Gift Clears Way for Behavioral Medicine Center to Construct Outdoor Therapy Center

The Mathews family donation continues their support for mental health services.

Loma Linda University Health’s Behavioral Medicine Center has received funding to install a new outdoor therapy center. This space will provide the center’s population a place where patients and therapists can use play to develop new approaches to treatment.

Alaina Mathews, of Highland, California, and her three adult children collaborated to provide a significant lead gift to support the center’s playground. The Mathews family has a longstanding interest in Loma Linda University Health’s activities, with particular interest in supporting mental health services.

“People need to take mental health seriously,” Alaina said. “Physical illnesses are so evident, but when you talk about mental health people often pull the other way.”

The Mathews family regularly supports Seeds of Hope, an annual event held to raise money for the Behavioral Medicine Center. Alaina is also a member of the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Foundation Board. Alaina’s son, Trevor, is a Christian hip-hop music artist; her daughter, Lorena, is an artist and mother; her son, Nathan, attends Concordia University Irvine in Orange County.

During a recent tour of the Behavioral Medicine Center, Alaina was overwhelmed by the number of young patients. Once the need for an outdoor therapy center was explained, she immediately began recruiting her children to add their support to the project.

“Those young people need a place to get some fresh air in a safe environment,” Alaina said. “If they feel comfortable outdoors, they are more likely to open up and get more of the help they need.”

After hearing Alaina describe the project, Trevor was quick to add his support for the project. He is also a regular supporter of Seeds of Hope, where he is inspired by the displays of self-reflective artwork created by Behavioral Medicine Center patients.

“The way the kids express their stories is just beautiful,” Trevor said. “When my mother approached me about this project, I wanted to know more about it. It’s important to understand where you are investing. This is an extension of my support of Seeds of Hope.”

“I didn’t have to beg any of my kids to join me,” Alaina said. “All I had to do was ask. We have been very blessed, and we were grateful for this opportunity.”

With funding in place, Behavioral Medicine Center leadership will approach California’s Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) for approval to begin construction.

“Once we receive OSHPD’s approval, we will be ready to move forward with construction plans for the outdoor therapy center,” said Ed Field, vice president/ administrator for the Behavioral Medicine Center.

According to Field, the Mathews’ gifts completed the center’s effort to fund the playground.

“This family’s gift is an incredible act of generosity,” Field said.

Alaina Mathews (pictured third) and her children Nathan, Laurena and Trevor together as a family.

Vision 2020 was an exercise in faith. And God has richly blessed, helping us obtain what we thought was unattainable. He inspired gifts from the most unimaginable places. The result will be realized for years to come and through the generations of students and patients who will heal and be healed.

Marian and Jere E. Chrispens Campaign Co-chairs