Westminster Free Clinic

TO OFFER FREE MEDICAL CARE, HEALTH SUPPORTING SERVICES, AND ADDRESS IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF UNINSURED, LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS OF VENTURA CO, AS WELL AS PROVIDE STUDENT TRAINING.

OVERVIEW: SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 2001, WFC HAS BEEN AN INNOVATIVE NONPROFIT WITH THE DUAL GOAL OF: 1) SERVING AS A COMMUNITY CARE CENTER THAT PROVIDES EASY ACCESS TO FREE HEALTHCARE AND HEALTH-SUPPORTING SERVICES TO HARD-TO-REACH POPULATIONS FACING TRANSPORTATION, LANGUAGE, CULTURAL, AND FINANCIAL BARRIERS TO CARE; AND 2) PROVIDING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH A PATHWAY TO COLLEGE AND TO CAREERS IN THE GROWING HEALTHCARE SECTOR THROUGH EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING, AND HANDS-ON TRAINING IN THE DELIVERY OF HEALTH SERVICES. TO MEET ITS GOALS, WFC MOBILIZES OVER 600 VOLUNTEERS ANNUALLY--INCLUDING 200+ MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, 150+ COMMUNITY MEMBERS, 200+ HIGH SCHOOL AND 50 COLLEGE STUDENTS-THAT COLLECTIVELY ADVANCE HEALTH EQUITY FOR THE UNINSURED. THANKS TO ITS LONGSTANDING PARTNERSHIPS WITH OVER 30 ORGANIZATIONS, ALL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE AND ARE AVAILABLE IN SPANISH/ENGLISH. OVER THE YEARS, WFC HAS BEEN THE PROVIDER OF CHOICE FOR UNINSURED SPANISH-SPEAKING LATINOS IN VENTURA COUNTY. WFC HAS A WELL-ESTABLISHED REPUTATION AND IS HIGHLY TRUSTED BY THIS HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED POPULATION. WFC'S STAFF IS MADE UP PRIMARILY OF LATINO, SPANISH-SPEAKING WOMEN REFLECTIVE OF THE PATIENT POPULATION AND WITH SHARED LIVED EXPERIENCES. THIS UNIQUELY POSITIONS THE ORGANIZATION TO DELIVER ITS PROGRAMS IN A CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY COMPETENT MANNER. STAFF ARE CHARGED WITH COORDINATING THE ACTIVITIES OF VOLUNTEERS AND EQUIPPING THEM WITH THE TOOLS AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO DELIVER FREE HEALTHCARE SERVICES.WFC PROGRAMMING IS DESIGNED TO ADDRESSES THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS, WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL TO KEEPING OUR TARGET POPULATION OF LOW-INCOME UNINSURED PATIENTS HEALTHY, INCLUDING THE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENTS IN WHICH PEOPLE LIVE, WORK AND PLAY THAT, WHEN COMBINED, DETERMINE THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES. KEY SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH INCLUDE ACCESS TO QUALITY/AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE, ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD, SAFE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING, SOCIAL SUPPORT NETWORKS, EDUCATION, AND ECONOMIC STABILITY/SUPPORTS. COMBINED, WFC'S PROGRAMS AND ESSENTIAL BASIC SOCIAL SERVICES AIM TO COMPLEMENT OUR ROBUST MEDICAL SERVICES AND ADDRESSES THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH AS FOLLOWS: ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE: THROUGH ITS TWO CLINIC LOCATIONS IN THOUSAND OAKS AND IN OXNARD, WFC FILLS A UNIQUE GAP IN THE LOCAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AND PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES DESIGNED TO MEET THE WHOLE PERSON NEEDS, INCLUDING BASIC PRIMARY CARE SERVICES, MEDICATIONS, LABS, MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, VISION AND DENTAL SERVICES, HEALTH SCREENINGS, FLU AND COVID VACCINES, MAMMOGRAMS, DIABETES HOME TEST KITS, PHYSICAL THERAPY, CHIROPRACTIC SERVICES, PODIATRY, CASE MANAGEMENT, NUTRITION COUNSELING, AND MUCH MORE. THE USE OF ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS (EHR) ENHANCES THE CLINIC'S CAPACITY AND QUALITY OF CARE. CORAZONES SANOS (HEALTHY HEARTS): THIS PROGRAM, DESIGNED FOR PEOPLE AT HIGH RISK FOR HEART DISEASE AND DIABETES, EMPOWERS THEM TO TAKE CHARGE OF THEIR HEALTH, BECOME HEALTH LITERATE, EDUCATE OTHERS, AND RECEIVE THE EXTRA SUPPORT THEY NEED TO ACHIEVE POSITIVE HEALTH OUTCOMES. FOOD EQUITY: WFC PROVIDES FREE WEEKLY DISTRIBUTIONS OF HEALTHY FOOD INCLUDING FREE PRODUCE AND HEART-HEALTHY DRY STAPLE FOODS (BROWN RICE, BEANS, OATMEAL AND LENTILS) TO SUPPORT HEALTHY EATING. WFC'S FOOD EQUITY PROGRAM EMPOWERS PATIENTS TO STAY WELL BY CONSUMING A HEALTHY DIET. WFC DOES NOT DISTRIBUTE CALORIE-DENSE, PROCESSED SUGAR OR SALT-LADEN FOOD ITEMS.

ECONOMIC SUPPORTS:WFC HELPS FAMILIES WITH ECONOMIC SUPPORTS BY DISTRIBUTING FREE GROCERY GIFT CARDS TO HELP CLIENTS PURCHASE BASIC NECESSITIES; AND BY GIVING OUT HYGIENE PRODUCTS (E.G., DIAPERS, TOOTHPASTE, SOAP, SHAMPOO AND CLEANING PRODUCTS) AND GENTLY USED CLOTHING AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS. FOR THE CHILDREN OF PATIENTS, WFC DISTRIBUTES BACKPACKS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES, DENTAL KITS, AND TOYS DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SUPPORTS:IN ADDITION TO FREE INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING IN SPANISH, WFC IS A SAFE, TRUSTED PLACE WHERE PATIENTS ARE SUPPORTED BY A MULTIGENERATIONAL TEAM OF VOLUNTEER MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, ADULT COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND YOUTH WHO COME TOGETHER AS VOLUNTEERS TO COLLECTIVELY MEET THEIR BASIC ESSENTIAL NEEDS. HOUSING SECURITY: DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC, WFC HAS ADDRESSED HOUSING SECURITY AS A SELECTED NETWORK PARTNER IN CALIFORNIA'S HOUSING IS KEY PROGRAM, ESTABLISHED TO HELP PEOPLE ECONOMICALLY IMPACTED BY COVID APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE TO PAY FOR BACK RENT/UTILITIES OWED TO THEIR LANDLORDS. WFC HAS HELPED OVER 1,300 PEOPLE FROM ACROSS VENTURA COUNTY APPLY, INCLUDING MANY CLINIC PATIENTS, THUS PREVENTING FAMILIES FROM BEING EVICTED AND BECOMING HOMELESS. THIS PROGRAM WILL CONTINUE THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2023.

EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH: WFC'S HEALTHCARE CAREERS TRAINING AND INTERNSHIP PROGRAM PREPARES OVER 200 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ANNUALLY FOR COLLEGE AND CAREERS IN THE GROWING HEALTHCARE SECTOR. MORE THAN HALF OF THE STUDENTS IN THIS PROGRAM ARE LOW-INCOME, FIRST-GENERATION LATINOS AND MOST ARE THE CHILDREN CLINIC PATIENTS. THE PROGRAM EXPOSES TEENS TO CAREERS IN MEDICINE, NURSING, PHARMACOLOGY, DENTISTRY, OPTOMETRY, ETC., AND PROVIDES THEM WITH TRAININGS, ADULT MENTORSHIP, PEER SUPPORT, SERVICE LEARNING, AND COLLEGE AND CAREER COUNSELING. STUDENTS ASSIST VOLUNTEER PHYSICIANS IN THE DELIVERY OF CARE TO THE UNINSURED AND GAIN HANDS-ON-TRAINING IN BASIC CLINICAL SKILLS. COLLEGE AND CAREER COUNSELING, AND FREE MATH TUTORING RESULT IN OVER 85% ENROLLMENT OF THE ORGANIZATION'S STUDENTS IN COLLEGE AFTER GRADUATION. AS PART OF THEIR INTERNSHIP AT WFC, SELECT STUDENTS CAN COMPLETE THE COURSEWORK REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME CERTIFIED MEDICAL ASSISTANTS. IN ADDITION, BILINGUAL LATINO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN STUDENT ADVOCATES LEADING UPLIFTING DECISIONS (SALUD), A PROGRAM THAT EXPOSES THEM TO CAREERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH AND BUILDS THEIR CAPACITY TO ADVOCATE FOR HEALTH AND EDUCATION EQUITY IN THEIR COMMUNITY. SALUD TEEN PARTICIPANTS PROVIDE HEALTH EDUCATION AS THEY SCREEN PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY FOR DIABETES AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. THEY ALSO WORK WITH LATINO MARKETS AND ADVOCATE FOR HEALTHIER FOOD OFFERINGS FOR CONSUMERS IN LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS. SALUD STUDENTS ENGAGE IN EDUCATION EQUITY BY ADVOCATING FOR THE ELIMINATION OF BARRIERS THAT THEY ENCOUNTER IN LOCAL SCHOOLS. THIS PAST YEAR, THEY BEGAN ADVOCACY WORK TO INCREASE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR YOUTH AS A WAY TO PREVENT SUBSTANCE USE/ABUSE AMONG TEENS. WFC'S TEENS WERE RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR VOLUNTEER SERVICE BY THE VENTURA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISOR IN 2021. THE ORGANIZATION'S SUCCESS RATE OF PLACING FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS IN COLLEGE AND THE OVERALL PLACEMENT OF STUDENTS IN OUTSTANDING UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY IS A TESTAMENT TO THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAM IN THE COMMUNITY.

OVERVIEW: SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 2001, WFC HAS BEEN AN INNOVATIVE NONPROFIT WITH THE DUAL GOAL OF: 1) SERVING AS A COMMUNITY CARE CENTER THAT PROVIDES EASY ACCESS TO FREE HEALTHCARE AND HEALTH-SUPPORTING SERVICES TO HARD-TO-REACH POPULATIONS FACING TRANSPORTATION, LANGUAGE, CULTURAL, AND FINANCIAL BARRIERS TO CARE; AND 2) PROVIDING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH A PATHWAY TO COLLEGE AND TO CAREERS IN THE GROWING HEALTHCARE SECTOR THROUGH EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING, AND HANDS-ON TRAINING IN THE DELIVERY OF HEALTH SERVICES. TO MEET ITS GOALS, WFC MOBILIZES OVER 600 VOLUNTEERS ANNUALLY--INCLUDING 200+ MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, 150+ COMMUNITY MEMBERS, 200+ HIGH SCHOOL AND 50 COLLEGE STUDENTS-THAT COLLECTIVELY ADVANCE HEALTH EQUITY FOR THE UNINSURED. THANKS TO ITS LONGSTANDING PARTNERSHIPS WITH OVER 30 ORGANIZATIONS, ALL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE AND ARE AVAILABLE IN SPANISH/ENGLISH. OVER THE YEARS, WFC HAS BEEN THE PROVIDER OF CHOICE FOR UNINSURED SPANISH-SPEAKING LATINOS IN VENTURA COUNTY. WFC HAS A WELL-ESTABLISHED REPUTATION AND IS HIGHLY TRUSTED BY THIS HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED POPULATION. WFC'S STAFF IS MADE UP PRIMARILY OF LATINO, SPANISH-SPEAKING WOMEN REFLECTIVE OF THE PATIENT POPULATION AND WITH SHARED LIVED EXPERIENCES. THIS UNIQUELY POSITIONS THE ORGANIZATION TO DELIVER ITS PROGRAMS IN A CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY COMPETENT MANNER. STAFF ARE CHARGED WITH COORDINATING THE ACTIVITIES OF VOLUNTEERS AND EQUIPPING THEM WITH THE TOOLS AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO DELIVER FREE HEALTHCARE SERVICES.