 As Darrin moves heavy branches and food barrels — preparing dinner for the Silverback Gorilla at the Los Angeles Zoo — he is grateful to move freely without pain.
To supplement his income from his part-time zoo job, Darrin was working construction in 2024, lifting bags of concrete and 4x8s, when he injured his back. He immediately worried about keeping his zoo job — work requiring a lot of squatting and deadlifting — and staying on his career path for exotic animal management. His construction employer did not want to provide assistance. “I asked my boss for help and she ignored my needs.” With nowhere else to turn, Darrin came to the Free Clinic of Simi Valley and learned he needed weeks of physical therapy. One physical therapist, named Alberto, was instrumental in providing Darrin with the care he needed to fully recover. “Alberto went out of his way to give me the tools I needed to get better. To this day, I have all the notes he sent home with me. He really wanted me to fully recover.” With advice for overall health, including diet and supplements, Alberto dispensed information and support that was critical in Darrin’s healing journey. “I didn’t think I could keep my job but Alberto was there for me. P.S. Thank you to Alberto for showing empathy and support on Darrin’s healing journey.
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 Join us to learn how the Free Clinic helps community members find better health and happiness. Buy tickets to attend our one-hour, casual event on June 2 and 4. Do you want to put your empathy into action? Do you feel empathy for those who are dealing with both health and financial hardships? Those are our clients at the Free Clinic! You can make a REAL difference in their lives. Come to our event and you will: > Help fund the medical, dental, legal, and counseling programs that address suffering > Learn how clinic supporters help Simi Valley friends and neighbors find better health and happiness > get a 10-minute tour of the building > enjoy champagne and artisan truffles made by a supporter  Emiliano walks into the clinic with his fingers crossed. Excited to complete an accelerated EMT program at Simi Institute in two weeks, he has learned that he needs to submit medical paperwork by tomorrow or he will not be allowed to participate in the final phase of the program. This paperwork includes both a physical exam performed by a doctor and proof of immunity to specific communicable diseases.
His classmate James had mentioned that he went to the Free Clinic of Simi Valley a month earlier to complete his paperwork. Now — with James at his side — Emiliano approaches the front desk and explains his situation to the staff. Sympathetic to his need, they perform a physical exam within half an hour. Emiliano then returns the next day for lab work to check for immunity. If not for the generous help of the staff, Emiliano would have been stuck with no good options. He remarks to the staff, “I don’t know what I would have done without your help. You saved me.” The staff had a chance to ask Emiliano why he wants to be an EMT. He explained that he will be able to help someone on their worst day. And that matters to him. At the Free Clinic of Simi Valley, we couldn’t agree more. Showing up for others is a reward in and of itself. P.S. A shout out to Dr. Perel and Medical Administrator Julie Brizuela for their expedited assistance to Emiliano.  March 1, 2025, we celebrate the 54th year of service to the Simi Community. We have outlasted Sears, HomeBase, PriceClub, Borders, Circuit City, Linens ‘n Things, CompUSA — all companies from the 1970's. We are thriving and keeping Simi Valley residents happy and healthy with dental, medical, legal, and counseling services!!
Read more about the history and achievements of the Free Clinic here.  Framing for cement never looked so good!
The Free Clinic is excited to install a battery to store solar energy in the event of an extended outage. Crisis response organization Direct Relief has gifted the battery and installation — to the tune of $250,000 — just as it has done for clinics around the world to ensure reliable healthcare services can continue to be provided during a crisis. This complements the 135 solar panels installed on the roof in 2024 and funded through a $165,000 grant from Direct Relief. That project has allowed the Free Clinic to cover nearly 100% of the its electricity needs and officially be net zero for carbon emissions. The Free Clinic project was the first Power for Health Initiative project completed at a free or charitable clinic in the mainland United States. Executive Director Fred Bauermeister is excited. "When combined, the solar and battery projects not only strengthen our resilience against power outages – an ever more common occurrence in our area – but it also aligns with our commitment to protecting the health of our environment.” The work is expected to be completed in the new few weeks.  The Free Clinic welcomes Julie Henszey on board as a new Director of Development. Julie is the first person to fill this newly-created role. She brings experience with fundraising from groups such as Oxnard-based Friends of Fieldworkers, as well as Marquette University in Wisconsin. The Free Clinic has created the role to best position itself for future support from the surrounding community.
"I am excited to be here. The Free Clinic of Simi Valley is an anchor in the Simi Valley community and provides vital services to children and families who are uninsured or underinsured. I can't think of a better fit between my values and the Clinic's service model." Julie grew up in the Midwest and moved to Ventura in the fall of 2019. Her resume includes working with frontline communities to control pollution exposure and advocating for more individuals at the leadership table who represent communities disproportionately impacted by climate change. Fred Bauermeister, Executive Director of the Free Clinic, said that he is excited to work with Julie as she "brings experience, excitement, and enthusiasm to insure the future of our programs and services."  Our clinic is fortunate to include a large group of volunteers, staff, and board members who are like family. Once a year, we gather to celebrate our commitment to the Free Clinic and sense of fulfillment in serving the community. We are proud of our work and the happy to be doing the work together.
 We are excited to celebrate the installation of our roof top solar system consisting off 35 solar panels. This system was donated by Direct Relief and will get the Free Clinic off the grid, so in the event of a power outage our services do not have to stop.
This project was funded through a $165,000 unrestricted grant from Direct Relief. The solar system allows the Free Clinic to cover 100% of the its electricity needs and officially be net zero for carbon emissions. The Free Clinic project was the first Power for Health Initiative project completed at a free or charitable clinic in the mainland United States.  The Free Clinic of Simi Valley in collaboration with Kaiser Permanente serves as a training facility for resident physicians. This partnership was established in 2007, and thus far, 62 residents have participated in the training.
We are so proud to continue this training and are especially grateful to the many residents who have trained with us and volunteered their services. Say hello to our current resident physicians in training ... In the photo - from left to right: Resident Charlene Oh; 3rd Year Resident, Erin Adams, M.D.; Kaiser Attending, Shwesha Govia; Pre-med Student, Cameron Walker; and Pre-med Student, Brian Chilin.
On Monday, March 1, 1971, the Free Clinic of Simi Valley opened its doors and began providing medical services for those in need; and over the years services were expanded to include dental, legal, and family counseling. In a span of 50 years the Free Clinic has helped more than 400,000 patients and clients. On an annual basis, the Clinic provides services valued at approximately $750,000. It is thanks to the generosity of thousands of donors that the Clinic has been able to sustain this level of service over the last five decades to the community.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created hardships for so many families. Now more than ever, the Free Clinic’s role in the community is essential and in celebration of the 50 Year Anniversary we are launching our $50,000 for 50 Years Campaign. We are asking for your support in raising $50,000, which will cover the costs to provide help for more than 1,200 patients in one year. No donation is too small - $5, $50, $500, $1,000; and we are seeking donors willing to match donations dollar for dollar in amounts of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 or larger. Donations can be made online at www.freeclinic.com/support-us or mail to: Free Clinic of Simi Valley $50,000 for 50 Years Campaign 2003 Royal Ave Simi Valley, CA 93065 To all of our loyal supporters – Thank You for “Saying Yes” for the last 50 years. |
