San Ysidro Health Center has opened Valencia Park Community Resource Center to provide the southeastern San Diego community with health and wellness information and referral, social support services and eligibility and insurance enrollment information. The resource center, located on the St. Stephen’s Cathedral campus, 5825 Imperial Ave., San Diego 92114 is open to the public Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 2-6 pm. All services are at no cost.

Ed Martinez, President and CEO of SYHC noted that the Valencia Park Community Resource Center is part of the organization’s mission to improve the health and well being of our community’s traditionally underserved and culturally diverse people.

“San Ysidro Health Center has a deep commitment to listening to the community’s need for a “no wrong door” center that actually works,” said Mr. Martinez. “We want to assure that SYHC is the trusted community resource for health care information and a medical home for the underserved.”

Mr. Martinez noted that to help facilitate access to care, the Valencia Park Community Resource Center will offer SYHC’s Care Advocate Program. This program helps patients secure insurance coverage through available public coverage programs; complete difficult-to-understand application forms; coordinate utilization of health services, as needed; and access education about the benefits of existing insurance programs. Services from this program are provided by a team of Care Advocates that have special expertise in determining eligibility for public insurance programs, explaining complex benefit plans associated with these programs, performing financial screening interviews, and promoting preventive and self-care measures by providing care coordination support services.

According to Bishop George D. McKinney, the opening of Valencia Park Community Resource Center follows the completion of a community survey and is an important step in helping residents learn about healthy living and health care options within the community.

“It has always been our concern to meet the health needs of our community,” said Bishop McKinney. “That’s why the St. Stephen’s Church family is so excited about San Ysidro Health Center’s presence on the campus. SYHC has in the past, and continues, to be a beacon of light for those who struggle in the absence of proper health care. Further, SYHC has been at the forefront of tending to the needs of those who need health care most, whose economics has made proper healthcare beyond their grasp.”

Bishop McKinney added, “We believe that SYHC’s unique focus on health and wellness is central to improving the health status of a community plagued with high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer and diabetes.”