IN MAY 2004, The California Endowment broke ground on its new multipurpose facility in downtown Los Angeles near the city's historic core, at the intersection of Alameda and Main streets. The new complex will house The Endowment's administrative headquarters, its Los Angeles regional program office and the new Center for Healthy Communities.

The vision for The Endowment's new home revolves around the Center for Healthy Communities. It is hoped that the Center will become the premier venue for mobilizing community and civic leaders, health providers, advocates and policymakers in their search for solutions to California's most pressing health and mental health concerns. To accomplish that, the Center will provide a range of programs including:

ENGAGING COMMUNITIES AND BUILDING COALITIONS
The development of coalitions and multi-sector collaborations is a critical factor in creating social change. The Center will help create activities for collaboration and dialogue that advance The Endowment's overall mission and goals.

STRENGTHENING THE NONPROFIT SECTOR
The Center's programs are aimed at building the capacity of nonprofits to make changes in the systems that influence health. The Center will offer training to help organizations be more effective advocates and will work with partners to provide a wide variety of these opportunities for training.

EXCHANGING KNOWLEDGE AND LEARNING
Center activities will allow The Endowment to collect, analyze and disseminate timely information as well as foster an environment for exchanging knowledge and ideas. Programs will support researchers and community leaders to pursue projects related to The Endowment's work at the Center.

HEALTH RESOURCE
The Center's community facilities will house a unique library of books and periodicals on health issues, advocacy, leadership, philanthropy and the nonprofit sector. State-of-the-art technology (including a computer training classroom) will make the Center's programs available throughout the state, allowing The Endowment's regional offices and staff to serve as a resource for constituencies statewide.

For more information please visit: www.calendow.org.