Wellness Program

Wellness is an active process of becoming aware and making healthy choices towards a balanced and fulfilling life. Stars’ Wellness program aims to equip our community with the tools needed to support their spiritual, emotional, environmental and physical health.

Nutrition and Healthy Food

Our goal is to decrease food insecurity. Stars is committed to providing nutritious food options to support a well balanced diet. Through nutrition education families will gain the knowledge they need to plan and prepare healthy meals and establish better eating habits that help balance blood pressure, decrease diabetes, increase life expectancy, decrease obesity, and decrease stress.

Food Distribution: Tuesdays 3:30pm – 6:30pm

Counseling and Trauma Informed Care

Stars is a trauma informed organization and is committed to help families change their perspective and paradigm shift in regards to ACEs/trauma and systemic oppression. Through 1-on-1 and group therapy children and youth experience faster healing from trauma. Parents also have necessary support.

Learn more about our counseling services and visit : gostars.org/counseling-services
Talk to someone about seeking counseling : counseling@gostars.org

Physical Health

Physical wellness improves brain health, reduces the risk of disease, add strengthens bones and muscles. Through fitness classes physical energy levels and physical literacy principles will be increased.

Fitness Classes: Mondays and Wednesdays 6:30pm – 7:30pm

Spiritual Health

Our spiritual wellness goal is that our community will better understand the meaning and purpose of their lives. Families have the opportunity to participate in quarterly activities and experiences around the liturgical calendar. The food distributed is also in accordance with the liturgical calendar to support families’ culture and spiritual tradition.

Environmental Wellness

We work towards fostering a positive inter-relational space between where we live and spend our time and the choices we make that foster well-being. The ways we address this are through financial literacy, interaction with nature and creating an enjoyable personal environment. Simple things like understanding how to detoxify your home and make it healthier by reducing allergens, or how to stay safe during hot weather are all a part of Environmental Wellness.

Schedule

Fitness Classes: Monday and Wednesdays 6:30pm – 7:30pm

Donation Drop Off: Tuesdays 10am – 1pm

Food Distribution: Tuesdays 3:30pm – 6:30pm

Financial Literacy Classes: All classes are posted on the master calendar

Liturgical experiences: All events are posted on the master calendar

Volunteer Opportunities

Tuesdays 9:30am – 11:30pm & 11:30pm – 1pm – Unloading and assembling produce boxes for families

Wednesdays 10:30am – 1pm – Prepare after school program snacks. Prep dry goods.

Thursdays 10am – 12pm – Prepare after school program snacks

Prepare High School dinners on Tuesdays

Volunteer on event days

FAQ

When can I volunteer?

Fill out the volunteer application on our website.

How do I get on the list for food distribution?

Contact wellness@gostars.org for more information.

How do I join the fitness classes?

To attend a class, just stop at 6:30 pm on Mondays or Wednesdays at 500 E Villa St Pasadena, CA 91101.

Do I need a background check to volunteer in the wellness program?

No. A background check is not required to volunteer in the Wellness Program.

Where does the Wellness Program source food?

We pick up all produce from Food Forward in Bell Gardens, CA. All of our protein is purchased from Vallarta supermarket in Pasadena, CA. Our dry goods are purchased from Restaurant Depot.

How do I access mental health services and what is the cost?

We offer $25/hr counseling sessions for low income individuals. We don’t turn anyone away. Sessions are available both virtually and in-person. Contact counseling@gostars.org to access our services.

Can I donate food?

Yes! We accept donations on Tuesdays 10am – 1pm. At Villa 500.

How do I get involved?

Those interested in volunteering, please contact Miriam Tellez at Miriamt@gostars.org. Any other Wellness Program inquiries please contact us at wellness@gostars.org.

Requirements

Requirements to receive food:

All who fit one of these two criteria are welcome!

Must live in Pasadena or Altadena, CA.
Show proof of low income status.

Requirements to receive mental health support:

None! All are welcome.

Requirements for exercise and Financial literacy classes: