California Credit Union has provided $10,000 to help Glendale Unified School District expand mental health support for students by opening a new student “wellness room” at Glenoaks Elementary School. Wellness rooms provide a safe, welcoming space where students can relax, reduce stress and access wellness resources. The Glenoaks wellness room will be staffed by a full-time counselor and available for students to drop in during lunch and recess or before and after school.

This will be the first wellness room designed specifically for elementary school students in Glendale Unified. The district has previously opened wellness rooms at the high school and middle school levels. The wellness rooms are designed for comfort and tranquility with activities and resources available for mindfulness and stress relief and building healthy habits. The wellness rooms are also used for community building circles, support groups and counseling. 

“Our middle and high school wellness rooms have been a valuable resource for building a sense of belonging on our campuses, fighting mental health stigma and spreading awareness about services that are available for students, employees and families,” said Glendale Unified Superintendent Dr. Vivian Ekchian. “We are immensely grateful to the California Credit Union for their support in expanding this wonderful opportunity to our youngest learners.”

“As a credit union founded to support our educational community, we know there is nothing more important than the health and welfare of our students,” said California Credit Union President/CEO Steve O’Connell. “We’re honored to partner with Glendale Unified School District and Glenoaks Elementary to expand these innovative support services to elementary students, and know they will make a tremendous difference in many students’ lives.”