Translated by H.B. Qin Edited by Adriana DiBenedetto
On April 12, 2026, the Tzu Chi Health Center in Wilmington, California, near the Port of Los Angeles, hosted a free medical outreach event for the community. The event expanded the center’s usual services by offering dental, vision, internal medicine, and traditional Chinese medicine care, as well as free haircuts. This was the second free clinic since April 2025, with 65 patients in attendance. The event not only met medical needs but also showed how residents support one another, turning help received into help given.
Serving Neighbors and Safeguarding Health
Wilmington is home to many Port of Los Angeles workers and immigrant community members, and accessing medical care that covers the scope of human need can be a challenge that many cannot afford. The local Tzu Chi Health Center has served the community for years, mainly offering acupuncture. Through regular pantry distributions, volunteers learned about their neighbors’ needs, and the center gradually expanded its free outreach to better support residents.
On the morning of the event, the Tzu Chi Health Center was filled with activity as volunteers, including 26 Tzu Chi Collegiate Association volunteers (whose members are known as Tzu Ching), arrived to help. To ensure seamless service, volunteer translators with orange armbands assisted with registration and interpretation. At the opening ceremony, volunteers joined in prayer for a successful event. In addition to medical care, volunteers also provide free haircuts.
Dependable Dental Treatment
In the dental area, Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) dentist Dr. Lawrence Lai examined and treated Álvaro Nieves, explaining each part of the oral health exam in detail. Afterward, Nieves gratefully looked at his teeth in a mirror, relaxed and at ease.
Nieves works part-time at a liquor store and has a limited income. Because of his financial situation, he had not been able to see a dentist for over two years. The high cost of care also meant he could not receive timely treatment when the need arose. He shared that his mouth and teeth now feel much healthier, and the doctor’s careful, patient explanations helped him feel comfortable.
This free clinic was really helpful. I feel great after the teeth cleaning, and my teeth are healthier now.
Dentist Dr. Jack Chiang also offered care at the event. He explained how Tzu Chi USA’s Wilmington, California, Health Center gradually returned to normal operations following the COVID-19 pandemic, working steadfastly to restore and enhance this recurring, foundational care for the communities it serves. This free outreach event, in particular, brought together dental, vision, Western, and traditional Chinese medicine services for a holistic experience.
Dr. Chiang also shared that many people avoid medical care because of high costs, but free services like Tzu Chi’s events offer real help right away. He also saw that many patients from last year’s clinic returned this year, showing that the community both trusts and values these services.
Instant Eyeglasses Fitting
Tzu Chi’s Mobile Vision Clinic was also on the scene, providing vision tests and fitting patients with prescription eyeglasses. A volunteer from the Tzu Chi Collegiate Association at the University of California, Irvine, helped patients by explaining and guiding them through the process. Once their eyeglasses were ready, volunteers delivered them directly into the hands of care recipients on site so patients could see the world more clearly without delay.
Tu Truong grew up in Bakersfield, California, and first learned about Tzu Chi through its local medical outreach. “Their mission of compassionate relief really inspired me, and that’s why when I entered college, I knew that Tzu Chi was something I wanted to continue,” Truong said. She joined the Tzu Chi Collegiate Association and became a volunteer, staying active through service. Truong shared that it had been inspiring to be able to see how everyone comes together, whether that be Tzu Chi’s medical providers, culinary team, and beyond, to make a difference, bringing smiles to the faces of all in attendance. Truong added that remembering the need for more comprehensive medical resources in her own hometown made her even more determined to keep helping others.
TCM Acupuncture to Address Pain
Many patients sought pain relief at the event, making the TCM service quite popular. Some patients even experienced acupuncture for the first time ever, and were surprised by its effectiveness. TCM practitioner Mike Chi treated patients with acupuncture and massage based on their individual symptoms. During the treatment, patients gradually relaxed and expressed deep satisfaction with the effect.
Chi said that he has been retired from the Tzu Health Center for more than 10 years, but he continues to participate in free clinic services with a dedicated heart. “It’s like coming back to my mother’s home,” shared Chi, who specializes in treating various types of pain, including head, neck, shoulder, back, limb, and joint discomfort. He explained that acupuncture is based on the principle that “free flow prevents pain.” Thus, he relieves pain by unblocking meridians and promoting blood circulation, while his massage focuses on relaxing muscles and soft tissues. The combination of the two, depending on the patient’s needs, commonly presents a more significant effect. Compared to medication, Chi said, acupuncture has fewer side effects, and is suitable for most patients with chronic pain.
Helping Others Helps Oneself
Moved by the assistance they once received, many people become passionate helpers themselves, giving back to the community as volunteers. Spanish-language volunteer trainee Jesus Maria Torres was once a recipient of aid and now assists doctors in communicating with patients, and accompanies them during consultations. She shared that this was the first time she’d observed acupuncture treatment up close. Seeing acupuncture applied to different parts of the body, such as the hands and feet, to help patients relieve discomfort deeply impressed Torres. “I really like being here to help the people and to help me, too,” she said, sharing that after personally experiencing acupuncture, she found that the process was almost painless. She also said this experience offered a better understanding of the body’s healing power, which, in turn, gave her a new perspective on traditional Chinese medicine.
She noticed that many young volunteers actively interacted with patients in Spanish, learning the language and communication skills as they served, which deeply moved her.
I enjoy it because a lot of people come with different kinds of sickness, and then the doctors and everybody here help them.
Giving Back to the Community
In addition to providing medical care, volunteers also accompany residents in the long term, helping them gradually move from receiving assistance to giving back.
Volunteer Sandia Chang said that the idea for their free medical outreach originated from their produce distribution services. Many residents became connected with Tzu Chi through receiving these supplies, and then participated in other community activities. “We also share the story of the bamboo bank to let everyone know that small acts of kindness can accumulate into great good.”
The team aims to hold two free clinics per year to serve residents, and encourages people to volunteer. With the help of local volunteer translators, communication has become smoother, and community connections have grown closer. Currently, more than 10 volunteers have participated in Spanish-language training, enabling them to strengthen Tzu Chi’s bamboo bank spirit during supply distributions, and the number of bamboo banks returned has steadily increased.
