Our History
(2013-2023)
Collective Healing, One Person at a Time
Founded in 2013, the HeartWell Institute has stood alone in its mission to make stress reduction through mindfulness accessible to everyone, regardless of background or circumstance.
Co-founders Zayda Vallejo and Bob Lenhardt envisioned HeartWell as a safe haven for individuals and families struggling with the stressors of everyday life. They created a beacon of collective healing and well-being in Worcester dedicated to building resilience, particularly within BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and LGBTQIA+ communities.
During this time, significant strides were made to fulfill HeartWell’s mission through collaborations with such organizations as Cambridge Health Alliance, the Center for Mindfulness and Compassion, Worcester State University, the Latino Education Institute, Creative Hub Worcester, and the Southeast Asian Coalition. Key funders, including DCU, the Reliant Foundation, the Fred Daniels Foundation, the Kataly Foundation, and the Hemera Foundation, demonstrated strong support for HeartWell’s mission.
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When faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, HeartWell’s commitment to its mission never wavered. It rose to meet the skyrocketing need for community connection and mental health support, particularly in harder-hit Latino communities. HeartWell launched weekly and monthly online meditation programs in Spanish and English in spring 2020. The online programs drew attention and more than $200,000 in funds from the Kataly Foundation of California, which “moves resources to support the economic, political, and cultural power of Black and Indigenous communities, and all communities of color.”
