Orange County Center For Health

The Orange County Center for Health, which for a quarter century has functioned as a medical lifeline for as many as 8,000 low-income patients, is now fighting for its own survival. And the prognosis doesn't look very promising.

The Orange County Center for Health, which for a quarter century has functioned as a medical lifeline for as many as 8,000 low-income patients, is now fighting for its own survival. And the prognosis doesn't look very promising.

As a participant in AIDS Walk this year, I was shocked to read ("AIDS Walk to Give $421,500 in Awards," Oct. 7) that AIDS Walk Orange County had given $73,000 to the Orange County Center for Health. I can't help but wonder what their criteria was for selecting recipients for funding. OCCH's integrity is seriously being questioned by many former employees and by community groups. So far in 1993, 17 people have left the clinic. This includes most of the medical staff, some of the AIDS team, and four departmental directors.

Six nonprofit organizations offering services in Anaheim will receive more city funds after money was reallocated that had been earmarked for transportation services for senior citizens. The city Community Services Department distributed $50,000 to the agencies rather than put the money toward senior transportation.

The Community Development Council, Orange County's largest anti-poverty agency, announced Thursday that it has given $50,000 of its federal funds for the homeless to several social service groups that assist the county's poor. Lutheran Social Services in Garden Grove and the Orange County Center for Health in Anaheim were awarded $20,000 to provide rental assistance and medical care for the indigent.

A counseling hot line, a health-care agency that serves poor people, a homeless shelter and a counseling service for the elderly received a total of $41,300 to provide services for Anaheim residents. The City Council awarded $10,000 for the next fiscal year to Hotline Help Center of Orange, which provides emergency telephone counseling.

The California Community Foundation has announced that it will give more than $100,000 to four Orange County organizations addressing AIDS issues. The foundation, with assets approaching $90 million, is the oldest grant-making foundation in Southern California and is now in its 75th year.

Following the most successful fund-raising effort in its seven-year history, AIDS Walk Orange County has announced it will award $421,500 to service agencies in the county this week. "I'm so excited about giving out this money," director JoAnn Ruden said Wednesday. "It's hard work getting it in, but, boy, is it fun giving it away." The money was generated during a June 12 walk that drew a record-breaking 9,000 participants, according to a statement released by AIDS Walk.

Saying that more than 6,000 needy residents will benefit, leaders from nine Orange County health clinics on Monday applauded a county plan to spend $2.79 million so the clinics can contract with doctors and hospitals to care for their patients. Joan Furman, president of the Coalition of Orange County Community Clinics, said the funds will enable thousands of indigent patients to receive continuing, cost-effective care instead of landing in an emergency room when their condition is critical.

About 2,000 walkers, joggers and skaters are expected in Irvine on Sunday morning to participate in the fifth annual AIDS Walk Orange County. The 10-kilometer walk is expected to raise about $375,000 to help fund services for county residents with AIDS, to help with AIDS education and to fund research into the disease. About two-thirds of the money raised comes from the walkers, who collect sponsorships for each kilometer, walk director Catherine Winthrop said Thursday.

Ahhh. . . . There's nothing like the great outdoors and especially the sport of fishing. Rising early on a brisk morning, trotting down to the lake with fishing pole in hand, casting out a line and waiting for a fish to jump on the hook while enjoying a fresh cup of hot coffee. But wait. Can this outdoor bliss be found in Orange County? But of course. It means experiencing not only the great joy of fishing, but also the fulfilling act of volunteerism.