State Sen. Bill Dodd named CommuniCare+OLE his "Nonprofit of the Year," the Napa Democrat announced in a news release Monday.
The honor recognizes the nonprofit's 52 years providing health care and other services for disadvantaged families in Napa, Solano and Yolo counties, according to Dodd's statement.
“In more than a half-century in our community, CommuniCare+OLE has made it clear they are committed to serving our most vulnerable populations,” Dodd said.
“Whether it is pediatric care, dentistry, behavioral health or a range of other services, their team provides what is most needed. I’m proud to recognize them for their achievements and their essential, ongoing service.”
CommuniCare+OLE provides “comprehensive, compassionate, and high-quality primary care services” to people from underserved communities across three counties, according to CEO Alicia Hardy.
“For many, we are their only option, and we never turn anyone away, regardless of insurance or ability to pay,” said Hardy. “We are so honored and appreciative to Sen. Dodd for recognizing our vital work and naming us nonprofit of the year.”
The nonprofit was founded in 1972 when a Calistoga farmworker, Placido Garcia, asked a simple question: Why didn’t Napa have a clinic for farmworker families?
CALISTOGA — Placido Garcia, 83, has recently turned the page to a new chapter in his life: Serenity.
That question planted the seed for an idea that would grow into a thriving nonprofit health system that now spans three counties, Dodd's statement said.
Founded as Clinica OLLE, a small volunteer clinic in Rutherford, the nonprofit expanded steadily. As it has grown to encompass all of Napa County from Calistoga to American Canyon and into Fairfield, its name changed over the years from Clinica OLLE to Clinic OLE to OLE Health.
After a merger with another health center in Yolo County in late 2023, the organization is now called CommuniCare+OLE.
Today it serves more than 70,000 patients and is the only nonprofit community health center in Napa County, as well as the only non-governmental, federally qualified health center in Fairfield, said the release.
After its merger with CommuniCare Health Centers, it is also responsible for administering many of Yolo County's behavioral health services and programs.
CommuniCare+OLE provides comprehensive, bilingual services including medical, dental, optometry, behavioral health and pharmacy across its sites to all who need them, with the vast majority of its patients receiving benefits through Medi-Cal.
Photos: Free COVID-19 vaccines offered at Napa clinic
Napa's OLE Health offers free COVID shots
Napa's OLE Health offers free COVID shots
Napa's OLE Health offers free COVID shots
Napa's OLE Health offers free COVID shots
Napa's OLE Health offers free COVID shots
OLE Health distributes care bags to residents of the Bowl
OLE Health distributes care bags to residents of the Bowl
OLE Health distributes care bags to residents of the Bowl
OLE Health distributes care bags to residents of the Bowl
OLE Health distributes care bags to residents of the Bowl
OLE Health distributes care bags to residents of the Bowl
OLE Health distributes care bags to residents of the Bowl
OLE Health distributes care bags to residents of the Bowl
OLE Health distributes care bags to residents of the Bowl
OLE Health distributes care bags to residents of the Bowl
OLE Health distributes care bags to residents of the Bowl
OLE Health distributes care bags to residents of the Bowl
OLE Health distributes care bags to residents of the Bowl
OLE Health CEO Alicia Hardy hands out swag bags with items featuring the health care nonprofit's new name, CommuniCare+OLE, to employees on Oct. 2 in Napa.