La Clínica was established in 1986 as a migrant health center, staffed by a small team of providers and an outreach worker who visited local orchards. As the outreach worker engaged with people in the camps, many began asking for information about chronic diseases and nutrition. Inspired by Dr. Ana Salver and modeled after rural Mississippi programs that utilized lay leaders such as barbers and pastors, La Clínica staff developed a training program and invited natural leaders from the community to participate, enabling them to educate their peers. This effort led to the launch of a three-year, grant-funded program called El Niño Sano, which trained promotoras—female community health workers—in pediatric care, dental health, and nutrition.

La Clínica’s perinatal program was launched in 1988 in response to high birth rates within farmworker communities. Promotoras provided essential clinical services, including screenings and health education. One of the foundational community health workers, Vicky Valle—who remains a vital part of the perinatal team to this day—became a trusted clinical figure in the community. La Clínica also collaborated with community health worker programs in Alaska, the Navajo Nation, Michigan, and North Carolina. Its model of care has influenced the development of numerous similar programs across the country.

As promotoras worked closely with community members and patients, they began to identify additional unmet needs. After serving 1,200 children, they recognized dental care as a top priority, which led to the opening of La Clínica’s dental clinic. The Madres en Marcha program addressed depression among women through community-building and education. In La Familia Sana, community health workers began teaching in medical and nursing schools—a program that later evolved into Nuestra Familia Sana, now housed at The Next Door, Inc. Another successful initiative, Pasos a la Salud, was a weight management group program funded by Pfizer and later by HRSA. Its impact continues today, as groups of comadres who met through Pasos can still be seen walking together in the community.

Today, community health workers (CHWs) at One Community Health (OCH) are fully integrated into a variety of programs that support both the Gorge community and OCH patients. The prenatal program offers comprehensive care for pre- and postpartum patients, providing a higher level of support than is typically found in primary care settings. The Salud program engages CHWs to deliver individualized and group-based support and counseling for managing type 2 diabetes. Meanwhile, the Outreach team connects with community members and patients in orchards, packinghouses, and other local settings, offering information on cancer screenings as well as access to medical, dental, and behavioral health services.