Listen to this articleThe basics:
- $1.2M El Barrio Wellness opens in Newark, offering bilingual, trauma-informed mental health services
- Services include individual/family therapy, group sessions, community workshops, telehealth
- Center will host 15–20 clinicians, expand to early-childhood, school-based & preventative programs
- Backed by RWJBarnabas Health, NJ Department of Children and Families to address local health equity
One of Newark’s leading community development organizations is opening a $1.2 million comprehensive mental health center aimed at serving low-to-moderate income individuals in the city.
Launched by La Casa de Don Pedro, El Barrio Wellness offers bilingual, trauma-informed counseling for children, adults and families. The center employs a Liberation Health model, which acknowledges the cultural and systemic forces shaping mental health.
Services at the space will include individual and family therapy, group sessions and community workshops.
According to La Casa de Don Pedro, the facility will grow to host between 15–20 clinicians who provide both in-person and telehealth sessions. There are also plans to include early-childhood, school-based and preventative mental health programs that address the full continuum of care, the organization said.
A catalyst for change
El Barrio Wellness is part of a broader effort by La Casa de Don Pedro to tackle health equities locally. Recognizing that mental wellness is a cornerstone of economic mobility and community safety, the nonprofit has expanded its work in behavioral health, housing stability and family support over the past decade.
The launch of El Barrio Wellness comes as immigration crackdowns, an affordable housing shortage and SNAP benefits disruptions continue to take a toll on the mental health of the area’s Hispanic and Latino populations.
For El Barrio Wellness, La Casa de Don Pedro secured backing from a range of community supporters. Participants include RWJBarnabas Health and the New Jersey Department of Children and Families.
In a statement, RWJBarnabas Health Senior Vice President of Community Health Balpreet Grewal-Virk said her organization is proud to team up with La Casa de Don Pedro “expanding access to locally informed mental health services in Newark.”
La Casa de Don Pedro is a trusted neighbor and catalyst for change in the city.
– Balpreet Grewal-Virk, RWJBarnabas Health SVP, Community Health
“La Casa de Don Pedro is a trusted neighbor and catalyst for change in the city. Their deep commitment to community support reflects the very heart of RWJBarnabas Health’s mission to build and sustain healthier communities. Together, we’re creating spaces that break barriers, build trust and bring hope and healing to those who need it most,” she said.
Legacy of support
The former El Club del Barrio was also housed at the center’s 76 Clinton Ave. location. That social services agency merged with La Casa de Don Pedro about 15 years ago.
The original El Club del Barrio was founded in the 1970s as a neighborhood club supporting Newark families. It grew to offer day care, ESL classes and HIV/AIDS outreach during some of the city’s most challenging decades. By reimagining the three-story brick building to meet community mental health needs, La Casa de Don Pedro hopes to ensure the legacy of El Club del Barrio continues.
According to a spokesperson, the site went unused for about two years before its repurposing as El Barrio Wellness. Altogether, the upgrades took about 12 months and included a deep cleaning, new flooring, painting, maintenance, furnishing and signage.
During a Nov. 13 ribbon-cutting ceremony, La Casa de Don Pedro CEO and President Peter Rosario said, “Too often, solutions come from outside our neighborhoods. El Barrio Wellness is built by the people it serves and is rooted in the same spirit that made ‘El Club del Barrio’ a beacon decades ago.”
“We’re proud to honor that legacy while creating a new one focused on emotional wellness, dignity and hope. I expect our wellness center to be a pillar in the Newark community,” Rosario said.
‘Healing that feels like home’
El Barrio Wellness Project Director Dr. Enmanuel Mercedes added, “This center is about reclaiming a sacred space for our community. We’re blending professional clinical care with cultural wisdom, so that Newark residents can find healing that feels like home. Our goal isn’t just to provide therapy; it’s to change how people think about wellness and belonging.”
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka described El Barrio Wellness as “the kind of community-centered investment that defines Newark’s future.”
“This facility isn’t just about access to healthcare, it’s about empowerment, dignity and opportunity for our residents. By bringing preventive services, education and wellness resources directly into the neighborhood, La Casa de Don Pedro is helping us build a stronger, healthier Newark from the ground up,” he said.
South Ward Councilman Patrick Council said El Barrio Wellness is “proof that when Newark invests in Newark, everyone benefits.”
“It’s a powerful reminder that our city’s greatest strength has always been its people and their ability to rebuild, renew and lead. This project reflects the very best of Newark’s collaborative spirit,” he said.
