Dear Friends,
The divisive political noise is deafening, too often drowning out the compassionate voices on the front lines. Listen to what our patients say:
I don’t want to be sick because it frightens me to think about how I will pay.
We have to keep knocking on doors, trying to find help because there is no money.
I have been very ill, and I worry how it is affecting my children because I am so distracted.
This isn’t our country. But my children are struggling, and I love them so much.
We opened the Santa Cruz Women’s Health Center in 1974 with the mission of empowering women to take charge of their health. In 2014, we opened a family health center in Live Oak with the mission of improving health in mind, body, and spirit for all people, regardless of their ability to pay.
Listen to the voices of our staff, compassionate, expert health care providers offering comprehensive medical care, pediatrics, mental health therapy, addiction treatment, health education, enrollment, food, and other services:
My patient had foot pain. Upon examination it turned out her shoes were a mess. So I prescribed new ones. Our clinic bought them for her.
My patient, who is dying of heart disease, has no one to turn to except for me. I am doing all I can to ensure her end-of-life is met with comfort and dignity.
I want to be the person who can help improve the lives of people around me and improve the world. I do that through health. That is my medium for creating change in people’s lives.
I’m on a team here and involved in something greater. That’s what our patient care comes down to, and it’s what I love the most.
Your voice matters too. You have the power to impact lives by joining with us. Your generous support ensures that all children are born with the opportunity to fulfill their innate potential. Your voice also inspires others to join us so that we can serve all patients regardless of who they are or what they need. Help us mute the noise of injustice and discrimination with the harmony of caring and loving welcome.
Ensuring that our patients live longer, healthier, happier, more prosperous and more fulfilled lives involves real costs. From medical care to counseling to outreach and case management, we need your help to fully empower our service.
Give, and allow the voices of more patients to reach the hearts and minds of our staff. Give, and let our patients know that the community cares about and embraces their children’s futures. Give and let your voice be the lightening that strikes through the noise to broadcast: health care is a human right. Your support ensures that this is the voice that echoes: This clinic saved my life.
With deep thanks,
Leslie Conner
Executive Director
center
