Velnonart Transformative Health

VELNONART TRANSFORMATIVE HEALTH

"True harm reduction does not seek to judge or condemn those who use drugs or engage in other risky behaviors. Rather, it seeks to uplift and support them, recognizing that they too are a part of humanity and deserving of compassion. It is through this compassion that we can break the cycle of harm and transform the lives of those who suffer. Let us not turn a blind eye to the pain and suffering of others, but instead extend our hands in solidarity and work towards a world where harm reduction is not just a strategy, but a way of life."

Expressive arts funding

HEAR US - Health Equity in Access to Behavioral Health Recovery Services

VelNonArt is pleased to share that the California Department of Health Care Services has awarded us funding for the Health Equity in Access to Behavioral Health Recovery Services (HEAR US) Phase 2 funding opportunity. Through this funding and the project period, we will work to use our unique, innovative, and expressive arts programming and therapeutic modality to increase access to mental health services for underserved and underrepresented communities and individuals throughout Los Angeles County. We recognize that countless individuals within the county are unable to access the most basic mental health services they often need to function daily. Through the HEAR US project, we aim to address and help remove the health disparities that function as barriers to care. As always, we will incorporate the philosophies and framework of harm reduction, intersectionality, and trauma-informed care into our creative work.

Who we are

VelNonArt Transformative Health (VTH), is a community and arts-based 501(c)3 providing education and training, mental health support, medication assisted treatment (MAT), syringe services, and intensive case management and re-entry services to individuals and organizations in and around Los Angeles. We provide resources, and support for individuals seeking harm reduction services, as well as advocacy and educational materials for the broader community. VTH is focused on addressing racial disparities, health inequities, and reducing the stigma attached to Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC), Latinx, LGBTQI community members, and People Who Use Drugs. VelNonArt aims to reduce recidivism by working closely with those reentering the community or are at risk of incarceration or reincarceration. We prioritize People Who Use Drugs (PWUD), People Experiencing Homelessness (PEH), justice involved individuals, youth, and other underserved communities.

Our team is made up of passionate and dedicated professionals who bring a range of skills and experiences to our work. We lean on the support and guidance from people with lived experiences as we work to create innovative services and disseminate appropriate educational materials. All of our services are created through an intersectional lens and driven by harm reduction principles . We work to promote evidence-based strategies that prioritize the health and well-being marginalized individuals.

We are committed to creating a paradigmatic shift where all people are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their drug use status, choices, and struggles with mental health.