As many as 3,000 people without access to health care are expected to receive free medical treatment beginning Saturday at a three-day Care Harbor health clinic in downtown Los Angeles.
The nonprofit Care Harbor has been sponsoring the clinics for eight years, providing free medical care with the help of doctors and dentists who volunteer their services. According to the organization, its clinics in Los Angeles have provided medical care valued at more than $18.7 million.
The organization will also continue a program it implemented last year aimed at providing medical services to hundreds of homeless people by working with local missions and shelters.
"The goal of Care Harbor's homeless program is to identify and treat health issues early before diseases progress, improving health outcomes for this population," said Don Manelli, president of Care Harbor.
"The entire community benefits. We're expanding the program to address a broad range of homeless needs. In addition to medical, dental and vision care, we're providing preventive care, mental health counseling and referrals, social and legal services."
The medical care is provided for free. Admittance wristbands for the clinic at The REEF were distributed last weekend on a first-come, first-served basis.
