Sunday June 5, 2022
Part (1)
Mariya Palanjian interview with Talitha Phillips,
Talitha Phillips, CEO of Claris Health. Claris Health is a Los Angeles-based community non-profit that has served neighborhoods across Los Angeles for 45 years. Claris Health’s mission is to equip and care for individuals and their families regarding their sexual health choices, including before, during, and after pregnancy.
They provide free-of-charge and affordable medical care services, as well as peer-to-peer support. Claris Health’s reach extends beyond the walls of their clinics with a mobile medical unit that goes into some of LA’s most under-resourced communities, a sexual and relational health education program that teaches at schools and youth organizations, and a family reunification and parenting program that offers classes in community agencies, substance abuse treatment centers, re-entry homes and jails all over LA County.
Talitha was initially a Claris Health patient while she was in college at Pepperdine University and has now been leading the organization for 20+ years. At the age of 23, she became the Director of Claris Health, and now she’s the CEO. When Talitha started working at Claris Health, it was a small resource center with a $90,000 budget. Talitha recognized that women and families facing pregnancy and sexual health choices need options, support, and wrap-around care before, during, and after these choices. Under Talitha’s leadership and her great passion and vision, Claris Health now has a $2 Million Dollar budget. It provides integrated medical, mental health, and support services for women and families.
