Fall 2025 Newsletter

FALL 2025

Serve with HEART!

EXPANDING TO SERVE MORE

Center Listings

Costa Mesa

Share Ourselves at Costa Mesa (Community Health Center) ` 1650 Adams Avenue Costa Mesa, CA 92626 ` Medical, Dental, Behavioral Health, Pharmacy

Share Ourselves at BESST Center, Costa Mesa (Community Health Center) ` 2045 Meyer Pl. Unit C Costa Mesa, CA 92627 ` Primary Care, Behavioral Health

Mission Viejo

Newport Beach

Santa Ana

Share Ourselves at Mission Viejo (Community Health Center) ` 27725 Santa Margarita Pkwy, Suite 101 Mission Viejo, CA 92691 ` Primary Care, Dental

Share Ourselves at Newport Beach (Community Health Center) ` 307 Placentia, Suite 107 Newport Beach, CA 92663 ` Primary Care, Behavioral Health, Dental

Share Ourselves at El Sol, Santa Ana (Community Health Center) ` 1014 N. Broadway Santa Ana, CA 92701 ` Primary Care, Behavioral Health

Finally Getting the Care She Needs Sara J. is a single mom from Costa Mesa. Like many other single moms, Sara prioritized the needs of her children over herself -- living with chronic pain for years. She’d been to numerous providers that didn’t take her concerns seriously. They prescribed pain killers without addressing the root cause of her issues.

During the pandemic, Sara was referred to Share Ourselves. She was able to get an appointment within days and the providers went to work trying to figure out what was happening with Sara.

“The doctor listened to me. She didn’t think I was crazy. She took me seriously.”

Our providers responded quickly and were able to refer her to specialists to diagnose her condition. Share Ourselves providers were in close communication with her specialists to determine that she had a rare condition that needed regular monitoring.

Sara now sees her specialists every three months for treatment and they keep her providers at Share Ourselves updated so they can monitor her progress. Treatments are going well and she is feeling a lot better.

Sara came forward with her experience because she was not only thankful for the care that she was given, but she wanted to let others know about the kind of care that was available at Share Ourselves. All the providers and staff who Sara encountered at Share Ourselves were helpful and kind. They answered her questions in terms she could understand. They were not only quick in their response times, but they also called to check in on her and remind her of upcoming appointments.

Sara wants others to know that not all clinics have overflowing wait rooms and long wait times. “Share Ourselves really cares. I am grateful they listened to me and appreciate what they did for me. Thank you!”

STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE

3,000 Backpacks Distributed to Orange County Students Over two weekends in August, Share Ourselves distributed over 3,000 backpacks filled with essential school supplies to students in need within our community. One of the events that we distributed backpacks was in partnership with Newport Mesa School District and other community organizations, where we distributed over 1,000 backpacks at IKEA and then the following weekend we distributed backpacks in the parking lot of the BESST Center, adjacent to Rea Elementary School in Costa Mesa, which is where one of our clinics is located.

Education is health. This program exemplifies Share Ourselves’ values and helps our students start their school year prepared and ready to thrive. It underscores our continued commitment to holistic care by giving our students the tools they need to succeed.

Many of these backpacks were prepared by Share Ourselves’ dedicated volunteers at our Family Service Night.

Programs like this one is a wonderful example of how our community can step up to impact the lives and health of students in Orange County. If you’re interested in learning more about how to support this program, email philanthropy@shareourselves.org.

CHAMPION JUSTICE

21 Scholarship Recipients Celebrated at First in Family Reception Our First in Family Reception was held on May 20th where we celebrated the 2025 recipients of Share Ourselves’ First in Family College Scholarships. We honored these extraordinary students who are the first in their families to attend college.

In addition to a scholarship, each student was awarded a laptop, gift cards and a college sweatshirt to help pave the way towards a brighter future.

These 21 recipients have just started their fall terms at Golden West, Orange Coast, Saddleback and Santa Ana Community Colleges. This milestone marks a transformational moment, forging new paths for themselves, their families, and future generations.

We thank the donors for their support of this program and for playing a vital role in creating educational opportunities for the youth in our community. Your belief in their potential is paving the way for lasting change.

Thanksgiving Food Drive Food is health! At Share Ourselves, we understand the vital role food plays in our community’s well-being. Each day, our Food Pantry often distributes over 400 bags of groceries to patients who are working hard to stretch their food budgets. Leading up to Thanksgiving, Share Ourselves ramps up its efforts, ensuring that over 1,000 bags of Thanksgiving meal supplies reach our community. Join us in spreading the spirit of Thanksgiving by supporting our food drive and helping us celebrate a holiday filled with gratitude and community.

We are collecting the following items: ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` `

Boxed Stuffing Boxed Mashed Potatoes Canned Green Beans Non-perishable Gravy Canned Cranberry Sauce Canned Pumpkin Canned Yams or Sweet Potatoes Canned Vegetables Canned Fruit Cornbread Mix Brownie Mix

If you need donation bins or pick-up assistance, please contact Community Programs Coordinator, Carmen Marquez at cmmvazquez@shareourselves.org or 949.270.2149 If you’re interested in helping us pack these food bags, join us for Family Service Night on November 21, 2025 from 5:00-7:00 pm.

To learn more about registering, email events@shareourselves.org.

LEAD WITH DIGNITY

Donation Drop Off

November 17-21, 2025 8:00 am - 3:30 pm 1550 Superior Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92627 For more information, please visit: shareourselves.org/get-involved/thanksgiving.

Join Us for Our 56th Annual Adopt A Family Program The holiday season is quickly approaching and so is the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, meal prep, and party planning. But it is important to also remember that it is also a season of giving, and that generosity and kindness brings as much, if not more, joy than receiving. It is in that spirit, 56 years ago, that Share Ourselves’ Adopt A Family program was created so that families should not have to choose between providing for their loved ones or giving their children a memorable holiday.

This longstanding tradition has grown over the years and in 2024 close to 1,200 families were adopted by local donors, businesses, and by Share Ourselves. Each year Share Ourselves collaborates with local schools and community organizations who select families from their communities to participate in our Adopt A Family program. Families are then adopted by generous individuals, families and groups who purchase, wrap and deliver those gifts to the OC Fair & Event Center. Share Ourselves helps to personalize and individualize this experience by sharing each family’s unique story and wish list with the donors and organizations who adopt them.

Adopt A Family thrives thanks to dedicated volunteers who work hand in hand with Share Ourselves team members every step of the way to execute this massive effort. Alongside a community of individual donors and contributing organizations, these volunteers help ensure that our families are not left without the joy of receiving thoughtful gifts during this festive season.

If you would like to learn more about how to volunteer, donate, adopt a family, or host a toy drive, visit our website.

For more information, please visit shareourselves.org/aaf.

Adoption website will be open from 11/10/25 to 12/08/25 Select a family to adopt for the holidays! Get to know the family, including their unique story and wish list.

Drop off your wrapped gifts to the OC Fair & Event Center.

Gift drop-off dates: Sunday, 12/14 9 am - 3 pm to Monday, 12/15 8 am - 4 pm

SERVE WITH HEART

Meet Share Ourselves’ New Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mina Hakim “I am especially excited to join a leader in community health medicine like Share Ourselves and look forward to collaborating, learning and growing with the organization.”

Share Ourselves is proud to share that Dr. Mina Hakim has joined the organization as its new Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Hakim is an experienced pediatrician with a long history of serving as a clinical, educational and organizational leader at South-Central Family Health Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center, with clinics in and around Los Angeles. He also held leadership roles within their behavioral health and quality departments. Dr. Hakim has served as an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at both USC and Loma Linda schools of medicine. Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Hakim brings with him a deep understanding and commitment to advancing high-quality, compassionate care for the communities we serve. We are very excited for Dr. Hakim to share his expertise as he takes the helm of Share Ourselves’ clinical teams.

STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE

2025 Staff Milestones Anniversaries Our staff is the heart of Share Ourselves and our mission to provide care and assistance to those in need and act as advocates for systemic change.

We would like to acknowledge and celebrate the exceptional service of those staff members who have hit some extraordinary milestones with Share Ourselves. We thank you for your hard work and dedication to those we serve.

Leyda Rivera

Marcela Rodriguez

Medical Assistant at Costa Mesa

Lead Medical Assistant at Costa Mesa

Guadalupe Rios

Yadira Gomez

Registered Dental Assistant at Costa Mesa

Lead Care Manager at Costa Mesa

celebrated 25 Years in February 2025

celebrated 20 Years in August 2025

celebrated 25 Years in June 2025

celebrated 20 Years in October 2025

Ways to Make an Immediate Impact Share Ourselves is grateful for supporters and donors like you who make our work possible. As we head into the season of giving and we take stock in our blessings, we ask that you share those blessings to strengthen our community and give in a way that is meaningful to you.

How to give and participate:

Make a donation to the mission

Become a monthly donor

Hold a Thanksgiving Food Drive

Join us for Family Service Night

Participate in our Adopt A Family Program

Become a Volunteer

Interested in learning more about how you can give to Share Ourselves? Email us at philanthropy@shareourselves.org If you want to keep up with what’s happening at Share Ourselves, be sure to follow us on social media. @shareourselves Fb.com/shareourselvesOC Linkedin.com/company/share-ourselves

LEADinformation, WITH DIGNITY ● STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE For more please visit shareourselves.org/aaf.

CHAMPION JUSTICE

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SERVE WITH HEART