These clinics have endured, & thanks to early support from the Health Foundation, they are prepared to prevail for decades to come.

South Florida faces rising challenges. With projected coverage losses in 2026, thousands of residents in neighborhoods like Little Haiti, Opa-Locka, and Homestead may lose access to insurance altogether. For many, free clinics, primarily powered by volunteers, serve as the first and only medical home for uninsured, underinsured, and low-income residents. These mounting pressures make the Foundation’s next phase of investment both timely and essential.

The seven participating clinics will use the Health Foundation’s investment to expand their reach and deepen their impact in the coming years. Collectively, they will:

• Serve more than 4,000 new patients, improving access in South Florida’s most medically underserved communities.
• Expand service hours and specialty care, including pediatrics, gynecology, cardiology, and behavioral health.
• Provide preventive care and chronic disease management closer to home.
• Encourage and support new partnerships with hospitals to increase access to specialty services.

For patients, these changes translate into shorter waits, access to specialists, culturally attuned care, and the ability to build ongoing relationships with trusted providers. Together, these improvements strengthen the region’s safety net and help families achieve better longterm health.

YMCA’s Role

While the clinics deliver medical care, the YMCA Health Navigation Program removes a critical barrier: understanding and navigating the health system. Through trained Community Health Workers, patients receive personalized support to set health goals, manage chronic conditions, and connect with essential resources, including food assistance, housing, and transportation.

“While healthcare plays a vital role,” says Gabe Ochoa, Senior Vice President of Community Health & Advancement, YMCA of South Florida. “Health is shaped far beyond the walls of a clinic, in our neighborhoods, our homes, and the everyday challenges families face. True wellbeing happens when we meet people where they are. Our Community Health Workers bridge that gap, helping families navigate care, access resources, and overcome obstacles so they can stay healthy, feel supported, and move forward with confidence.”

A Vision for South Florida’s Future

“Investing in these clinics and the YMCA is about more than expanding access,” says Loreen Chant, President and CEO, Health Foundation of South Florida. “It’s about ensuring that every resident, regardless of income or insurance status, has a real chance at health, stability, and dignity.”

For decades, the Health Foundation has demonstrated the long-term value of investing in community health. This 2025 commitment is the next chapter in a promise of stronger clinics, empowered patients, and healthier communities for years to come.