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Blanca Morales, CEO of the Calexico Wellness Center, joined a panel in Sacramento to share the efforts and challenges faced by Imperial County as part of California’s Region 10 Border Health Equity Initiative, supported by the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications (OCPSC).
“In 2023, we were awarded a grant to serve Imperial County and initially the Inland Empire,” Morales said. “But after state budget cuts, our funding was reduced by half, so we focused solely on Imperial County.”
Morales explained that the mission included educating local communities about ITIN numbers for undocumented workers, heat safety, and water conservation issues, particularly relevant in the region. “We don’t just hand out flyers. We help people apply for services and walk them through the process,” she said. “Our strength is being trusted messengers for people crossing the border—farmworkers, students, and others who lack access to transportation and information.”
Morales emphasized the unique needs of the region, including early morning border crossings by thousands of farmworkers and students, and the challenges of working with residents who may be illiterate in both English and Spanish. “We take the time to explain things face-to-face. Seniors, for example, aren’t online, so we go door to door.”
With support from partners across the county, including Calipatria, behavioral health agencies, and the Mexican consulate, the Wellness Center has operated mobile clinics reaching isolated communities like Bombay Beach and Niland.
Despite limited staff and resources, Morales says the organization has exceeded its outreach goals. “As of April 30th, we’ve accomplished reached 106% of our outreach goal for this grant. We finished in June, and Sacramento responded very positively,” she noted.
She also called attention to the ongoing struggles in Calexico, where heavy border traffic, limited city infrastructure, and a lack of involvement from local government remain obstacles. “The city takes the first hit—people sleeping on sidewalks, no support from City Hall. We have to fill in the gaps.”
Morales expressed hope that the success of the program would lead to renewed funding. “We proved what can be done with community-based solutions. Across all regions, we found shared struggles and learned from each other. It was a very powerful experience.”