FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 27, 2026
Amid Threats to Community Health Centers, Clinic to Offer Free Health Services & Resources to People in Need at Events Including Homeless Connect Day & Children’s Health Day
VENICE, CA – With federal funding cuts and Medi-Cal changes threatening the health care of roughly one in seven Americans and one in six Californians who depend on community health centers (CHCs), Venice Family Clinic, a nonprofit community health center serving 45,000 people in need across the Westside of Los Angeles, Inglewood, the South Bay and everywhere in between, will host a series of free community events from August 3 – August 7 as part of this year’s National Health Center Week.
This year’s recognition comes at a precarious time for community health centers across the nation, including Venice Family Clinic. Serious existential threats, including federal funding cuts, Medi-Cal changes, and rising costs, endanger critical medical services for more than 52 million Americans and almost seven million Californians – especially those who live in underserved communities. Venice Family Clinic’s patients are among those affected: nearly nine in ten patients live at or below the federal poverty line, more than a third screen as food insecure and roughly one in nine is experiencing homelessness.
To educate the public about the important role community health centers play in providing affordable and accessible care and preserving public health, the Clinic will host events throughout National Health Center Week offering care and resources for the people who need it most, including neighbors who are living unsheltered. No appointment, insurance or payment is required. These events will provide local community members with essential services and resources including free health care services and screenings, school supplies, healthy food, immunizations, HIV testing, mental health support, dental check-ups, oral health education, CalFresh and health insurance enrollment assistance, nutrition education and more.
“Venice Family Clinic has been here for people in need for more than 50 years, and that is not going to change,” said Venice Family Clinic CEO Dr. Mitesh Popat. “National Health Center Week is our chance to show the community firsthand what comprehensive, high-quality care looks like, and to remind our neighbors that our doors are open for everyone.”
Held each August, National Health Center Week recognizes community health centers like Venice Family Clinic that deliver comprehensive, cost-effective care in the nation’s underserved communities. By providing accessible and integrated health care to people in need, these nonprofit providers are estimated by the National Association of Community Health Centers to save the health care system $39 billion annually in reduced emergency, hospital and specialty care costs.
Media are welcome at Homeless Connect Day and Children’s Health Day. Please RSVP and direct any questions to ryan@mecoy.net. Photos and b-roll from all events listed below are available upon request.
Homeless Connect Day: Personal care, services and resources will be available for people experiencing homelessness on Wednesday, August 5. The Clinic will provide free warm meals, showers, haircuts and a free clothing shopping experience, as well as dental care and medical check-ups. Clinic staff will also help connect attendees with resources including health insurance and CalFresh/SNAP enrollment, DMV services and ID assistance, homeless court, immunizations, pet screenings and more.
When: Wednesday, August 5, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: Venice Family Clinic’s Chuck Lorre Rose Avenue Health and Wellness Center, 604 Rose Ave., Venice, CA 90291
Children’s Health Day: On Friday, August 7, the whole family can enjoy kid-friendly offerings provided by the Clinic, including a free back-to-school shopping experience, school supply giveaway, STEAM maker’s space and arts and crafts. Activities will also include storytime, live music, guided clinic tours, face painting, balloon animals and more. Clinic services and resources will be available, including health insurance and CalFresh/SNAP enrollment, Early Head Start resources, immunizations and vision services.
When: Friday, August 7, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Where: Hawthorne School District Health and Wellness Center at Zela Davis Elementary School, 13435 S. Yukon Ave., Hawthorne, CA 90250
Free Food Market + Resource Fair: Venice Family Clinic will distribute free, fresh, healthy food and offer a variety of services at this event. Clinic staff will be available for health insurance and CalFresh/SNAP enrollment, Early Head Start and family resources, immigration and legal aid, general health information and clinic-specific information. The event will also feature complimentary refreshments, to-go meals and raffle giveaways.
Support for Venice Family Clinic’s National Health Center Week helps the Clinic provide comprehensive care throughout its network of Clinic sites and beyond, including primary health care, mental health services, dental care, vision services, substance use treatment, prescription medications, domestic violence counseling, HIV services, healthy food distributions, health education, health insurance enrollment, child development services and an expansive street medicine program for people experiencing homelessness. Donations to the Clinic can be made here: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/yZO_YQ.
For more information about Venice Family Clinic’s National Health Center Week events, visit venicefamilyclinic.org/nhcw.
Pictured: Attendees of a Venice Family Clinic Free Food Market receive fresh, healthy food. Photo courtesy of Venice Family Clinic.
Pictured: Childrens Health Day features kid-friendly activities and experiences. Photo courtesy of Venice Family Clinic.
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About Venice Family Clinic
Venice Family Clinic is a nonprofit community health center that is a leader in providing comprehensive, high-quality health care to more than 45,000 people in need annually, regardless of their ability to pay or personal circumstance. The Clinic serves an area that spans the Westside of Los Angeles, Inglewood, the South Bay and everywhere in between. It has a network of clinic locations and Early Head Start centers in Venice, Santa Monica, Mar Vista, Inglewood, Culver City, Redondo Beach, Carson, Gardena, Torrance and Hawthorne, plus mobile clinics and an expansive street medicine program to reach people experiencing homelessness. The Clinic’s comprehensive care also includes mental health services, dental care, vision services, substance use treatment, prescription medications, domestic violence counseling, HIV services, healthy food distributions, health education, health insurance enrollment, child development services and more. For more information, please visit VeniceFamilyClinic.org and follow on Facebook and Instagram.