Gold Coast Health Plan | Annual Report 2018

IN 2017, GOLD COAST HEALTH PLAN AWARDED $1.5 MILLION IN GRANTS to 16 organizations through its Community Health Investment program to organizations that were working to address the social determinants of health– those conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live and age, and the broader forces that shape the conditions of daily life, that impact a person’s well-being. The grants focused on improving access to health care, housing, and quality and affordable food. As the grantees wrapped up their grant projects throughout 2018, GCHP began to see the fruits of its investment throughout Ventura County. More people enrolled in the Plan and learned how to access its services; thousands of pounds of food were distributed to families in the Conejo Valley; and six homes were built for families in Oxnard. Home is where the health is October 27 was a life-changing day for six families in Oxnard. That’s the day they received the keys to their new homes–the culmination of more than a year of working with Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County to make their dreams of home ownership come true. To celebrate, Hayes Avenue–where all six homes are located– was closed off for a block party. Dozens of volunteers who helped build the homes were there to celebrate with the families, along with supporters, local politicians and donors. Gold Coast Health Plan, through its Community Health Investment grants, contributed $75,000 to the project. At the event, the families expressed their gratitude to everyone who made their dreams of home ownership possible. “We will be the first in our families to own a home. This home will change the course of our lives and for future generations of our family to come.” –Citlali Escamilla Quiñones INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITY