Helping a vital safety net

Council pledges $450K to Free Clinic



 

 

With insurance and medical costs at an all-time high, a growing number of people with limited means rely on the Free Clinic of Simi Valley for help with their healthcare. But inadequate space has made it increasingly difficult for the nonprofit to deliver critical services.

The clinic received a much-needed fundraising boost for its multi-services building this week when the City Council pledged $150,000 annually to the nonprofit for the next three years.

On Monday, officials unanimously agreed that the funds, which come from a 2011 expansion agreement with Waste Management and are intended for use on community projects, would help the Free Clinic complete its long-awaited Multi-services Center.

The council decided to hold $10,000 of the $150,000 each year in reserve should another nonprofit have an emergency need. The money will be given to the clinic at the end of each fiscal year if no other need arises.

The nonprofit clinic has offered medical, dental, legal and counseling services in Simi since 1971. It is spearheading the social services facility that will bring a number of nonprofits together in a 14,190-square-foot building at 2003 Royal Ave. that was formerly home to the East County office of the Ventura County Human Services Agency.

The Multi-services Center concept replaces the Simi Valley Community Foundation’s now-defunct Under One Roof project, which fell apart in 2017 when former foundation executive Joanne Abruzzese pleaded guilty to stealing close to $45,000. She was ordered to repay the money and serve 90 days’ house arrest.

Maggie Kestly, president of the Free Clinic’s board of directors, said the theft has left a dark cloud and some are reluctant to donate.

“This is emotional because the road getting here has been hell . . . and I can’t even begin to tell you of the challenges and issues we have faced (because of) the prior debacle and the questions that still exist within this community,” Kestly said.

“(I’m) very humbled and actually very overwhelmed with the idea of the support that this council is considering . . . and the support of other nonprofits to say they would like to see this happen.”

Among those backing the Free Clinic are Betty Eskey of the Simi Valley Samaritan Center, Michele Neff-Hernandez of Soaring Spirits International and Dan Jaeger of the Simi YMCA.

“I knew that (giving this money to the Free Clinic) would take some money from my budget . . . but we are a community of nonprofits, and what we do most of all is we stand together,” Eskey said.

She recalled five years ago when the Samaritan Center almost closed its doors because it had only $3,000 in its bank account. Within nine days of reaching out to the community, the Samaritan Center had $120,000 in its coffers.

“All that we had to do was reach out,” she said. “I can’t think of a better organization that deserves this money than the Free Clinic, because they’re reaching so many.”

Jeffrey Shaner is one such resident. Diagnosed with diabetes in October 2018, Shaner told the council he’s lowered his diabetic counts and blood sugar thanks to the guidance of the clinic’s staff.

“It’s a fantastic place to go and it’s a wonderful place for people like me who don’t have a large income to be able to have very high, top-notch medical care,” Shaner said.

Dr. Jonathan Kurohara, a 32-year family practice physician in Simi, said he’s spent his entire career volunteering at the clinic, which has been the most rewarding aspect of his vocation. It’s a great place to teach students about medicine without “all the insurance, bills and worries,” he said.

“You’re down to one person taking care of another. That’s the essence of the Free Clinic and why I’ve gone there for 32 years and I’ll keep going until I’m not able to do it,” Kurohara said. “I would ask the leaders to consider the grant . . . I think you’ll find it a worthwhile investment.”

Mayor Keith Mashburn said the idea of creating a one-stop shop for various nonprofits has been around for at least 20 years, and the Free Clinic has dedicated twice as much time providing free services to the community.

“The people I see in that office aren’t poor or homeless, they’re just less fortunate than I and they need a place to go. The Free Clinic has been that place . . . no questions asked,” Mashburn said. “Now it’s our time to give back.”

Councilmember Ruth Luevanos said there’s a growing need nationwide for access to medical care, and the clinic provides that.

“I think the Free Clinic is filling a need that we’re going to have every year more and more. This is definitely a huge need,” she said.