Medical, Legal Clinic Gets $3,500 Grant

Officials at the Free Clinic of Simi Valley have plenty of ideas on what to do with a recent gift of $3,500 from the Amgen Foundation, the charitable arm of Amgen Corp. in Newbury Park.

“This amount would pay for all our medical lab services for a full year,” said Nicolette Munoz, a member of the clinic’s board. Such services include blood tests, tuberculosis tests, Pap smears and pregnancy tests, she said.

“Or we may use [the money] to help pay for our clients’ doctors’ prescriptions,” she added. “Most of the people who use our medical services don’t have health insurance, so they can’t afford prescriptions even if they’ve seen one of our volunteer doctors.

“We also give free mammograms to women who come in if they’re in the ‘at risk’ category.”

The clinic provides medical, counseling and legal assistance “to individuals regardless of their ability to pay.” It serves the eastern portion of Ventura County.

Its total operating cost of $85,000 a year comes from the United Way, fund-raising efforts, grants, civic groups, and some client fees.

“Our staff donates their time,” Munoz said. “We estimate that we actually provide half a million dollars’ worth of services each year.”

She said the clinic is currently looking for the donation of a copier and a fax for the counseling office.

The clinic is open weekdays from 5 to 8 p.m. at 2060 Tapo St. in Simi Valley. For more information, call 522-3733.