurance.”
Bank of America is committed to advancing racial and economic equality in Orange County, including increasing access to quality healthcare for those who face these barriers.
“CHOC’s Wellness on Wheels program takes healthcare out of the clinics and doctors’ offices and into the neighborhoods of residents who need outreach the most,” said Maricella Solorzano, senior vice president, client advisor, Bank of America Private Bank and CHOC Latino Advisory Council member. “The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the economic and health inequities experienced by a community when residents do not have regular access to quality care and health education. As a leading financial institution committed to meeting people where they are in order to make their financial lives better, it makes all the sense in the world to partner with CHOC.”
With the anticipated launch of WoW in late 2022, the program will be an incredible asset, providing families with ease of access and peace of mind by being out in the community where the families live and providing culturally competent care in Spanish. (Read more on the impact that WoW will have in the community)
Philanthropic Spirit
The launch and growth of WoW is dependent on community philanthropy—and that spirit of giving is strong through the Latino Advisory Council, which focuses its fundraising efforts for Wellness on Wheels through this Unidos Por CHOC event.
Each council member is committed to inspire the Latino community to give in ways that benefit Latino children and families served by CHOC. And that’s especially important because more than 50% of the kids and families that CHOC serves are Latino.
We are grateful to our amazing donors, sponsors and the Latino Advisory Council for making the second annual Unidos Por CHOC, and first in-person event, a major success. Your generosity and support will help CHOC develop, advance and launch Wellness on Wheels throughout Orange County and beyond.
Catch up on the Unidos Por CHOC celebration with the photos below.
Driven By Philanthropy
Wellness on Wheels is driven by philanthropic support to be able to bring resources, education and services for underserved children and their families directly in their communities. Donate to help CHOC develop, launch and grow this amazing program throughout Orange County and beyond.
