In 2025, Providence St. Joseph Orange Community Health and Providence’s Well Being Trust partnered with Project Hope Alliance (PHA) to provide on-site case management services for students experiencing housing instability at Westminster High School in the Huntington Beach Union High School District.
PHA provides underserved students across Orange County with individualized academic guidance, emotional support and connections to essential resources. Case managers are embedded in schools to connect with students and address barriers that interfere with attendance and graduation. Through the partnership, 30 Westminster High School students received case management services during the year.
In August, Providence caregivers visited PHA’s facility to help distribute backpacks with school supplies to support students throughout the academic year.
“Project Hope Alliance’s work in our joint service area helps strengthen mental and behavioral healthcare for underserved populations, and we’re honored to support it,” said Cecilia Bustamante Pixa, senior director, community health, Orange County/High Desert.
Providence St. Jude Medical Center further supported youth and families through its Move More, Eat Healthy Initiative, a St. Jude-sponsored program enhancing physical activity environments in low‑income neighborhoods in north Orange County.
In September, the initiative collaborated with the City of Fullerton Parks and Recreation, Smile Generation® and KABOOM! to build a community-designed playground at Union Pacific Park in Fullerton. St. Jude caregivers joined more than 200 volunteers to complete the playground in a single day.
“The playground represents a step toward building healthier and more equitable communities,” said Peter Hernandez, MPH, manager, community services, Providence St. Jude Medical Center. “We’re proud to support sustainable changes that increase access to safe, active spaces.”
Guided by long-term goals of ensuring equitable access for the poor and vulnerable, Providence’s community partnerships promote health and well-being across Orange County.
