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EncountersSpring 2010The semi-annual newsletter of

Note:the name of the newsite in Mar Vista changedfollowing publication.It is now knownas the Irma ColenHealth Center.

Venice Family Clinic opens a new site, the ColenFamily Health Center, in Mar Vista. Story on page 2.

Location, Location, Location

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Venice Family Clinic Opens a New Site, the Colen Family Health Center,in Mar Vista

Location, Location, Location

At first glance, you would never suspect all thatJoahnna Ramirez, 18, has endured. As she leaves thecoordinator’s station at Venice Family Clinic’s newColen Family Health Center, in Mar Vista, she movesslowly and with the help of a walker, but seems only to favor her left foot, which is bandaged as if shesprained her ankle playing basketball.

About three months ago, however, she was a passengerin a car on the 405 freeway that flipped over, rolledseven times, and came to rest on top of her. Shesuffered damage to her lungs, her liver, her spleen, andthe nerves running down her legs. Both of her pelvicbones were broken, and she had a severed urethra.

“They had to open me up,” Joahnna says, using herfinger to draw a vertical line about six inches longsimulating the incision surgeons made in her abdomento remove her spleen. “I have two more on my back,where they put screws in my spine.”

The accident left her in a wheelchair, and doctorswarned that she might never walk again. Still, here she is, walking. And smiling. She smiles at everyone.

“She’s doing really well,” says Dr. Anne Arikian, herVenice Family Clinic physician. “Fortunately, she’s very young. But she also has a great attitude. Shedoesn’t feel sorry for herself.”

Dr. Arikian has known Joahnna since 2005, whenVenice Family Clinic opened a site inside the nearbyMar Vista Gardens public housing development, whereJoahnna’s family lives. That site was much too small to meet the needs of the surrounding community, so the Clinic recently signed a lease on a 3,400-square-foot space one block away, just outside the housingdevelopment.

The Colen Family Health Center—named in honor of Lou and Irma Colen and their family, whose $1 million gift made the new site possible—opened

March 1, 2010. Its seven exam rooms and onecounseling room will accommodate approximately4,000 patients and 15,000 visits per year—triple thecapacity of the previous site.

On this particular day, in mid-April, most of thepatients are pregnant women and families with young children. Few need the kind of intensive casemanagement that Joahnna requires.

“She sees a variety of specialists at UCLA—anorthopedist, a neurologist, a urologist, and a physicaltherapist—as well as a dermatologist in West LosAngeles, and we case manage all of that for her,” Dr. Arikian explains, noting that Joahnna has CCS, apublic insurance program for children with disabilities.“Plus, we’re trying to get her a wheelchair and physicaltherapy at home. Most patients, even those withprivate insurance, don’t have the medical knowledge or the time to succeed at this. It takes hours.”

Joahnna Ramirez, 18, seen here with her father, Melvin, visits Venice Family Clinic’s new Colen Family Health Center, in Mar Vista, about once a week inher quest to recover from a car accident more three months ago. The new site triples Venice Family Clinic’s capacity in the neighborhood, which is home tothe largest concentration of low-income families on the Westside. Photo: Margaret Molloy

Joahnna sees numerous specialists, including an orthopedist, a neurologist,a urologist, a dermatologist, and a physical therapist. Coordinators at the Colen Family Health Center case manage all of that for her. Photo:Margaret Molloy

Joahnna’s many medical needs are discernible in herscars. Besides those from her surgeries, she has fiercegouges on her left hand, left arm, right leg, and rightshoulder, as well as on the right side of her face—threeparallel lines running from her temple to her jaw.

And she has emotional scars. The accident occurredjust months after she graduated from high school; she had planned on going to Santa Monica College to study art.

“I felt like everybody else’s lives kept going, but minestopped,” she says. “For a month, I was just lying inbed in the hospital. I got so depressed.”

So Joahnna also meets with Steve Artiga, one of VeniceFamily Clinic’s licensed clinical social workers, whovisits the Colen Family Health Center on Thursdays.

“It makes me feel much better, having him to talk to,”she says. “I’m much less depressed.”

While most other patients’ needs might be quitedifferent from Joanna’s, they are no less important.Pregnant women visit for prenatal care; kids forimmunizations and physicals; adults with chronicdiseases to keep their conditions under control. Hence, the comprehensiveness of care offered at theColen Family Health Center is similar to that at otherVenice Family Clinic sites.

The Clinic’s staff dental team stops by once a week. So does Dr. Victor Perez, a pediatrician specializing inschool function. Volunteers from Sathya Sai BabaGroup run a Saturday clinic providing primary care anddentistry, with orthopedics soon to follow. And a newthree-year pilot project, funded by the OneWestFoundation and the UCLA Health System, will enablequalified uninsured patients to access specialty care andhospitalization at UCLA.

But clearly one of the most important features of theColen Family Health Center is its location.

Mar Vista is home to the largest concentration of low-income families on the Westside, many of whomwork long days made even longer by lengthy commutes.Even before the Colen Family Health Center opened,residents of Mar Vista and surrounding Palms andCulver City made up more than a third of Venice Family Clinic’s patient population. The vast majority got their care at one of the Clinic’s sites in Venice orSanta Monica.

The Colen Family Health Center, at the intersection of Braddock Drive and Inglewood Boulevard, is a shortdrive for most in the neighborhood and walkingdistance for many. It is also just steps from partneragencies providing additional family services.

The proximity of the Colen Family Health Center meansa lot to all of its patients, but perhaps none more thanJoahnna, who visits about once a week. Her father,Melvin, drove her to this particular appointment, butshe looks forward to eventually making the trip on her own. Walking that one city block will be a majormilestone in her recovery.

One of the staff members asks her when that mighthappen. Joahnna has only been walking for the pastweek, but she doesn’t hesitate to answer.

“Any day now.”

Just like other Venice Family Clinic sites, the Colen Family HealthCenter features a wide range of care, from primary care to dental careto mental health services, with more services coming soon. Inaddition, it is bright and cheerful, with artwork lining the commonareas. Photo: Margaret Molloy

More than a dozen staff members share time at the Colen Family Health Center. Shown here are (left to right, top to bottom) Mary Smith, NP, SusanaMartinez, Lara Stewart, DO, Alma Medrano, Patty Argueta, Anne Arikian, MD, Maria Reynoso, Yolanda Reyes, Oralia Palma, and Jackie Montes. Photo:Margaret Molloy

Though her father drove her to this visit, Joahnna looks forward to beingwell enough one day to make it on her own to the Colen Family HealthCenter. Walking that one city block will be a major milestone in herrecovery. Photo: Margaret Molloy

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Visit www.veniceartwalk.infofor event hours; photos and descriptions of homes on theArt & Architecture Tours; lists of participating artists in theArtists’ Studio Tours/Special Exhibits and Silent Art Auction;information about free parking lots and publictransportation; and to fill out a volunteer application.

It’s the Year of the Cat (or Dog, if You Prefer)—Win a Gwynn MurrillSculpture!Take a chance on art! Artist Gwynn Murrill, a longtime Venice Art Walk &Auctions supporter, is donating one of her stunning bronze maquettes forthis year’s art drawing. The lucky art raffle winner will have their choice of a Gwynn Murrill cat or dog. Winner to be drawn at the Sunday, May 23, Venice Art Walk & Auctions on the main stage at 5:45 pm. Winner not required to attend.$20 per chance, tickets available at the event or by calling 310.392.9255

Art donation courtesy of Gwynn Murrill with the support of L.A. Louver Gallery

Art & Architecture Tour: Rustic Canyon: The Sequel, Saturday, May 22Picking up where last year’s historic walking tour left off, Leo Marmol, FAIA, takes visitors deeper into this architecturally bountiful neighborhood, stopping to tour a fresh collection of homes representing the old and the new. $175 per person, benefits Venice Family Clinic, includes lunch and reception

Art & Architecture Tour: Architects’ Homes in Venice and Santa Monica, Saturday, May 22Explore homes that architects and designers built for themselves in this self-guided walking tour along the border of Venice and Santa Monica. $100 per person, benefits Venice Family Clinic, includes reception

Life and Style on Venice’s Walk Streets and Canals, Sunday, May 23You can’t get more Venetian than this self-guided walking tour of homes on Venice’s charming walk streets and serene canals. $100 per person, benefits Venice Family Clinic, includes Venice Art Walk & Auctions ticket

Venice Art Walk & Auctions, Sunday, May 23The Los Angeles Times calls it “the granddaddy of them all.” For this one special day, more than 50 Venice artists open their studios or create special exhibits in equally special spaces around town. Back at the school, the silent art auction collects works by 400 Southern California artists under one roof. Great Westside restaurants serve up the nourishment you’ll need to see it all, and there’s even free parking and shuttle buses.$50 per person, benefits Venice Family Clinic

Major Sponsors In-Kind Sponsors Media Sponsors

TicketsTickets and merchandise

may be purchased online atwww.veniceartwalk.info

or by phone at 310.392.9255.

This is no ordinary art event! The Venice Art Walk & Auctions is a fundraiser for Venice Family Clinic, the largest freeclinic in the country, and each ticket you purchase helps provide a medical visit for an uninsured person in need.(Purchases of art and tickets to Art & Architecture Tours go even further!) So bring a friend. Or two. Or ten. After all,taking care of the uninsured is good for everyone.

One Great Cause—One Great Weekend of Art!

Photo: Brian Forrest

On Monday, February 1, Venice Family Clinic hosted its28th annual gala to thank members of Silver Circle, theClinic’s premier giving group, for their generous support,as well as to pay tribute to three individuals who havemade extraordinary contributions to furthering theClinic’s mission.

Lou Colen was honored with the 2010 HumanitarianAward. It is estimated that he and his late wife, Irma, forwhom the Leadership Award is named, raised $30 millionfor Venice Family Clinic between 1979 and 2006. Mostrecently, Lou made a $1,000,000 gift to name VeniceFamily Clinic's new site in Mar Vista, the Colen FamilyHealth Center. (See article on page 2.)

The husband-and-wife team of Dr. Neal Baer and GerrieSmith received the 2010 Irma Colen Leadership Award.Dr. Baer is best known as Executive Producer of the hitNBC series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, whose

storylines have raised national awareness of amultitude of medical issues, including the plight of the uninsured. Gerrie has spent years working atthe individual and community levels, improvingeducation, housing, and food security in Africa.

Mariska Hargitay, who plays Detective OliviaBenson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,emceed the evening, which also featuredappearances by her co-star, Ice-T, and Dr. Baer’scousin, singer-songwriter Jill Sobule.

For the fourth consecutive year, Silver Circle memberscollectively contributed more than $1 million. Netproceeds totaled more than $900,000.

Co-ChairsHarley Liker, MDJulie Liker

Lou Colen (right) was honored with the 2010 Humanitarian Award at the Silver Circle gala on February 1. Former State Senator Alan Sierotypresented the award. Photo: Margaret Molloy

Gerrie Smith (left) and Dr. Neal Baer received the 2010 Irma Colen LeadershipAward. Mariska Hargitay, who plays Detective Olivia Benson on Law &Order: Special Victims Unit, emceed the evening. Photo: Margaret Molloy

November 7, 2009, to April 23, 2010Lou Colen, Dr. Neal Baer, and Gerrie SmithHonored at Silver Circle 2010$100,000 +

Gerrie Smith & Dr. Neal Baer

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

The William H. Hannon Foundation Kathleen Hannon Aikenhead,President

The Atlas Family FoundationLezlie & Richard Atlas

Judy & Bernard Briskin

The Fineshriber Family Foundation

Gumpert Foundation

The Hearst Foundations

George Hoag Family Foundation

Kaiser Permanente of SouthernCalifornia

The Barry and Wendy MeyerFoundation

Estate of Harvey Newman

The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation

The Resnick Family Foundation Lynda & Stewart Resnick

The Simms/Mann Family FoundationDr. Victoria & Ronald Simms

The Skirball Foundation

Weingart Foundation

Anonymous (2)

$50,000 to $99,999The Bank of America CharitableFoundation, Inc.

Baxter International Foundation

The Bravewell Collaborative

Louis Colen

The Carl & Roberta DeutschFoundation

NBC Universal

Frederick R. WeismanPhilanthropic & Art Foundation

Billie Milam Weisman

$25,000 to $49,999Dr. Mayer B. Davidson & RoseannHerman, Esq.

The Dharma Grace Foundation Chuck Lorre

Christine & Dr. Chester F. Griffiths

The Mark Hughes Foundation

Susanne & Paul Kester

Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Thomas and Dorothy LeaveyFoundation

Gail Margolis, Esq.

The Sommer-Childress Family

State of California AttorneyGeneral

The Vollmer Family Foundation

Witherbee Foundation

$10,000 to $24,999The Apatow Family Foundation, Inc.

Judd Apatow

Kathy K. & Matthew Scott Barrett

The Cecile & Fred BartmanFoundation

Cecile Bartman

The David Bohnett Foundation

The Capital Group CompaniesCharitable Foundation

Roy E. Crummer Foundation

The Max Factor Family Foundation Gerald J. Factor Max Factor

Robert L. Feldman

Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation

Patricia & William Flumenbaum

The David Geffen Foundation

Tatiana & Todd James

Deborah Laub

Constance Lawton & James Yoder

Tracey Loeb & Kent Beyer

The Harold McAlister CharitableFoundation

L&S Milken Family Foundation Lowell Milken

Rebecca Pollack Parker & HutchParker

David & Judy Shore Foundation Judith & David Shore

Lon V. Smith Foundation

Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.

R. K. Squire Company Harriet & Richard Squire

United Way of Greater Los Angeles

University of California SanFrancisco Center for the HealthProfessions

Magda & Frederick Waingrow

Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Gail & Irving Weintraub

John & Marilyn Wells FamilyFoundation

Ruth Ziegler

Ziering Family Foundation Marilyn Ziering

Diane & Michael L. Ziering

Anonymous (4)

Permanent EndowmentsJudy & Bernard Briskin Women’sHealth Endowment

Irma and Lou Colen PhysicianEndowment

Mose and Sylvia Firestone SocialWork Endowment

Karsten Family Domestic ViolenceEndowment

Sadie and Norman Lee Teen ClinicPhysician Endowment

Milken Family Physician Endowment

Jack H. Skirball Medical DirectorEndowment

Gail and Irv Weintraub Endowment

Frederick R. Weisman PsychosocialServices Endowment

Our Condolences to the Families and Friends of Our Departed SupportersErnest Auerbach, Gene Barry, Harriet Benjamin, Robert Berke, Roy E. Disney, Donald A. Franklin, MD, Frederick Hacker,Harriet Hacker, Walter Kaplan, Dr. Robert J. Kositchek, Simha Lainer, Richard Lauter, Myron "Mike" Levi, Dr. Leon Lipkis, Reverend Gordon Mackensen, Hugh Manes, Oslinda Mascarenhas, Jim McCoy, Marvin Minoff,Vivian Monroe, Hoyt S. Pardee, Irving Parker, Mimi Perloff, Edward Sanders, Jerry Spector, Judith Stark, Jerry Sudarsky, Judge Julius Title, Betty Umansky, Nancy Wang, MD, Libby Weselman, Janet Witkin, Boris Allan "Bud" Yorkshire

Major Gifts

Every donor is important to us. If your name is not listed withinthe appropriate category or islisted improperly, please accept our apologies and notify us at310.664.7932 so the correctioncan be made.

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Dear friends,

In many ways, this newsletter is unique among all those thatVenice Family Clinic has ever produced. It’s not that its contenthas changed dramatically; its context has.

Because health care reform is now federal law.

This is easily the single most important development to VeniceFamily Clinic in its 40-year history. It means that, in time,thousands of the Clinic’s patients will obtain health coverage,along with the peace of mind that goes with it.

But we must keep in mind that 2014—when many of the mostimportant provisions take effect—is still four years away. Andmuch of the eventual success of the law, not to mention publichealth, depends on our collective ability to meet the health careneeds of the uninsured in the meantime.

So if you remember nothing else from this issue of Encounters,please let it be that Venice Family Clinic still very much needsyour help. Fortunately, there are lots of ways to help—byvolunteering, by asking one of your friends who has relevantprofessional experience to volunteer, by mentioning the Clinic to your friends or on your Facebook page, or, in just a matter of days, by attending the Venice Art Walk & Auctions.

Venice Family Clinic will make sure it offers you plenty ofopportunities to plug into this very exciting chapter in thehistory of the health care reform movement. Hopefully you will find a few occasions to accept.

Thank you for your support,

Elizabeth Benson Forer, MSW/MPHChief Executive Officer

Liz Forer joined Venice Family Clinic in 1994. Under her leadership, the Clinic‘s annual operating budget has increased from $5 million to $20 million and six locations have been added. The newest location is the Colen Family Health Center, in Mar Vista. In 2009 fiscal year, Venice Family Clinic—the largest free clinic in the country—provided80,480 primary care, 8,074 specialty care, 8,748 mental health, 2,141 dental, and 4,074 health education visits to 24,424 low-income and uninsured patients.

Since the federal health care reform statute, known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care

Act, was signed into law, many of Venice Family Clinic’s supporters have been eagerly awaiting

details of how it will affect the Clinic and its patients. While some of those details will only be

known in time, several are immediately apparent. Following are a few of the most important.

Many of Venice Family Clinic’s patients will obtain health coverage.It is estimated that one-third to one-half of the Clinic’s uninsured patients will be covered by theprovision expanding Medicaid, which is known as Medi-Cal in California. In addition, many patientswhose incomes exceed Medi-Cal eligibility limits hopefully will succeed in purchasing federallysubsidized health coverage through the new private insurance exchanges. Both of these provisionstake effect in 2014; in the meantime, some low-income patients with preexisting conditions willqualify for new high-risk insurance pools.

After obtaining insurance, many current patients will continue to visit Venice Family Clinic.Many, if not nearly all, current patients will continue to visit Venice Family Clinic after they obtainhealth coverage because 1) it is the medical home they know and trust, 2) it has the expertise to treatand manage conditions common to low-income populations, 3) it is close to where they live and/orwork, 4) there is a shortage of primary care providers nationwide, including in L.A. County, and 5) only a small fraction of primary care providers on the Westside of L.A. County accept Medi-Cal.

New patients will seek out Venice Family Clinic.Currently, there are thousands of people in Los Angeles County who, because they are uninsured,avoid all but the most urgent interactions with the health care system. Many of these who succeed in acquiring health coverage will eventually seek a primary care provider and, for some of the samereasons as existing patients, choose Venice Family Clinic.

The meantime is a long time.As mentioned earlier, several of the most important provisions of the reform law will not take effectuntil 2014. Meanwhile, people will continue to get sick and injured, women will become pregnant,children will need physicals and immunizations for school, etc. It is all-important that support fororganizations on the front lines of the health care crisis, such as Venice Family Clinic, remains asstrong as ever.

The law will not provide universal coverage.Even once all the provisions of the reform law are implemented, some 16 million Americans willremain uninsured. In addition, members of some populations that would ostensibly qualify forcoverage—such as the mentally ill and the homeless—will inevitably fall through the cracks andrequire the help of a provider, like Venice Family Clinic, that will treat them regardless of theirinsurance status or ability to pay.

Something very special is within reach.Currently, there are more low-income and uninsured people on the Westside of L.A. County thanVenice Family Clinic has the financial capacity to reach. The federal health care reform law, incombination with sustained private support, offers hope that Venice Family Clinic can actually, finally, reach all of those in need in its community.

One Thing toRemember

From the CEO

What Does the Health CareReform Law Mean for VeniceFamily Clinic and Its Patients?

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Theresa Brehove, MD, Director of Homeless Services at Venice Family Clinic, wasselected as a Local Hero by the Health Care for the Homeless Clinicians’ Network for hercontributions to improving the health and quality of life of homeless people. In additionto her 13+ years of providing care directly to and advocating on behalf of the homeless,Dr. Brehove recently successfully led efforts to launch an innovative new respite careprogram for homeless people in need of recuperative care following discharge from localhospitals and emergency rooms. She will receive the award at the National Health Carefor the Homeless Conference & Policy Symposium, in San Francisco, June 3.

Venice Family Clinic Co-Founder Mayer B. Davidson, MD, was the recipient of the Jefferson Award for community service from local television station ABC7, for the month of January. Founded in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis, the JeffersonAwards honor those who have given back to their communities. Dr. Davidson, anendocrinologist, was chosen not just for co-founding Venice Family Clinic but also forhis ongoing volunteerism with the Clinic over the last 40 years. The prestigious awardincluded a story about Dr. Davidson on ABC7’s Eyewitness News, which you can view on the Clinic’s Facebook page.

Thelma Enriquez, a Venice Family Clinic Community Health Representative, washonored by La Opinión during its annual Mujeres Destacada/Distinguished Womenaward and editorial series, in March. Thelma received this distinguished award for herwork in the homeless community in Venice and Santa Monica. Through the Clinic’sStreet Medicine program, she performs outreach to homeless individuals andcollaborates with physicians, social workers, and case managers to create personalizedplans for patients. She was one of 30 Latina women to receive the award forcontributions to the advancement of the health of the Latino community.

Elizabeth Benson Forer, MSW/MPH, CEO and Executive Director of Venice FamilyClinic, was inducted into the Columbia University School of Social Work’s Alumni Hallof Fame for her contributions to the theory and/or practice of social work and addingdistinction to the social work profession. Since Liz joined Venice Family Clinic, in 1994,the Clinic has more than doubled its capacity. In 2009, it provided free, quality healthcare to more than 24,400 patients in over 103,000 visits, including nearly 9,000 mentalhealth visits. She was one of three alumni to receive the award this year. The inductionceremony was held April 23 in New York City.

Recent Honors and Awards

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OfficersJimmy H. Hara, MD, ChairBrian D. Kan, MD, Chair-ElectAshley Johnson, SecretaryJeffrey E. Sinaiko, Treasurer

MembersSusan AdelmanCarol L. Archie, MDNeal AxelrodNeal Baer, MDRick BradleyLowell C. Brown, Esq.Mayer B. Davidson, MDAime EspinosaMose J. Firestone, PhD, LCSWSusan Fleischman, MDWilliam FlumenbaumChester F. Griffiths, MD, FACSJoanne Jubelier, PhDDeborah LaubConstance LawtonLou LazatinHarley Liker, MD, MBATracey LoebGail Margolis, Esq.Frank Matricardi, Dr PHViren MehtaWendy Smith Meyer, PhD, LCSWWilliam D. ParenteHutch ParkerNeil H. Parker, MDBill Resnick, MD, MBADavid RubensonPaul SabenFern SeizerAlan SierotyMarsha Temple, Esq.Bruce TowerRussel Tyner, AIAMichael S. Wilkes, MD, PhDLeisa WuC. Victor Wylie, MD

Board EmeritusRuth BloomDaniel Hillman, MDKarl A. Keener, Esq.Ruth Moss

PHILANTHROPY BOARDKathleen AikenheadLou ColenMarjorie FasmanRuth FlinkmanHilary & Robert Nelson JacobsGlorya KaufmanSusanne & Paul KesterShawn & Larry KingDeborah LaubSusan Adelman & Claudio LlanosChuck LorreLaurie MacDonaldDenise RichardsAnita May RosensteinCharlie SheenVictoria & Ronald SimmsHarriet & Richard SquireEva VollmerBillie Milam WeismanSylvia WeiszRuth ZieglerMarilyn Ziering

Diane & Michael ZieringJanet & Jerry Zucker

ADVISORY BOARDMartin Anderson, MD, MPHGregory G. BakerBernard BriskinSaul L. Brown, MDDavid BuellHenry G. CisnerosLou ColenHon. Kathleen ConnellDave DanielsLucia DiazLaddie John DillRaymond EdenLeah Ellenberg, PhDSuzanne FuttermanLuis GalvezLila GarrettNaomi GoldmanAllan GordonKaren Gunn, PhDDaniel HelbergRoseann Herman, Esq.Marilyn HershElaine HoffmanDouglas I. JeffeDan Keatinge, MDDiedre Kelly-GordonBarbara A. Levey, MD, FACPRemy LevyJulie LikerConnie LinnAl Markovitz, MD, FACPMichael McClainKelly Chapman MeyerRobert MoverleyCharlotte Neumann, MD, MPHRegina Pally, MDKenneth RambergHelen Reid, LCSWJoyce ReyAndrea Rich, PhDBrian K. RosensteinMonica Salinas, PhDMiguel SandovalJeffrey A. SeymourArthur StickgoldKate SummersRebecca Tafoya, CSACJill E. ThomasMatthew A. ToledoCarl Weissburg, Esq.Joseph K. Wright, Esq.

CHIEF EXECUTIVEOFFICERElizabeth Benson Forer,MSW/MPH310.664.7901

MEDICAL DIRECTORKaren Lamp, MD310.664.7648

DIRECTOR OFCOMMUNICATIONSTim Smith310.664.7910

GRAPHIC DESIGNERCourtney Gero310.664.7918

Providing free, quality health care to people in need

Photos: Margaret Molloy

Explore More of the Venice Art Walk & AuctionsThe Venice Art Walk & Auctions has its own web site, which expands on the information on page 4 of this issue ofEncounters and includes:

• photos of each of the homes on the Art & Architecture Tours,

• names of the 50+ artists in the Artists’ Studio Tours and Special Exhibits, as well as the 400+ artists in the Silent Art Auction,

• a blog featuring artist profiles, previews of works in the Silent Art Auction, and other web exclusives,

• a downloadable volunteer application, and

• fast and easy ticket ordering.

Just visit www.veniceartwalk.info. Also, feel free to post this web site address to your Facebook page.

Learn More about Planned GivingPlanned giving is just like it sounds—giving with a plan. The most common form involves simply naming the Clinic in your will or living trust, but there are other giving options that can:

• reduce your taxable income,• create options for distributing your estate to heirs,

• help you avoid capital gains on appreciated assets, and

• provide you with ongoing income in retirement.

To learn more about planned giving opportunities at Venice Family Clinic, visit www.venicefamilyclinic.org, click the “Donors” link in the top navigation, then scroll down to “Planned Gifts and Bequests.”

Find Us on FacebookThere’s a quick and easy way to stay in touch with VeniceFamily Clinic wherever you go. Become a Fan of the Clinicon Facebook and you can:

• receive event updates, advocacy action alerts, and links torelevant news stories in your feed,

• continue to receive news from Venice Family Clinic even if your e-mail address changes, and

• promote the Clinic to your friends with utmost ease.

To become a Fan, just log in at www.facebook.com, enter“Venice Family Clinic” in the search field, find the Clinic’spage, and click the “Like” link next to the Clinic’s name.That’s all it takes. Then you can even invite your friends to become Fans, too.

Sign Up for Short Story, Venice Family Clinic’s E-NewsletterIf you enjoyed the cover story in this newsletter, you mightalso enjoy Short Story, Venice Family Clinic’s periodice-newsletter. To sign up, just visit www.venicefamilyclinic.organd click the “Add to mailing list” link in the top right corner.

Connect with Venice Family Clinic Online

Printed on 15% recycled, FSC-Certified paper

As Venice Family Clinic celebrates its 40th anniversary,now is the perfect time to reiterate its reasons forbeing. To download the 2009 annual report, WhyWe’re Here, visit www.venicefamilyclinic.org, click on “About” in the top navigation, then scroll downto “Publications.”

Read the 2009 Annual Report

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