ABOUT US
WHO WE ARE
Bienestar is a community-based social services organization based in the Greater Los Angeles area. Our focus is on identifying and addressing emerging health issues faced by the Latino and LGBTQ populations. Bienestar reaches these unique populations through innovative and compassionate peer-to-peer modeling that is 100% culturally relevant to the communities we serve. We have a diverse staff that meets clients with both understanding and acceptance, building trust and fostering a unique sense of community for those who use our services.
Bienestar's education and support programs encompass areas such as: HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, STIs, mental health services, substance use and harm reduction. All of our services are offered to the community for free.
Currently, Bienestar operates community centers across Los Angeles County located in: East Los Angeles, El Monte, Hollywood, Long Beach, Pomona, San Fernando Valley and South Los Angeles. Additionally, Bienestar can always be seen out in the community, providing free HIV testing at nightclubs, giving presentations at local colleges, or sharing resources and information at health fairs and other events.
OUR MISSION
Bienestar Human Services is committed to enhancing the health and well-being of the Latino community and other underserved communities. Bienestar accomplishes this through: community education, prevention, mobilization, advocacy and the provision of direct social support services.
OUR HISTORY
Bienestar was founded in 1989, primarily as a direct response to the lack of resources for the Latino LGBTQ community in Southern California at the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis.
LEADERSHIP
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Rita Gonzales, Chair, rgonzales@bienestar.org
Oscar De La O, President & CEO, odelao@bienestar.org
Members:
Lisa Marie Gallegos
Fred Mariscal
Berta Meneses
Liliana Perez
Jesus Rosas
SENIOR MANAGEMENT
Oscar De La O, President & CEO, odelao@bienestar.org
Robert Contreras, MBA, Executive Vice-President, rcontreras@bienestar.org
Brendan O’Connell, MSW, Director, Programs and Services, oconnell@bienestar.org
ADMINISTRATION
Esmeralda Gasca, Manager, Financial Services, egasca@bienestar.org
MEDIA & COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Nicholas Turton, Community Liaison, nturton@bienestar.org
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES
Oscar Gutierrez, LCSW, MPH, Manager, ogutierrez@bienestar.org
Jorge Diaz, MSW, Manager, jdiaz@bienestar.org
Miguel Romero, ACSW, MSW, PPSC, Manager, mromero@bienestar.org
CLIENT NAVIGATION & LINKAGE CARE
Laura Castillo, MPH, CHES, Manager, lcastillo@bienestar.org
Robyn Schweizer, MSW, Manager, Program Evaluation, rschweizer@bienestar.org
HIV TESTING & COUNSELING
Sandra Medina, Manager, smedina@bienestar.org
HEALTH & SUPPORT SERVICES
Rene Estrada, MSW, Manager, De Ambiente Programs, restrada@bienestar.org
Khloe Perez-Rios, Manager, Transgeneros Unidas (TU), kperez-rios@bienestar.org
Hugo Aguilar, Coordinator, Syringe Exchange Program, haguilar@bienestar.org
RESEARCH & EVALUATION
Ronald A. Brooks, PhD, Interim Director, rbrooks@bienestar.org
Joanna Barreras, MSW, Associate Program Director, jbarreras@bienestar.org
Terryl Chen, Program Manager – Biostatistician, ychen@bienestar.org
QUALITY MANAGEMENT COMMITEE
Silvia Valerio, Program Coordinator, svalerio@bienestar.org
LOCATIONS
Bienestar currently provides services across seven locations to our clients living in all areas of Los Angeles County.
Organization Phone Number: (866) 590-6411
EAST LOS ANGELES
5326 E. Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90022
.
EL MONTE/AHF CLINIC
3131 Santa Anita Ave., Ste. 109
El Monte, CA 91733
HOLLYWOOD
4955 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
.
LONG BEACH
1464 Cherry Ave.
Long Beach, CA 90813
POMONA
180 E. Mission Blvd.
Pomona, CA 91766
.
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY
8134 Van Nuys Blvd., Ste. 200
Panorama City, CA 91402
SOUTH LOS ANGELES
130 W. Manchester Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90003
BIENESTAR STORIES
“I have an amazing team; my supervisor and coworkers are very professional and we are working to create a safe environment.”
-Staff Member
“Bienestar means: Community, Empowerment, Opportunity.”
-Staff Member
“I chose Bienestar because of the incredible humanitarian work the organization has done over the years for the LGBT community.”
-Staff Member
“I found a chance to make an impact in the trans community through Bienestar. Now I inspire other trans women to become agents of change.”
-Staff Member
“I have found a great family in Bienestar from the moment I stepped in.”
-Staff Member
“Bienestar means: Trustworthy, Friendly, Involved.”
-Staff Member
“Bienestar means: Empathy, Compassion, Dedication.”
-Staff Member
“Bienestar has provided me with a unique opportunity to do work with a community that I am a part of. It felt like home to me and where I needed to start my career.”
-Staff Member
JOIN OUR TEAM
CAREERS
Bienestar is an ever-expanding organization. Our staff of over 55 provides a variety of health education and clinical services in seven locations throughout Los Angeles County. We pride ourselves on making a positive difference in the communities we serve.
We are an equal opportunity employer and offer a comprehensive salary and benefits package, including:
- Competitive Salary
- Paid Vacation
- Medical, Dental, and Life Insurance
- 403 B Retirement Plan with Employer Match
- Other benefits
If you are interested in making a difference and joining the Bienestar team, please review any jobs listed below. Applications are accepted only for current openings.
Please submit your updated resume and cover letter to:
hrjobs@bienestar.org
In the subject line of your email, please indicate the name of the position you are interested in applying for.
ABOUT OUR PROCESS
Your resume will be scanned and maintained for a period of 6 months. Your resume will be reviewed to ensure that it meets the minimum qualifications of the job listed in the job description. If it meets the requirements, your resume will be forwarded to the hiring manager for consideration. The hiring manager will contact potential candidates after reviewing all applications. If you are not contacted for an interview, this means other candidates have been selected to be interviewed.
INTERNSHIPS
MSW INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Bienestar currently has agreements with local and online universities to provide a rich clinical experience for MSW students. Interns are placed throughout all Bienestar locations. Bienestar has a team of MSW clinicians that guide interns throughout their placement with our organization. An intern is given the opportunity to master the micro and macro aspects of social work throughout their experience with us.
Our interns are exposed to all aspects of the services that Bienestar provides, engaging in work that aligns with the core values of social work practice. In their time with Bienestar, interns can expect the following:
- To provide direct clinical services to individuals, families or couples in need of individual and/or conjoint therapy. Students are asked to complete an assessment, formulate a treatment plan and diagnose clients utilizing the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
- To be exposed to various support groups throughout the agency, including facilitation or co-facilitation of a support group, or bi-monthly educational presentations that will contribute to an improved quality of life for our clients.
- To advocate for the empowerment and strengthening of the Latino community and other underserved groups (e.g., LGBTQ or undocumented folks).
- To attend weekly clinical supervision, which includes discussion of various evidence-based practices used throughout our programs and covers broader topics of mental health, such as: Problem Solving Therapy, CBT, MI, Problem Solving Therapy, 5 Stages of Grief and Loss, The Stages of Change, etc.
For more information about our MSW Internship program, please contact:
Jorge Diaz, MSW, Manager, Behavioral Health Services
Jdiaz@bienestar.org
(866) 590-6411 ext. 301
UNDERGRADUATE INTERNSHIP POSITIONS
Bienestar has internship positions for undergraduate students attending accredited four-year universities. Our undergraduate internship program provides students with an opportunity to complement their academic coursework with professional experiences related to the non-profit sector.
Interns have the opportunity to assist in various departments, allowing them to learn more about services and areas of their interest. Our interns will participate in activities critical to the day-to-day work of our organization and contribute to the achievement of our mission.
We seek highly motivated and responsible undergraduate students to fill our internship positions. Current enrollment in an accredited four-year university is required. Applicants are also expected to have a strong work ethic and willingness to learn.
Current Positions:
Communications Intern
Event Coordinator Intern
Harm Reduction Program Intern
Transgender Programs Assistant Intern
For more information, please contact:
Nicholas Turton, Internship Coordinator
nturton@bienestar.org
(866) 590-6411 ext. 130
VOLUNTEER
We are always willing to accept motivated and enthusiastic volunteers to help with our different programs and services for the community. Volunteer tasks and assignments vary across each of our centers, staff, and programs.
If you are interested in volunteering with us, please contact the Bienestar center location nearest you by calling (866) 590-6411.