The commitment to community health continues to bear fruit in the heart of Feltonville. Mi Salud Wellness Center, a community-based organization with nearly five years of service in North Philadelphia, was one of the recipients of Health Justice for Hunting Park, an initiative led by Esperanza and the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health to promote health equity and community health.

Keila Canete, president of Mi Salud Wellness Center, explains that her vision is to build a healthier community where residents have access to prevention and wellness resources:
“Our organization is community-based and grassroots. Our main goal is to provide health promotion, disease prevention, and wellness services in Feltonville and North Philadelphia, and to continue expanding into other areas,” she said.

Mi Salud Wellness Center opened its doors in 2021 after identifying a clear need in the community. According to Keila, Feltonville lacked organizations focused on health promotion and prevention:
“The community here lacked resources focused on health promotion and prevention. There was no other organization dedicated to providing health information, preventive screenings, and support services directly in the neighborhood,” she explained.

With the support of a local church that provided the initial space, the organization began offering programs and services in both English and Spanish. Today, they offer healthy living workshops, cooking and exercise classes, diabetes prevention and management programs, activities for youth and older adults, and an active food pantry. They also operate a resource center that offers preventive health screenings, HIV testing, nicotine replacement therapies, and COVID testing.

“Many people in our community suffer from chronic illnesses, including mental health conditions. That’s why we implement disease prevention and management programs, especially focused on diabetes, which is highly prevalent in the Latino community,” Keila stated.

In 2025, Mi Salud Wellness Center received funding through Health Justice for Hunting Park, which allowed them to implement an innovative holistic health program focused on the connection between mind, body, and spirit.
“We were blessed to receive the grant. This holistic program was made possible exclusively thanks to those funds,” she said.

The program was developed for three groups—youth, adults, and older adults—through an eight-week course based on the Creation Health (Creation Life) curriculum. The approach addresses not only physical health but also mental, emotional, social, environmental, and spiritual aspects of well-being.

“We are used to talking only about physical health. But this program was different and unique because it addressed mental, emotional, social, environmental, and spiritual health,” she explained.

For Keila, the meaning of Health Justice for Hunting Park goes beyond funding: “Health justice means a lot. It’s not just one issue. It’s equity, it’s access, it’s opportunity. The fact that Esperanza and the City of Philadelphia recognize that community organizations need support to bring these programs to our people is very important.”

Looking ahead, the organization hopes to continue expanding its programs and strengthening its impact on the community.

“The invitation is open to new partners, volunteers, and sponsors who want to support our mission of bringing health, prevention, and hope to those who need it most.” For more information: www.misaludwellness.org