Impact Stories

Jason is a patient of Norma Perez, M.D., at AltaMed Medical Group's Huntington Park Rugby clinic. In many respects, Jason resembles most 14-year-old adolescents—he cherishes his family, applies himself academically, and eagerly anticipates completing eighth grade this year. Nevertheless, the middle schooler confronts circumstances that most American teenagers cannot fathom.

Jason's mother has dealt with persistent health challenges that have compromised her capacity to maintain employment. Lacking paid sick leave, their household income has dropped substantially, resulting in food insecurity—the absence of dependable access to adequate nutritious food. Beyond 37 million inhabitants across the nation encounter this hardship.

Apprehensive regarding his household's food availability, Jason started consuming smaller helpings during meals to guarantee adequate provisions for everyone. Upon learning this, Dr. Perez grew troubled; starvation should affect no one, particularly not a developing adolescent.

Through the generosity of employee contributors, the foundation distributed $300 to Jason's household to address grocery expenditures. This assistance furthermore permitted Jason to participate in academic occasions marking his middle school completion. Celebration extends to Jason and his graduating cohort!