A community organization that has served Newark for decades has launched a new endeavor in a historic building hoping to tackle mental health issues.
Officials with La Casa de Don Pedro, founded in 1972, recently celebrated the grand opening of El Barrio Wellness, a $1.2 million comprehensive mental health center located at 76 Clinton Avenue. Once a haven for Puerto Rican families and a pillar of support during Newark’s HIV/AIDS and drug crises in the 1980s, the three-story brick building has been reimagined to meet one of today’s most pressing challenges.
“El Barrio Wellness represents the kind of community-centered investment that defines Newark’s future,” said Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. “This facility isn’t just about access to healthcare, it’s about empowerment, dignity, and opportunity for our residents.”
El Barrio Wellness offers bilingual, trauma-informed counseling for children, adults and families, with services that include individual and family therapy, group sessions and community workshops. The endeavor is backed by a range of supporters that include RWJBarnabas Health and the New Jersey Department of Children and Families.
“Too often, solutions come from outside our neighborhoods,” said Peter T. Rosario, president and CEO of La Casa de Don Pedro. “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.
The facility will grow to host 15-20 clinicians in its next phase, offering both in-person and telehealth sessions, with future plans to include early-childhood, school-based and preventative mental health programs that address the full continuum of care.
The initiative is part of La Casa de Don Pedro’s broader effort to tackle health inequities in Newark and beyond. Over the past decade, La Casa de Don Pedro has expanded its work in behavioral health, housing stability and family support – recognizing that mental wellness is a cornerstone of economic mobility and community safety.
“El Barrio Wellness is proof that when Newark invests in Newark, everyone benefits,” said Patrick O. Council, South Ward councilman. “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.”
The space features therapy rooms, family meeting spaces and areas for youth engagement and creative expression. It is open to the public and situated just off the city’s main Downtown corridor.
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