Community Healing Unit

Creation of Community Healing Unit

Our Values

  • We believe in a public health approach to violence that emphasizes prevention, mental health, and holistic wellness.
  • Everyone has a right to heal from trauma and feel safe in their community.
  • Community health centers have an important role to play in providing linguistically and culturally relevant care to survivors of trauma.

Problem Statement

  • There were significant gaps in Alameda County for limited-English proficient Asian immigrants and refugees to receive victim support services and violence prevents interventions.
  • Stop AAPI Hate recorded 451 Hate incidents targeting AAPIs in Alameda County during the first 18 months of the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • In 2021, Oakland Chinatown had a violent crime rate of 2,428 per 100,000, which is over four times higher than CA’s 2021 violent crime rate of 466 per 100,000.

To learn more about Community Healing Unit Services, please call 510-735-3940 or email ahshealingunit@ahschc.org

Direct Services

AHS’ Community Healing Unit is a victim services program providing holistic care to individuals and families impacted by hate, crime, and community violence. Victims and their family members can access culturally and linguistically appropriate services by a team of health care professionals and advocates. Within the first 2 years of the program, the Community Healing Unit has provided mental health, case management, systems navigation, and holistic healing services to over 200 individuals.

Mental health services range from counseling sessions with mental health professionals to emotional support with lay counselors. All staff are trained to provide trauma-informed and victim-centered support as victims go through their healing journey. Bilingual staff and interpretation are available in English and multiple Asian languages.

Case management and systems navigation services connect victims to available resources and social services. Examples include connections to the California Victims Compensation Fund, other financial resources, reporting options, and other government agencies. Victims are educated, informed, and empowered to utilize their resources and exercise their rights.

Holistic healing services were created to provide comprehensive care through diverse healing modalities.  Mental, physical, and spiritual healing can be supported by a wide range of practices and techniques. Yoga, acupuncture, massage therapy, and support groups can offer many benefits to the healing process.

Counseling

Meet with culturally sensitive therapists and lay counselors who specialize in trauma informed care

Systems Navigation

  • Case management
  • Financial assistance
  • Legal clinic and consultations
  • Reporting options

Holistic Healing

  • Acupuncture
  • Food Resources
  • Massage Therapy
  • Support Groups
  • Yoga