LA County Collective Wellbeing Summit
On May 15, 2025, HVC co-hosted a landmark convening of 100+ community leaders, government representatives, academics, and grassroots organizations to advance collective wellbeing across Los Angeles County.
Convening LA County for Collective Wellbeing
Hosted by the Southern California Collective Wellbeing Initiative in partnership with the Human Values Center and Open Future Coalition, the Summit brought together community leaders, grassroots organizations, local institutions, and government representatives to spotlight local initiatives and explore strategies for strengthening economic prosperity, social equity, and environmental sustainability across LA County.
Together, participants addressed pressing challenges, cultivated a spirit of cooperation, surfaced creative solutions, and affirmed the power of committed, community-driven action. The Summit also contributed public input to LA County's Sustainability Plan ahead of its July 2025 release.
Attendees included grassroots CBOs, state and county representatives, academic institutions, community advocates, business and nonprofit leaders, local residents, students, artists, and activists — a true cross-section of the region.
What the Summit Achieved
Relationship & Network Building
- Over 100 cross-sector leaders gathered to share perspectives and establish common ground
- Partnership building sparked through cross-sector roundtables and thematic dialogue circles
- Strengthened relational trust and alignment across institutions and communities
Narrative & Thought Leadership
- Uplifted frontline and community-based perspectives on justice, equity, and systems change
- Positioned LA County as a leader in advancing collective wellbeing frameworks
- Shared replicable practices and language to support the growing wellbeing movement
Inner Development & Culture Shift
- Featured practices for inner resilience and community connection
- Created space for active listening, story-sharing, and dialogue as tools for transformation
- Modeled regenerative convening values rooted in care, reciprocity, and inclusion
Action Steps Catalyzed
- Steering Committee formed to guide ongoing Collective Wellbeing Initiative
- Participatory Stories of Place process launched gathering community stories and insights
- Community of Practice seeded for ongoing regional participation and collaboration
Moments of Connection
9 Topical Breakout Circles
The Summit featured nine participatory breakout circles, each exploring a different dimension of collective wellbeing — from youth leadership and food systems to democracy, early childhood, and the wellbeing economy.
Read the Full ReportDemocracy in Practice: Participation, Voice & Collective Agency
Next Generation Justice: Youth Leadership in Environmental Equity
Harvesting Connections: Supporting Thriving Food Systems
Advancing Social Justice: Pathways Toward Equity, Accountability & Collective Liberation
Starting Strong: Early Childhood as the Foundation for Collective Wellbeing
Campus as Catalyst: Higher Ed's Place in Collective Wellbeing
Storytelling for Systems Change: Media, Narrative Power & Community Voice
What Makes a Wellbeing Economy: Models and Examples for Resourcing Community Impact
Living Infrastructure: Ideas for Community-Driven Climate Resilience
Farm at Fairplex: Reaching the Public
As part of the Summit experience, the Southern California Collective Wellbeing Initiative curated a high-visibility presence at the Farm at Fairplex during the Los Angeles County Fair — May 15–18, 2025.
With approximately 750,000 attendees annually, this was a prime opportunity for curated local organizations, institutions, and artists to meaningfully engage with the public — promoting initiatives that advance collective wellbeing, community resilience, and ecological stewardship in Los Angeles County and throughout Southern California.
Throughout the Fair, the initiative gathered community stories and insights from members sharing their experiences, priorities, and hopes for a thriving future.
Join the Movement for Collective Wellbeing
HVC is committed to building the infrastructure for thriving communities across Southern California and beyond. Learn more about our Collective Wellbeing Alliance or get in touch to collaborate.