Nonprofit provides comprehensive care in a time of crisis

As healthcare costs rise and political uncertainty looms over programs like Medicaid and reproductive health protections, working-class communities are increasingly left behind. 

To address that growing gap in the South Bay, the nonprofit Healing To You is stepping up to serve not only medical but also mental health services. The organization is launching its first brick-and-mortar location in Wilmington after years of operating through a mobile clinic model. The new Wilmington Comprehensive Community Clinic is set to offer low-cost and trauma-informed healthcare to a community that, like many across the nation, faces barriers to access basic medical services. 

Melissa Andrea, 19, a Wilmington resident, has witnessed firsthand how difficult it is for working-class families to navigate the system. 

“My mom works two jobs and still struggles to get care,” Andrea said. “Even when we do get an appointment, it can be months out, or we’re treated like we’re just trying to get free stuff. It’s exhausting. No one should be humiliated at the doctor’s.” 

She believes clinics could shift the way people like her parents view healthcare. 

“Just knowing there’s a place that doesn’t treat you like a burden—where you feel safe—makes a huge difference,” she said. 

Across the U.S., Americans are facing longer wait times, higher out-of-pocket costs, and dwindling provider availability. According to the National Institute of Health, more than 30 million people remain uninsured, and even those with coverage often report skipping care due to cost. In Los Angeles County, a 2022 health survey found that nearly one in five adults lacked a regular source of medical care. These numbers are compounded by limited clinic capacity and staffing shortages in historically underserved neighborhoods like Wilmington, which has a 76% Latino population. 

“There are people here who have jobs, who are doing everything right, and they still can’t get basic health services,” said Alexis Song, administrative assistant at Healing to You. “Whether it’s a language barrier, insurance issues, or just fear of being dismissed—it’s hard to blame anyone for giving up.” 

Song recalled moments during mobile clinic visits where patients would break down in tears. “They’d say, ‘I’ve been to three places and no one believed me,’” she said. “But here, they’re heard. That shouldn’t be a luxury.” 

The right help at the right cost

The current American healthcare system often overlooks those who need help the most—people facing poverty and previous trauma, whether it is related to healthcare or not, are often left without consistent and comprehensive care. 

Emma Sharman, 22, program and development coordinator for the nonprofit, puts these people’s experiences at the focus of the organization’s mission. 

“Our mission is to bring care to people who’ve often been neglected by traditional institutions, survivors of violence, low-income families, immigrants, people who’ve experienced a lot of trauma.” 

The Wilmington clinic is designed to offer wraparound care—from reproductive health services and free Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) testing to mental health counseling and case management. 

The space also provides childcare during appointments, making it easier for families to attend visits without added financial strain. Flexibility and empathy are at the core of their approach. “We work to meet people where they’re at,” said Sharman. “Sometimes that just means letting someone walk in, pick up a brochure, and leave. That’s still a step forward.” 

Small clinic with a big goal

While the nonprofit is small, it accepts Medi-Cal, Medicare, private insurance, and offers sliding-scale fees for those without coverage. The clinic also participates in community events to offer no-cost services to residents who may otherwise go without care. 

The current political climate has also intensified the pressure on community clinics. Debates over Medicaid expansion, reproductive rights, and immigrant access to services have cast uncertainty over federally funded health centers and safety-net providers. 

“Every time there’s a new policy change, we feel it immediately,” said Sharman. “It’s why we try to stay as independent as possible—so we can prioritize care without worrying if a funding stream disappears overnight.” 

Despite limited resources, Healing to You continues to expand cautiously. The team hopes to open more permanent clinics across LA County in the coming years while maintaining its mobile services. 

“We’re growing, but we’re doing it intentionally,” said Sharman. “Our goal isn’t to become huge. It’s to stay accessible and community-rooted.” 

For Andrea, that local focus is what matters most. “It’s not about being the biggest clinic,” she said. “It’s about being the one that actually shows up for us.”

This article was produced in collaboration with the Department of Journalism & Public Relations at California State University, Long Beach.