The SLO Noor Foundation California recently received the 2025 Nonprofit of the Year award for District 30. Pictured at the Nonprofits Day event at the state capitol in Sacramento are David Parro, executive director, SLO Noor Foundation; California State Assemblymember Dawn Addis; Barbara Alarcon, SLO Medical Clinic manager. Photo submitted
The SLO Noor Foundation was recently recognized as the 2025 “Nonprofit of the Year” by California State Assembly member Dawn Addis representing District 30, which includes parts of Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Cruz counties.
The SLO Noor Foundation (SLONF) operates two free, physical brick and mortar locations in San Luis Obispo (a medical, vision, and mental health clinic; and a dental clinic). Additionally, they operate the Free Mobile Health Clinic, serving all of San Luis Obispo County; the Telehealth Care & Virtual Support Program; and the Women’s Mobile Health Unit, which serves the Santa Maria Valley in partnership with the Cal Poly Health Research Center. The nonprofit serves uninsured adults in San Luis Obispo and northern Santa Barbara counties, regardless of race, ethnicity, immigration status, religion, sexual orientation, or gender.
“It’s an incredible honor that we’re so excited about,” SLONF’s Executive Director, David Parro, told Estero Bay News. “Being honored this year was very humbling and inspiring; it truly was a community effort, from our hardworking staff to our wonderful patients to our generous local donors to our selfless volunteers.
“This recognition by Assemblymember Addis is especially meaningful given the efforts she is currently taking to preserve equitable access to health services within District 30 as well as her efforts to support healthcare for undocumented people.”
The recognition comes at a time when nonprofits across the nation are feeling the impact of President Donald Trump’s policy shifts that come with federal funding cuts and the elimination of tax benefits among other changes.
Parro says that recent cutbacks in San Luis Obispo County and its local government spending has “deeply affected” SLONF, which doesn’t rely on any other state and/or federal programs nor receive reimbursement from insurance companies.
Roughly 36% of the SLO Noor Foundation’s funding comes from community and/or business donations. Currently, donations remain stable but grant funding has declined.
“With federal funding being slashed,” Parro said, “many local and national grant programs have had a huge influx of new applicants and less funds to distribute, meaning grant funding of all kinds is becoming increasingly competitive and challenging. Now, more than ever, the SLO Noor Foundation needs your help – whether that be $10 or 10 minutes of your time sharing with others about our services.”
Donations to SLONF can be made at slonoorfoundation.org/donate.
Another issue on the horizon is potential cuts to Medicaid that could result in a loss of health coverage for up to 3.4 million Californians, according to the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom.
In response SLONF is expanding its outreach and community awareness “We’re prepared and ready to support all our community members, ensuring their wellbeing, privacy, and health are all prioritized,” Parro said. “Being uninsured does not have an age limit or a certain demographic – instead, over 50,000 individuals are estimated to be uninsured in San Luis Obispo County and Santa Barbara County by the US Census Bureau.”
Then there are the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, such as those making world news in Los Angeles, CA.
The fear of ICE showing up at clinics has hit home in SLO County as well. In some cases, vaccinations, prescriptions, and care management are left unattended.
“During this time of societal and political polarization, SLONF and its Health Clinics are witnessing that undocumented and/or immigrant patients are experiencing increased hesitancy and fear going about their day-to-day lives,” Parro said. “The fear of deportation, along with possible ICE raids, has forced undocumented and immigrant communities to shelter-in-place, much like during a natural disaster. By staying in their homes, undocumented and immigrant individuals may feel better able to protect themselves and their loved ones from possible interactions with law enforcement or immigration officials. Consequently, they often deprioritize their healthcare and experience worsened health conditions.”
Parro said that during the SLO Noor Free Mobile Clinic’s most recent weekly visit to Paso Robles, there were three no-show patients, which is rare for the clinic.
“Understandably, many of the SLONF’s undocumented or immigrant patients currently feel that the risk of deportation is more pressing than any healthcare risks plaguing them,” he said.
SLONF is currently addressing these needs by increasing telehealth services, so patients don’t need to come in person; consolidating patient appointments by offering phlebotomy in-house so patients don’t need to go to an additional location; and amplifying advocacy and information.
They are also prepared should ICE agents show up at one of their health clinics.
“We worked with another local nonprofit, UndocuSupport, and Joel Diringer, a local attorney and healthcare advocate, to train our staff and volunteers in how to properly respond should ICE agents arrive at one of our clinics. Additionally, we provide red cards [that outlines an individual’s constitutional rights when interacting with immigration or law enforcement officials] and other immigration resources to our patients. As always, the safety and wellbeing of our patients and staff is the utmost priority.”
Founded in 2009, SLONF currently has 125 active monthly volunteers who provide more than 850 monthly volunteer hours throughout the nonprofit’s clinics. Volunteer roles include medical, dental, vision, and mental health care professionals, volunteer students, and numerous other community members including doctors, nurse practitioners, dentists, hygienists, optometrists, ophthalmologists, nurses, medical assistants, phlebotomists, clinic assistants, scribes, grant writers, administrative assistants, and more.
“The SLO Noor Foundation is incredibly lucky to have such talented staff members and dedicated volunteers,” Parro said. “We believe that healthcare and access to healthcare services are universal rights, meaning no one should go without healthcare because they cannot afford it or easily access it. In fighting for healthcare equality, the SLO Noor Foundation has fostered an inclusive community and volunteer base, all of whom are passionate about our mission.”
In 2024, the SLO Noor Foundation treated 1,873 unique patients and provided 6,035 visits. Of these encounters, 613 healthcare visits were provided to 150 Morro Bay, Cayucos, Cambria, and Los Osos community members.
“In providing free, accessible healthcare to uninsured individuals, the SLONF does not only extend the lifespans of patients but also improves the everyday health and quality of life for every individual served,” Parro said. “By effectively addressing the health concerns of SLONF patients, these same persons are better able to pursue education, care for their families, work, and otherwise contribute to their communities.”
A healthier community at large also saves the County money and relieves local emergency departments. A 2024 study, “Prevalence of Chronic Disease and Cost Effectiveness of a Free Clinic,” by the National Library of Medicine, found that the SLO Noor Clinic’s services in 2022 resulted in $11.5 million in cost savings and a return on investment of $13.18 per $1 invested.
The SLO Noor Foundation can be reached at (805) 439-1797. They are headquartered at 1428 Phillip’s Lane Suite 203, San Luis Obispo.
Readers looking to utilize the Free Mobile Health Clinic can check out the summer schedule, which is regularly updated to add locations and mobile appointments, at SLONoorFoundation.org and click “Become a Patient” under the Mobile Health Clinic tab.
SLONF has been selected as the 2025 SLO Park Palooza beneficiary and will receive profits from the family event that takes place August 2, at Dairy Creek Golf Course, 2990 Dairy Creek Rd, San Luis Obispo from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The event features live music, athletic competitions, vendors, art, food and fun. Tickets will soon be available at my805tix.com,
