Health for all boyle heights Undocumented Californians are students, mothers, fathers, neighbors and community members. Illness affects everyone, and a person’s place of birth shouldn’t determine if they can or cannot receive necessary medical treatment.
Unfortunately, undocumented community members are locked out of access to affordable, quality health care. Despite the success of the Affordable Care Act, more than 1 million undocumented Californians remain uninsured. Building Healthy Communities Boyle Heights believes all residents should have access to health coverage, regardless of their immigration status. The California Endowment’s #Health4All campaign highlights the important contributions of undocumented Californians to our state’s communities and economy, while raising awareness of their lack of access to affordable health care coverage.
more than 1 million
undocumented Californians remain uninsured.
Building Healthy Communities (BHC) is a ten-year, comprehensive community initiative that is creating a revolution in the way Californians think about and support health in their communities. In 14 places across California, residents are proving that they have the power to make health happen in their neighborhoods, schools and with prevention—and in doing so, they’re creating a brighter future for their children and for our state. The Building Healthy Communities Boyle Heights’ (BHC BH) Health Happens with Prevention workgroup is a collaborative of health focused organizations dedicated to bring health equity to Boyle Heights. In our vision of a healthy Boyle Heights, our health care system centers dignity and respect regardless of immigration status, race, gender or social class. We are working in collaboration with residents, stakeholders, and other city-wide coalitions to emphasize prevention, comprehensive services, and coordinated strategies, to move towards a more holistic understanding of healthcare while providing residents with the necessary tools and skills to become champions in overcoming health challenges and addressing health access. To learn more visit bhcboyleheights.org.
Cecilia Romero Aguilar:
Fighter, Survivor, Unbiological Mother By Regina Zamarripa This semester I met Cecilia, a retired nurse and Lupus patient. Because of her condition she has needed health care nearly all her life. Cecilia is a strong believer that health access should have nothing to do with having or not having legal documents. “Everybody should have health insurance, we are all human, we deserve health insurance.” When she was a nurse she felt that not many people tried to get healthcare coverage because they fear the doctors won’t speak their language or because they don’t feel that the attention they receive is genuine. “I know how patients are. They’re not just a number; they’re people. There has to be a bond with your patients, I had that with mine.” As a resident of Boyle Heights, I think our community has to work together in order to ensure that we all have health access where we feel each and everyone of us matters.
“they’re not just a number, they’re people.”
Maria Trejo: Fearless Strong Mother By Gaby Cortes This is Maria Trejo, 44 years old and born in Jalpa Zacatecas, she came to the US at only 19 years of age. Maria was diagnosed with diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure at the age of 15. She visits a local clinic which provides her with low-cost medication and checkups. Maria is very religious and believes god gave her these obstacles to conquer her fear and learn to take care of herself. Maria started to get closer to god once she was diagnosed with diabetes because she became very weak during that time and was struggling with depression. She always thought about death when it came to diabetes. Later she finally learned to live with her illness and started giving service at her local church where she helps to coordinate quinceaĂąeras and weddings.
“I always ask God to give me strength and help me stay healthy.�
Maria is very energetic and walks 30 minutes every day to keep herself in shape because exercise is now the most important part of her health.
Martha Perez: Good health is what you deserve By Carolina Leal In my community of Boyle Heights lives a mother of two daughters named Martha Perez. Martha has been living in Los Angeles for over 10 years. Martha’s health is important to her. She tries to do as much as she can to take care of herself. A motivation for Martha to take care of her health is to see her daughters grow up and become successful, and also to be able to see her family grow. She is looking forward to be able to meet her grandchildren. Not only does Martha just take care of herself, but she tries to spread awareness to others to get themselves checked out. There has been several occasions in which some of Martha’s friends don’t want to go to the doctor, but Martha is there encouraging them to go to the doctor. Martha has a daily routine of reading her blood pressure. It is a way for her to monitor her vitals. She believes everyone deserves to have the tools they need to improve their health, just like she is doing in the image.
“Stay calm and let the machine do the job”.
“Prevention classes are the best because it brings the community together.� Liliana Martinez: Health and Humanity By Carolina Duarte In the projects of Los Angeles, California we got to sit down and talk to Liliana Martinez about her experience with accessing health care. Liliana immigrated to the United States from Guadalajara, Mexico on January 6, 1980, a detail that she remembers to this day. Ever since her arrival Liliana noticed the difficulty of finding a clinic while being undocumented. When she did find a clinic, it was usually overcrowded and just covered the bare minimum. Liliana was finally granted residency during the Reagan Era, however this did not mean her struggle was over. Liliana was diagnosed with cancer and diabetes. Regardless of her residency she stated that the high cost of health care is an inevitable reality. Now cancer-free, Liliana expressed her concern over diabetes, an issue she is passionate about. She said the best way to prevent diabetes is by providing classes on prevention on how to lead a healthier life. These classes are powerful because they bring the community together.
Rocio Díaz: Staying healthy is the way to be By Christina Montoya Originally from Puebla México, Rocio Diaz currently resides in beautiful and cozy home with her family in East Los Angeles, California. She is attending Cal State LA and is majoring in theater. Rocio plans to produce and write her own plays based on her people, which includes the undocumented community. Growing up, Rocio was fortunate enough to have a form of health care which enabled her to have normal checks ups with a doctor and a dentist. However as the years when on, her family’s coverage changed and now only applies to cases of emergency. Despite this hurdle Rocio and her family have found new ways to ensure they remain healthy and safe. “We currently have a family doctor who comes to our house and treats us when we are sick,” Rocio states, “but even then he isn’t always available and we have to seek other ways to heal.” Now Rocio has taken it upon herself to ensure that she and her family are on top of their health by incorporating more fruits and vegetables into her diet. She does this by juicing and making licuados (shakes) to ensure she gets her daily dose of natural vitamins.
“I have awareness of my body to never get sick because i am
undocumented.”
What is My Health LA? My Health LA is a NO-COST health care program for lowincome, uninsured, Los Angeles County residents. Most importantly, you qualify for My Health LA even if you are undocumented. My Health LA provides ongoing, quality health care from a team of health care providers at community clinics. It is a way for uninsured County residents to get healthy and stay healthy! Who is eligible for My Health LA? My Health LA is for people: • Who live in Los Angeles County • Age 6 and older • Meet income requirements • Lack or not eligible for health insurance My Health LA is NOT health insurance—If you have health insurance, do not drop it! How can I sign up? • Call Member Services at 1-844-744-6452 (MHLA). Member Services is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. They can let you know where your closest participating clinic is located. • Or visit: dhs.lacounty.gov/MHLA What healthcare can I get through My Health LA? My Health LA members get FREE basic medical care that includes: • Ongoing Primary Preventive Care, Health Screenings, information and advice • Specialty Care at Department of Health Services (DHS) • Hospital and emergency care at DHS clinics and hospitals • Prescription Medicines, Laboratory Services and Tests • Other Related Health Care Services Don’t wait until you’re sick to see a doctor. Sign up for My Health LA and get a check up today!
My Health LA Clinics near Boyle Heights St. John’s Well Child And Family Center, Inc. Lincoln Heights 2512 Alta St. Los Angeles, CA 90031 (323) 441-2139
Complete Care Community Health Center, Inc. 2928 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90033 (323) 266-6700
Arroyo Vista Family Health Foundation - El Sereno Huntington Drive 4837 Huntington Dr. North, A Los Angeles, CA 90032 (213) 225-0024
QueensCare Health Centers - East Los Angeles 133 N. Sunol Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90063 (323) 981-1660
Altamed Health Services Corp. 1701 Zonal Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90033 (323) 223-6146
Altamed Health Services Corp. - Commerce 5427 Whittier Blvd., #101 Los Angeles, CA 90022 (323) 869-1900
Los Angeles Christian Health Centers Exodus ICM 1920 Marengo St. Los Angeles, CA 90033 (323) 276-6450
Altamed Health Services Corp. - Whittier 3945 E. Whittier Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90023 (323) 265-1998
Clinica MSR. Oscar A. Romero - Marengo Clinic 2032 Marengo St. Los Angeles, CA 90033 (213) 989-7700 Altamed Health Services Corp - Ramona Gardens 1424 Crusado Lane #168 Los Angeles, CA 90033 (323) 226-0623
The Northeast Community Clinic Highland Park 5428 N. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90042 (323) 256-3884 Altamed Health Services Corp. - Montebello 2321 W. Whittier Blvd. Montebello, CA 90640 (323) 724-5232 Garfield Health Center 210 N. Garfield Ave., Suite 203 Monterey Park, CA 91754 (626) 307-7397 Chinatown Service Center San Gabriel Valley 320 S. Garfield Ave., #118 Alhambra, CA 91801 (213) 808-1792
Arroyo Vista Family Health Foundation Highland Park 6000 N. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90042 (323) 254-5221 The Northeast Community Clinic Women’s Health Center 5820 N. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90042 (323) 255-6000
Visit dhs.lacounty.gov/MHLA to find a My Health LA clinic near you.
Meet the Las Fotos Project Digital Promotoras who led the creation of this awesome zine:
Carolina, Christina, and Gaby Carolina Duarte
My name is Carolina Duarte and I am 16 years old. In the near future I would like to get into the field of journalism and/or photography. Digital Promotoras helped me to learn more about photography and journalism. My favorite part of this program is the unity and teamwork and the fact that I get to learn from my peers. I am grateful that I got to learn about this issue because it is an issue that many have to face with. Documenting people’s experiences had such an impact on me because I was able to learn about this issue with a sense of empathy. This is an experience that not everyone has the opportunity to partake in. I am truly grateful.
Christina Montoya
I am 17 years old and I attend CALS Early College High School. I’ve lived in Boyle Heights my entire life and have only started discovering the culture and beauty that my community has to offer. When I grow up I will become an activist for my community and my people. Photography allows me to express myself and share my unique perspective of life. I like photography because I am able to capture special moments that will be cherished forever.
Gaby Cortes
My name is Gaby Cortes and I attend James A. Garfield High School. I am a 16 year old who knows what she wants for the future. I come from a low income family who migrated to the US in 2000. Being an undocumented student is very hard because you’re not given priority like others are. I want to attend Loyola Marymount University and major in computer science or mechanical engineering. I like photography because it gives me the opportunity to capture special moments and I enjoy exploring different things. With Las Fotos Project I am able to learn more about photography and meet different people. Photography helps me connect with others. Shout out to the rest of the Las Fotos Project Digital Promotoras: Rosa Cortes, Jackie Lima, Textli Gallegos, Kathy Mateos, Regina Zamarripa, Jimmy Gramajo, Carolina Leal, and Sonia Sanchez.
This zine was made possible thanks to the support of
Las Fotos Project is a nonprofit community organization that inspires teenage girls through photography, mentoring, and self-expression. Digital Promotoras are a group of Las Fotos Project youth leaders who use photojournalism, social media, online petitions, zines, public service announcements, and multimedia to promote awareness of health disparities facing their community and work together to inform residents about the various resources that are available. This self-published zine was created by Las Fotos Project Digital Promotoras to raise awareness about the health care challenges faced by their parents, their peers, and their neighbors. It includes photographs and interviews which share personal health stories of people in Boyle Heights and information about My Health LA, a health care program for low-income, uninsured, Los Angeles County residents.
To learn more visit lasfotosproject.org