Los Angeles, CA – Post by: J. L. Adams, DeSean Jackson Foundation

PRESS RELEASE

MLK Health and Wellness Community Development Corporation, a non-profit, in the Watts/Willowbrook neighborhood of South Los Angeles, is the recipient of a prestigious NFL Foundation Players’ Community Service Match grant from NFL All Pro, DeSean Jackson, of the Las Vegas Raiders, whose professional career includes the Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Football Team and Los Angeles Rams.

The grant was awarded through the Jacqueline Avant Memorial, benefitting the new MLK Children and Family Well-Being Center in Watts.

Mission Statement

The primary focus of the MLK Health and Wellness Community Development Corporation (“MLK-CDC”) is a revitalization of the MLK Medical Campus located in South Los Angeles in the Watts/Willowbrook neighborhood.  Los Angeles County owns 42 acres on the campus; it is the new site of the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital, the adjacent, former King-Drew/MACC hospital building, and a number of other underutilized structures. Working with the County Board of Supervisors, the MLK-CDC aims to transform the site into an “urban family-health campus.” The former hospital has been transformed into a state-of-the-art 500,000 square foot MLK Behavioral Health Center. It will be a national model for community-based comprehensive programs that address the interrelated and complex needs of those struggling with access to care for mental illness and substance use disorders and homelessness. The center will deliver cutting-edge treatment, rehabilitative, vocational, and training opportunities intended to provide the skills needed to reintegrate into the community.

In 2022, the MLK Pediatric HUB Clinic serving 4,000 children and teens in foster care will move into the first floor of the new three-story, 55,000 square foot building named the Jacqueline Avant Children and Family Center (formerly the MLK Child and Family Well-being Center) – located adjacent to the three trailers that currently house the clinic. The First-of-its-Kind Center located in South LA will provide enhanced outpatient clinical services for at-risk pediatric and adolescent patients and their families. The second floor will house an Autism Wellness Center.

MORE ABOUT THE JACQUELINE AVANT MEMORIAL FUND

The family of the late Jacqueline Avant announced a memorial fund in her name. Donations can be made to the Jacqueline Avant Memorial Fund, benefitting the new MLK Children and Family Well-Being Center in the Watts/Willowbrook neighborhood of South Los Angeles. The Center is part of the MLK Health and Wellness Community Development Corporation (MLK-CDC), and gifts will help the continued growth of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital and the MLK Behavioral Health Center. 

Avant was “a stalwart supporter of children and the Watts-Willowbrook community,” previously even serving as President of Neighbors of Watts, a support group centered around childcare in South Los Angeles communities.

“As many have inquired, we have arranged the Jacqueline Avant Memorial Fund for the new MLK Children’s Center in Watts, as per Jacque’s wishes,” a statement released by the Avant family said. “More information and a donation section can be found on the MLK Health and Wellness Development Corporation website: mlk-cdc.org.”

Jacqueline Avant, the wife of producer Clarence Avant and Los Angeles philanthropist, was shot and killed in her Beverly Hills home on Dec. 1 at age 81.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/jacqueline-avant-profound-advocacy-1235056582/

MLK-CDEC has raised funds for renovations to trailers that currently house the MLK Pediatric Clinic HUB, which, according to the organization, serves approximately 5,000 Los Angeles children and teens in foster care each year. In 2022, the pediatric clinic will move into the first floor of the new three-story, 55,000 square foot MLK Child and Family Wellbeing Center. The Center will provide at-risk pediatric and adolescent patients and their families with improved outpatient clinical services, hoping to serve as a model for community-based programs addressing the needs of those struggling with care for mental illness, substance abuse and homelessness. The Autism Wellness Center will be located on the second floor. 

The MLK-CDC has also raised additional funds for new furniture, equipment, and personal needs such as clothing, hygiene products, school supplies, emergency food vouchers, and MTA cards. 

Donations can be made to the MLK Health and Wellness Development Corporation (a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization) for the Jacqueline Avant Memorial Fund for the new MLK Children’s Center in Watts, California. Donations are tax deductible (EIN #81-1255345). Checks Payable to: MLK Health and Wellness CDC, P.O. Box 811473, Los Angeles, CA 90081. To learn more or donate online, visit https://www.mlk-cdc.org/jacquie  

More About the NFL Foundation Players’ Community Match Grant Program

This grant is designed to provide nonprofit organizations with funding of up to $5,000 on behalf of a current or former NFL player who has donated financially to a nonprofit organization doing work to better the community . This grant allows NFL players and Legends to help support broad community efforts through the work of nonprofit organizations. Areas of support include, but are not limited to, Disease Prevention and Awareness, Mental Health, Youth Health & Fitness, Military Appreciation, Disaster Relief, Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, Character Education, Anti-Bullying, Animal Welfare, etc. In order to be eligible for match funding (1:1 match must be provided by the current or former NFL player applicant).