Only five months old, Clara's House is a free medical clinic in Sacramento run by volunteers with a short list of sponsors and a long wish list of needs. But, though the clinic may operate on a shoestring budget, "it's a model of compassion," says Outreach Director, Sr. Mary Ellen Howard, SND. And for those without health insurance, it's a Godsend.

Currently the clinic is in the process of becoming a Medi-Cal provider which would fund programs for women and children, including immunizations and mammograms. And as a Medi-Cal licensed facility, nurses could refer clients to other doctors for speciality care. But if you have a vision problem, you're out of luck. Medi-Cal doesn't cover the cost of a visit to an optometrist or prescription glasses.

That's what motivated volunteers at the clinic to try and raise funds to cover these costs for clients and that's why the Sisters of Notre Dame are giving the clinic a $7,500 grant from the Mother St. Joseph Ministry Fund. 

Good vision shouldn't be a luxury.

The Mother St. Joseph Ministry Fund "provides grants for ministries and projects which are in direct service to the materially poor and in which Sisters of Notre Dame of the California Province are directly involved."

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