Health care professionals provide free care to those in need
Free dental, vision, and medical services are offered to the Coachella valley by California Careforce from February 28 - March 2, 2025 at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio. Gates open at 5:30 a.m. and the clinic opens at 7:00 a.m.
Dentistry will include fillings, extractions, cleanings, x-rays, and limited number of dentures. The vision lab has vision acuity tests and eyeglasses made onsite. As well as general health exams.
“This is the 11th year that we've been able to join Coachella Valley and offer these services to the community. What we do is there are a lot less providers here in the valley compared to the needs of the patients,” said Cyndi Ankiewicz, California CareForce Executive Director.
All services are free, open to the public, offered on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of services as capacity allows. No ID is required and services are provided at the discretion of the provider.
A vision acuity test is available and eyeglasses are made in an hour, with over 500 new frames donated by other corporations.
“We can cut and trace frames, edge lenses down and fit them through, you know, standard manufacturing processes that you'll see at a local big box store, but we can do it on site here,” said Eugene Lee, team lead for the vision lab.
Additional services include: immunizations and STI & HIV screening each day, and mammograms on Saturday and Sunday.
For more information on volunteering or receiving services visit: www.californiacareforce.org.
