For 40 years, La Clínica del Pueblo has worked tirelessly to provide comprehensive services to those who might otherwise be excluded from the health care system.
It is an organization whose work can raise awareness about the needs of Latino immigrants in Washington, D.C. and Maryland.
It was founded by Salvadoran immigrants in 1983 in response to the needs of Central Americans displaced by catastrophic wars. Clínica del Pueblo remains committed to improving the lives of local Spanish-speaking residents.
“At La Clínica, we believe that healthcare is a human right and we work to promote access to healthcare for all people. All immigrants should also have access to healthcare, and this is how we have built our work over the past 40 years,” said Soianna Lenhals-Parker, Head of Community Programs and Services.
Why has La Clínica del Pueblo been an essential resource for the Latino community for 40 years?
From a small volunteer effort in 1983, La Clínica has grown into a network of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) with two clinics, a school-based mental health services program, and a thriving community health center directly serving more than 5,000 people each. year and reaches another 50,000 through community outreach programmes.
Following the 1991 Mount Pleasant riots, La Clínica began conducting cultural competency training for local agencies. Today, LCDP continues this work by playing a key role in coalitions that promote inclusion, justice and equity, and address key health-related social issues.
In 2010, La Clínica del Pueblo opened the Empodérate Center, which provides safe spaces for LGBT youth. It now operates in two locations and addresses the medical and social causes of the HIV epidemic.
In response to waves of unaccompanied migrant minors, LCDP partnered with Prince George’s County Schools in 2015 to launch a youth mental health program. My shelterwhich served more than 1,300 students, and achieved an amazing graduation rate of 100%.
During the pandemic, COVID-19 has greatly impacted communities of color. La Clínica del Pueblo has moved forward despite the challenges it has faced, remaining committed to expanding services and providing vaccination education.
LCDP worked with community partners to remove barriers for communities of color and launched its Health Equity Department to promote the fundamental right to health.
In 2022 alone, La Clínica has offered:
- 10,684 medical services and 12,814 telemedicine services.
- 6,286 Medical interpretation and advice.
- 4,879 mental health services.
- 2,516 cancer screenings.
- 3,078 HIV and STD tests were performed, with 100% of people newly diagnosed with HIV linked to medical care.
You can find more impact results in 2022 in La Clínica del Pueblo’s annual report.
“We treat individuals, but we see each person as part of the broader community, the Latino immigrant community. In addition to the primary care services in our clinics, we also provide important community health services. It is a unique model that has not been seen anywhere else,” commented Melissa Marinellarena. Director of Nursing, Quality and Population Health, on that, which is very exciting to be a part of.
In celebration of its 40th anniversary and National Hispanic Heritage Month, LCDP will host Fiesta Del Barrio, a large community party with Latin music, dance, food, art and wellness activities.
Manuel Diaz Ramírez, Director of the Community Health Action Department, added: “The clinic recognizes that all forms of discrimination affect health. Therefore, we do not only receive our clients in our medical clinics, but we go where the community is.”
Join in celebrating all those who have been part of this important work and help raise awareness and support for the urgent needs of this community.
Small summary
People’s Clinic is an organization 501C3 Founded in 1983 to meet the diverse health needs of the Latino immigrant community through comprehensive primary health care, services across the life course, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, medical interpretation, and language access. She was recently honored with the UnidosUS 2023 LGBTQ+ Champions Award. The LCDP develops and delivers culturally relevant primary health care and health education, creates safe spaces, and actively advocates for increased inclusion and health equity for Latino immigrants in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. For more information, visit: https://www.lcdp.org/.
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