SOUTH LOS ANGELES – Entering a mobile clinic has become familiar for 9-year-old Ebony Berts to get her healthcare. The familiarity for Ebony and her mom Monique is comforting when their day-to-day lives are so uncertain.

The mother and daughter are homeless currently living in a shelter in Glendale. The clinic visit is about checking on Ebony’s nutrition, something her mom is doing the best she can considering the circumstances.

“I try to get her like nutritional drinks, you know things like that, but they have to go in the refrigerator, so you need a doctor’s note,” said Monique.

Monique learned about COACH for Kids through her sister, and now they come once a month to keep track of Ebony’s nutrition and Body Mass Index.

Living in a shelter has taken a toll on both of them, but in addition to the healthcare that COACH for Kids provides, they also help with providing resources with different places to live.

“If it wasn’t for COACH For Kids we wouldn’t have our life right now,” said Ebony.

Four days a week, two medical mobile clinics travel to neighborhoods and park outside places, like schools and Women, Infants, and Children centers. Oftentimes this is the only healthcare that these patients receive.

Things like check-ups, medicine, vaccines, and services like dental, mental health, and social work are provided. All of the services are offered at no charge.

“We’re happy that we’re here, that we can provide the service for them, get them caught up with their immunizations, and then also refer them to ongoing sources of care,” said employee Michelle Rigsby-Pauley.

A lot of families across L.A. County have a hard time getting healthcare services, whether it has to do with insurance, language barriers, or in Monique and Ebony’s case, being limited financially and with transportation. The mobile medical clinic has been a life source during difficult times.

“It’s very encouraging to come to COACH for Kids and see people who do encourage you and let you know that things will get better,” said Monique.

Ebony’s visit wraps up for the day and even though they will head back to the shelter that feels unstable, the one thing that remains stable, is the genuine care and resources from COACH for Kids.