The Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley (CHT) is proud to announce the expansion of its services with the opening of a new Wellness Center—Centro de Bienestar—in Downtown Watsonville at 112 E. Beach St. Set to open in the summer of 2025, this expanded space will further CHT’s mission to provide equitable access to resources that promote health, prevent illness, and improve quality of life.
A new era of wellness: Beyond diabetes care
This move marks an exciting new chapter for CHT, as it transforms its existing Diabetes Health Center into a full Wellness Center. The expanded center will go beyond diabetes management to offer a broader range of services, including chronic disease management, nutrition education, healthy living programs, and physical fitness classes. With an emphasis on accessibility, CHT seeks to eliminate barriers to healthcare for all, ensuring everyone in the Pajaro Valley can thrive.
“We’re excited to open this new space and offer even more comprehensive services to the community,” said DeAndre’ James, Executive Director of CHT. “Our goal is to provide access to high-quality, holistic care that supports the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of everyone in the community. Centro de Bienestar represents the next step in our mission to break down barriers to care and empower individuals to live healthier lives.”
A significant part of this transformation is the addition of a new Wellness Nurse Practitioner. This role will serve as the lead care manager for patients and families in need of additional support in reaching their health goals.
The heart of our approach: Building lasting, healthy habits
By taking a multidisciplinary approach that includes a Nurse Practitioner, Registered Dietitians, Diabetes Educators, and Community Health Workers, CHT is poised to offer whole-person care, assisting patients in navigating access to care and resources to support a thriving community. This collaborative team works together to meet families where they are, providing personalized guidance to help them build lasting, healthy habits that can positively impact their lives for years to come.
“We envision this center as a place where families can come together and embrace health as a shared value,” said James. “It’s about more than just providing services; it’s about creating opportunities for families to bond, learn, and develop healthier habits that can last for generations. Whether it’s cooking a nutritious meal in one of our classes or dancing to a Zumba beat, we want this center to be a space where families can thrive as a unit and support each other in their health journeys.”
A wellness campus for the community
What makes this move even more exciting is that CHT will be sharing space with two other organizations—Somos Watsonville and allcove ™ Watsonville—creating a collaborative Wellness Campus. This shared space will offer a comprehensive range of services that address the full spectrum of family needs, from physical and mental health to overall well-being.
As described on their website, Somos Watsonville is a nonprofit, inclusive, bilingual gathering space, where young people and their families can explore their identities, connect with others, receive support and skills, and engage in fellowship and fun.
“Ever since my team and I moved into the space and began Somos Watsonville, we’ve been carefully discerning how we can use the space to serve the community’s most pressing needs in a holistic way,” Rev. Julianne Porras-Center, Executive Director of Somos Watsonville. “We started with community building first — really asking what people needed and what they wanted to see — and then things just sort of fell into place.”
The new allcove Watsonville center, projected to open in Summer 2026, will provide integrated mental health services for young people ages 12-25 in a welcoming, drop-in space. Focused on prevention and early intervention, allcove will offer emotional, physical, and social support, including mental health, family support, peer support, education and employment assistance, and substance use care. This youth-centered model promotes healthy lifestyles, reduces stigma, and incorporates input from a youth advisory board, ensuring the center’s services meet the unique needs of its community.
“The Centro de Bienestar and allcove will really complement the community building we’ve been doing at Somos Watsonville for the past year. We’re all committed to working together for a healthier, happier and more resilient community,” Porras-Center.
Looking ahead: A vision for health equity and empowerment
Centro de Bienestar will be designed to create a supportive environment where families can grow together, build healthier habits, and access the resources they need to thrive. CHT is excited to expand its partnerships and continue collaborating with both existing and new community partners to provide even more services to Pajaro Valley residents.
In addition to personalized care, Centro de Bienestar will offer a variety of programs to promote overall wellness, including yoga and dance classes, cooking workshops, community gardens, and other activities aimed at fostering a culture of health. CHT encourages community members to share their ideas for additional classes, ensuring the center’s offerings continue to reflect the needs and desires of the people it serves.
To stay updated on the progress of Centro de Bienestar and share ideas for future classes, community members can visit pvhealthtrust.org/
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