Today we’d like to introduce you to Monique Brown Wellons.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I began my journey in 2004, by providing housing and direct social services to homeless veterans and mentally ill individuals with substance abuse and mental health diagnosis. I provided these services up till 2014, where I then decided that I was not providing enough services to better help them reintegrate in life. In 2015 I opened a full-service treatment center – Changes Wellness Center ( That not only provides housing but provides; Individual, Family and Group Counseling, Life Skills, Coping Skills, job readiness training, and job placement assistance for these individuals to reintegrate back into the community.
Again during the tenure of servicing this community, I found that a significant amount these individuals being served had chronic medical conditions that was not be addressed, so during my plight of trying to link them to community resources, I discovered that just within my zip code of 33404 there is a population of 33,000 + residents to 1 Medical Provider within the community. So I decided to renovate one room and begin addressing their medical services, in the interim of that I did additional research and found that because of this shortage it was a disadvantage to the community, so I opened the 1st Urgent Care owned and operated by an African American non-medical female. Riviera Beach Integrated Care has now become a Primary Care facility with Urgent Care extended hours Monday-Fri 7am-7pm and Sat 8am-5pm. Our Clinic provides Primary/Express Care, Ob/Gyn, Pediatrics, Dentistry, Optometry and has a Pharmacy on-site.
Today I am working on certification to convert Riviera Beach Integrated Care into a Low Income/Free Clinic to service the community that is without health insurance or under insured.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The biggest obstacles was getting the community to buy into your brand, and to educate them on the importance of seeking services. Community Funding was difficult along with collaborating with other community partners, if you did not have a track record or if other community partners thought that you were encroaching on your territory they would become overly protective.
I will tell each and every person, to plan, plan, plan but never give up.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Changes Wellness Center and Riviera Beach Integrated Care – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My background is Forensic Psychology and Addiction, I have been providing social services, it seems my entire life. So I am the CEO/Clinical Director for both my Counseling Center and my Primary Care Clinic.
Contact Info:
- Address: 31 W 20th Street
Riviera Beach FL 33404 - Website: www.changescenter.org and www.rburgicares.com
- Phone: 561-899-9140 and 561-510-0471
- Email: mowellons@changescenter.org
- Instagram: rbuc2018
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/rbuc
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
