JWCH Institute, Inc., a private non-profit health agency serving Los Angeles County patients, awarded Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard its distinguished "Hand & Heart" award for her strong leadership in addressing the homeless problem and alleviating its impact on downtown Los Angeles. More than 500 guests attended the ceremony held at the Hollywood Palladium on Sunset Boulevard. The other honorees are: Los Angeles City Councilmember Jan Perry; L.A. Care Health Plan, accepted by its CEO Howard Kahn; and Los Angeles Times Columnist Steve Lopez. JWCH Institute Inc. was established as the Attending Staff Association of the John Wesley County Hospital in 1960 by concerned Los Angeles County physicians. The agency currently offers medical services to the indigent at 13 locations, including clinics in Skid Row, Bell Gardens, South Los Angeles, East Los Angeles, El Monte, Lynwood and Norwalk. The agency's programs include family planning, teen pregnancy prevention, HIV/AIDS education and testing, homeless health services, recuperative care, and housing.
