Old Irving Park Community Clinic

Support Old Irving Park Community Clinic: Delivering Compassionate Care To The Uninsured of Chicago

“I’m currently uninsured and do not qualify for the common, public medical coverage either. This made it more difficult to find suitable options … after my first appointment, I was able to find out that I had hypertension, which made me feel scared at first. However, with the help and attention from my doctor, staff, and student volunteers, I was able to find relief. They took as much time as needed to inform me and help me manage and control my condition. I now feel more energized and confident about how to take care of myself in regard to my hypertension. Everyone at the clinic is very kind, professional and responsible and is always looking for ways to help their patients.”

- Berta, a patient of Old Irving Park Community Clinic

Hello, I am Augustine Guinto from Loyola University Chicago, and I actively volunteer at the Old Irving Park Community Clinic (OIPCC), a free primary care clinic located in Old Irving Park, a tranquil neighborhood on Chicago's northwest side. Since its founding in 2007 by Dr. Charles Martinez and George Maltezos, OIPCC has been driven by the belief that everyone, regardless of socio-economic status, deserves access to quality healthcare. The volunteer staff of doctors, nurses, and medical personnel from a variety of specialties is the heart of the clinic’s success. We have over 150 active volunteers providing a wide range of essential health services to over 2,500 patients.

I am organizing this fundraiser for OIPCC to support its objective to deliver high-quality, free, and culturally competent medical and behavioral health care to uninsured adults who do not qualify for government assistance. At OPICC, I have known many patients like Berta, who live in fear of illness due to being uninsured. However, with OIPCC’s support and care, they are empowered to take control of their health.

In addition to providing medical care, OIPCC is committed to education, serving as a training ground for future healthcare professionals, such as MD/DO, PA, NP students, and others, who come to the clinic for clinical rotations. OIPCC instills a passion for underserved medicine in the next generation of providers. By supporting OIPCC, you also contribute to the education of future healthcare leaders dedicated to addressing the needs of the underserved population.

A safety-net provider to uninsured patients who are at 250% or below the federal poverty level, OIPCC relies entirely on grants and the generosity of donors like you. Every dollar contributed directly supports the clinic, helping to deliver much-needed healthcare services to the most vulnerable members of the Chicago community.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to make a meaningful impact. We welcome any level of contribution. I hope you can share this fundraiser with your friends and family. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of many people and support OIPCC’s important work.

Here are some ways your donation can impact our patients:

*OIPCC is registered 501(c)(3). Donations made through this fundraiser are eligible for a tax deduction.

Learn more about the clinic: https://www.oipcc.org/

Video featuring Dr. Charles Martinez, Founder and Medical Director:

What’s next? It’s a question people ask themselves often. Whether looking at a to-do list for the day or a to-do list for life, we always seem to be searching for the next thing to do.

In 2007, Dr. Charles Martinez and lifelong friend George Maltezos decided to join forces and do something in retirement. Their “next steps” so to speak. What they decided to do would benefit thousands of people in their community almost immediately: they founded the Old Irving Park Community Clinic (OIPCC).

Today, 15 years later, OIPCC is still helping the community. The clinic provides free medical and mental health services for thousands of uninsured, underserved adults (18 and over) who don’t qualify for any type of government assistance programs. The volunteer staff consists of hundreds of doctors, nurses, and medical personnel who cover a wide array of specialties. OIPCC is also one of the few free clinics that offers both primary care and behavioral health services under one roof. You can find out more at: https://www.oipcc.org

Though the volunteer efforts represent five times the value of the clinic's out-of-pocket expenses, those expenses are many and need to be covered. And that’s where we — and we hope you — come in. We are six good friends who met in high school in Chicago more than 40 years ago and we’ve been contemplating what our “next steps” are going to be. We decided to start by raising awareness and funding for important organizations that we believe in, and we’re beginning with OIPCC.

A donation of $300 would cover the clinic's out-of-pocket costs to completely treat a typical health issue for one patient. A donation of $635 would cover the out-of-pocket costs for an average patient’s health care for a full year. If we were able to exceed our goal and raise $20,000, it would cover the average out-of-pocket costs for a full year of care for more than 30 patients!

Any level of support is a welcome and necessary companion to the time and attention given generously by the clinic’s volunteer medical professionals and staff. We would be honored and grateful if you would help us reach our goal by contributing and spreading the word to help support the much-needed and critical work being done at OIPCC.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Dave Bonoma          Bob Driscoll           John Greabe

Mike Hanas              Max Martinez        Jim Owens

*OIPCC is a registered 501(c)(3). Donations made through this fundraiser are eligible for a tax deduction.