HEALTH CARE ADVOCATES THREATENED Oakland's Street Level Health Project Burglarized

“This was the work of just a few individuals, but we have received so much support from the community,” Perez explains. Within 12 hours, Street Level’s offices were filled with volunteers, board members, and community members proudly wearing Street Level t-shirts. Funders and community partners have offered their assistance. “We feel your support and we vow to continue building a stronger and healthier community,” say the staff and volunteers of Street Level.

“The people who did this only prevented community members from getting help,” said Kim Barstow, Street Level’s clinic manager, who had to turn away 20 patients including a young man experiencing pain related to a recent car accident. The man was originally treated at Highland Hospital but came to Street Level for follow-up care. The offices will remain closed to the community until the police investigation is finalized.

Street Level serves as an entry point into the complicated health care system for immigrants and low wage workers from around the Bay Area and beyond. Street Level works to overcome language, income, and structural barriers to accessing health care. All services are free and staffed largely by volunteers. Street Level clients are predominantly Latino and Asian. Since the economic crisis hit last year, Street Level has seen an increase in people seeking its free clinic and lunch services. Typically, Street Level serves at least one thousand people each year but expects that number to be significantly higher by the end of 2009.