Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan and L.A. Care’s 14 Community Resource Centers in the Los Angeles area are led by a unified mission — to improve the health of their members and the communities where they live. This means in addition to addressing gaps in health care, community needs are identified, as well.
At the Community Resource Center in El Monte, a Blue Shield Promise health educator noticed that Cantonese- and Mandarin-speaking visitors often lingered after certain classes, chatting and laughing together. Some even attended classes unrelated to their health needs simply to enjoy each other’s company.
Research shows that more than 30% of older Chinese individuals experience varying degrees of loneliness, and poor health and chronic diseases are often linked to greater social isolation within this population. So Blue Shield Promise’s Health Education team piloted a Mandarin and Cantonese support group in El Monte.
El Monte resident Tak Ming Cheng recently spent his afternoon challenging a friend to a Chinese chess match during a support group session. The 88-year-old, who's lived in El Monte for 20 years, has attended health education classes at the Center the past three years and was thrilled to join the pilot support group.
“We have fun and I’ve made friends here,” Cheng said in Cantonese. “It’s nice to leave my apartment to play games and spend time with others.”
Over the past few months, Cheng and a group of about a dozen Chinese community members have gathered for eight 90‑minute sessions designed to help them reconnect, stay active and build community. Together, they’ve enjoyed a variety of social activities — from light exercise and painting to Chinese board games, karaoke, and what Cheng calls his favorite: practicing Chinese calligraphy.
“This support group offers a warm and inclusive space for Cantonese- and Mandarin-speaking community members,” said Therese Chung, senior health educator for Blue Shield Promise, who started the support group. “By hosting it at the Community Resource Center in El Monte, we’re creating a space where people can share their culture, connect with others and feel at home. Cultural values, language barriers, generational differences and socioeconomic challenges often make it harder for individuals to seek support, so we wanted a space that feels familiar and welcoming.”
In designing the program, Blue Shield Promise’s Health Equity and Health Education teams collaborated with the goal of reducing isolation and promoting emotional well-being. Interactive activities help participants build friendships, exchange stories and support one another to create a space where they feel seen, heard and valued.
The pilot of the Cantonese and Mandarin group wrapped up with a final session on January 8, where participants played board games. After receiving overwhelming positive feedback from the group, Blue Shield Promise’s Health Education team will restart the program in mid-February, with biweekly sessions planned, in hopes this can also serve as a blueprint for similar offerings in other Southern California communities — an extension of Blue Shield Promise’s commitment to health equity.
“We were proud to work with the El Monte Chinese community on this pilot program to meet their unique needs,” said Jennifer Schirmer, vice president of growth and community engagement for Blue Shield Promise. “Wellness is not just about medical care — it’s about community, connection and joy. By listening to and incorporating feedback, we are able to create programs that nurture emotional well-being and improve access to care.”
To find your nearest Community Resource Center, visit Community Resource Centers | L.A. Care Health Plan. For information about Blue Shield Promise’s other health education programs, visit Health education | Blue Shield of CA Promise Health Plan.