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Statement of Solidarity

Dear Angelenos,

As a country and a community, we again find ourselves grappling with painful, but all too familiar, issues related to power, privilege, oppression, and racism.

George Floyd’s death has pushed our nation to reflect on the racial injustices, health inequities, and social disparities that have long influenced UMMA Community Clinic’s (UMMA) work in South Los Angeles.

UMMA was first founded in the wake of the 1992 civil unrest, when seven UCLA medical and graduate students decided to use their talents and skills to bring much-needed health care to the South Los Angeles community. Today, UMMA is a full-service FQHC, operating two clinics and providing critical medical, behavioral, social, nutritional, and educational services to 8,500+ South Los Angeles residents.

UMMA is the first full-time charitable medical institution in the United States established by Muslim-Americans and has become a national model for the provision of culturally sensitive care. While UMMA’s work is inspired by the Muslim precept of inclusivity and giving back to the community, UMMA is not a religious organization, and 98 percent of our patients are non-Muslim. Our patient population is 70% Latino, 23% African American, 2% Caucasian, and 5% other or unreported. About 35 percent are uninsured and 68 percent are enrolled in public insurance programs that are often under uninsured. 

As our nation simultaneously tackles the ills of racism and the perils of COVID-19, UMMA reaffirms our commitment to the core Islamic values and moral principles which inspired our founders: service, compassion, human dignity, social justice, and ethical conduct.

For the many among us who belong to or advocate for historically marginalized groups, each new incident of injustice or inequity, whether near or far, brings fresh anger, frustration, and exhaustion. As a healthcare institution, we acknowledge and respect this anguish, and aim to bring comfort and love to those who are hurting. In these difficult times, UMMA will continue to provide crucial integrated health care services, with a special focus on behavioral health. We recognize that increasing access to behavioral health services will be especially important in this period of economic instability and social distress.

In Los Angeles, members of the black community are dying from COVID-19 at two to three times their population share. UMMA is connecting with local Black community leaders to advocate for the following:

  • Complete collection and release of Los Angeles County and California data on COVID-19 cases and deaths, with particular focus on areas with large Black populations.
  • Universal access to non-invasive testing in Black communities throughout the County, especially South Central Los Angeles, Watts, Skid Row, Compton, and Inglewood.
  • On-demand, free medical care for Black residents of Los Angeles County during the COVID-19 crisis.
  • Funding for Black-led, culturally-competent, free exercise and wellness classes in Black communities throughout the County, especially South Central Los Angeles, Watts, Skid Row, Compton, and Inglewood.
  • Funding for free culturally-competent counseling and mental health resources for Black residents of Los Angeles County.
  • Weekly farmers markets in Black communities throughout the County, especially South Central Los Angeles, Watts, Skid Row, Compton, and Inglewood.

UMMA Community Clinic finds itself at the heart of a resilient community that persists and perseveres despite jarring socioeconomic circumstances. We look forward to working together to build a more equitable community for all Angelenos.

With Gratitude,

UMMA Community Clinic Board of Directors & Senior Management Team

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COMMUNITY RESOURCES:

South Los Angeles Entities:

Educational Materials:

Websites

Books

Articles

Videos and Podcasts

Census

Census: The census response rate is 25% in Los Angeles, 32.5% in California, and 33.1% nationally. It is more important now than ever before that our communities are counted in the Census.

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