Community Health Engagement (CHE), formerly known as the Chinatown Community Learning Center, was established in 2006 by California State University Monterey Bay, Service Learning Institute.  During that time the Homeless Chinatown Garden was established to provide CSUMB undergraduate students an opportunity to work alongside the residents of Chinatown neighborhood in Salinas.  

 

Around 2011, CHE received funding to expand services (i.e. outreach, life skill classes, and case management), as a result, became a field-education practice site for Master of Social Work students. Shortly thereafter, students from Public Health, Nursing, and collaborative partners joined CHE to deliver a wide range of health and wellness services.

In 2018, California State  University Monterey Bay leadership made a collaborative decision to locate CHE in the College of Health Sciences and Human Services. In June 2019, CHE moved into Moon Gate Plaza, 21 Soledad Street, Suite E, Salinas, CA 93901. Our new site allows us to offer street outreach, referrals to appropriate providers, groups, life skills classes, housing navigation, and retention services to help the community we serve to optimize their health and wellness and enhance the pathway to stable housing.