About Us
WHY and WHO WE ARE
Why: The mental health and homelessness challenges in Los Angeles County can feel overwhelming. In Antelope Valley, the challenges are particularly grim, with statistics on mental health and addictions rising. The problems are complex and good solutions are multi-faceted, requiring regional partnerships to collaborate on innovative solutions. An important part of this shared leadership is the ability to cultivate collective intelligence, combining our own deep wisdom, with that coming from biological and social sciences showing that we are always growing and changing.
Who: At the start, we are a diverse group of regional citizens who committed to a six-month program called Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology (CAPP) to learn a language of wellbeing science and apply it personally and share it with those around us in our spheres of influence at home, school, work, and other parts of our Antelope Valley community. We have had two groups go through the program since 2021, with the third group slated to begin in May 2024. Apply now. Scholarships available through City of Palmdale.
What: Here is a glimpse of what we have done together. It's pretty impressive that we have been able to reach such diverse parts of our community: from youth to seniors, veterans, the disabled, homeless, and more. It takes a village to achieve a collective impact.
Our Charter
WE BELIEVE
- Wellbeing is our ability to feel good, struggle well, and function effectively. Wellbeing gives us the tools to better leverage the “highs” and navigate the “lows,” which are part of everyone’s life, so we can move beyond simply functioning towards intellectual, emotional, social, and physical thriving or flourishing.
- It is healthy for our levels of wellbeing to ebb and flow as we experience the ups and downs of life. Rather than chasing constant improvement, our goal is to more intelligently and actively care for our wellbeing, regardless of what life throws at us by amplifying our: wellbeing ability, wellbeing motivation and psychological safety.
- One way to understand, measure, and act on evidence-based approaches for improving wellbeing is by drawing on Dr. Martin Seligman’s PERMAH Framework, which points to six factors of feeling and functioning: Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment, and Health.
- Our wellbeing perceptions, experiences, and behaviors are diverse and spread through an interconnected web of social connections at the Me (individuals), We (pairs, teams, families, and small groups), and Us (workplaces, schools, churches, clubs, community) level.
- Wellbeing is not all mental and personal, it’s also structural and systemic.
- People thrive through great housing, schools, and food choices, with services that support physical and mental wellbeing education, and plenty of green space to play, gather and connect with nature, themselves, and each other.
- Local businesses flourish alongside our anchor institutions, creating an entrepreneurial and welcoming atmosphere where through policy, planning and partnership there are opportunities for all people to thrive in this great valley, and prosper.
- We take intentional action towards achieving more equity (race, sex, sexual orientation, ableness) and dismantle systemic injustices in our minds, words, actions, and affiliations that are not embodying the spirit of wellbeing.
- There is hurt and trauma in Antelope Valley. High rates of mental illness, substance abuse, and domestic violence, and a corresponding lack of available services to address these and other community health issues, are cause for concern. After all, we are still in the midst of a pandemic that has taken millions of people from their loved ones. We are watching in real time as bombs fall from Ukrainian skies and Vladimir Putin’s ground forces are slaughtering innocent people.
- While we can restore our health, hope, and humanity, many people need traditional mental health supports, like recovery programs and therapeutic treatments that can treat illness, without shame or stigma. Struggle is not a sign that we are broken or in need of fixing, it is an invitation to learning and growth.
- All people can benefit from learning coping strategies, resilience techniques, and a strengths-based language that helps us think about and see the world less harshly, and more wholeheartedly. Learning scientific strategies and having a support structure can improve our levels of resilience and performance.
- When peoples’ wellbeing is supported, it bolsters psychological and social resources, allowing for personal and professional growth, empowerment, focus, clarity, and hope. Wellbeing provides people the power to pursue our goals, and co-create a more optimal future, even through any discomfort and stress in the current moments.
- Our work to co-create more wellbeing in the Antelope Valley starts with ourselves. We must walk our own talk by learning and applying positive psychology personally, and in our relationships, here in the coalition and beyond.
- Wellbeing inspires well doing. With wellbeing we can solve some of our region’s complex problems and challenges.
- Community engagement is necessary in building a more healthy community, and therefore adopt the phrase, "don't do anything about us, without us.” Everyone is invited to participate in Coalition activities; we are inclusive--this is our people politics. Involving diverse member organizations and participants helps build consensus, engagement, credibility, influence and impact in Antelope Valley. Diversity is our greatest strength, along with our growth mindsets.
- Many organizations working together can achieve more than one organization can alone! Together we are more powerful, as we commemorate our history, and strengthen our future through connectivity to rapid transit, arts, and culture, improved civic engagement and family friendly activities that promote wellbeing for all in Antelope Valley.
We Value
WELLBEING
We operate in integrity, which means our partners and partner organizations are whole and well, not just on paper but in experience. We walk the talk. Wellbeing is our priority, and we are learning and growing around a shared language and toolbox.
RESPECT
We demonstrate respect through words and actions. Each partner is valued for the contribution they bring to the table and are not “looked down on” for weaknesses; we just choose to build from strengths, and give each other the permission to be human. We speak the truth. We respect the individuals and the collective.
EQUITY
We recognize that there are likely to be intra-coalition power differentials, as well as important external differentials (such as those between the coalition and non-organized community members or disenfranchised groups) and work to minimize the effects, staying aware that impact always trumps well-meaning intentions. We are sensitive to each others’ needs.
TRUST
We foster trust between partners and the larger community, and work hard to maintain that trust through transparency, communication, and inclusion. It generally takes time, resources, and effort to effectively build trust, and we trust the emerging process.
OPTIMISM
We choose to have hope and optimism for this process, a special kind of faith that what we are doing is urgent, important, and impactful. We will have bumps, but we choose to believe. This enhances the power of our coalition. We are optimistic that we will succeed.