Today, we had the privilege of speaking with Eleanor Perez from Central Neighborhood Christian Health Clinics (CNCHC) about their impactful work in the Los Angeles community with mobile medical clinics. Founded in 1967 by Dr. Bassett Brown, CNCHC (formerly Central Neighborhood Health Foundation) is headquartered in Los Angeles and operates ten additional locations across Inglewood, Upland, Riverside, San Bernardino, Long Beach, and Norwalk. They provide a range of services, including primary care, preventive care, minor emergencies, diagnostics, and virtual consultations, specifically targeting low-income communities with shorter life expectancies.
CNCHC has acquired several mobile medical units from us: an HIV testing clinic, a COVID vaccine unit, and a domestic violence support vehicle. These units have played a crucial role in saving lives and assisting individuals in dangerous situations.
When asked about the most meaningful project CNCHC has undertaken, Eleanor emphasized that all their mobile clinic initiatives are equally significant. She highlighted how the domestic violence mobile unit has helped numerous women escape dangerous situations and receive testing for sexually transmitted diseases, ensuring they get the necessary treatment.
Eleanor also discussed their “Professional Trauma Organization Interactive Education” classes, available in select high schools. This program covers topics such as STDs, domestic violence, and substance abuse, and aims to support students from eighth to twelfth grade. The teachers of this class were able to talk with the students in the classroom about their current situation and provided additional information about friends and family that needed help. They were able to get these families to a safe location and gave medical attention where needed.
Additionally, we talked about the homelessness crisis in California, particularly in Los Angeles. Eleanor shared that their headquarters is situated in a high-need area to keep their mission front and center for their staff. Their mobile medical units have been instrumental in providing addiction services, fentanyl test strips, and life-saving medication to the homeless. They have successfully resuscitated many individuals from overdoses and give extra medication to help revive others in the community.
It was truly enlightening to learn how our vehicles are improving access to healthcare and have contributed to CNCHC’s mission of providing essential care and support. We are incredibly grateful to Eleanor Perez for sharing their work with us and look forward to seeing how they will continue to serve underprivileged communities and save lives.
