Clínica Monseñor Oscar A. Romero
Health Clinic Strives for Not Only Recovery, but Belief in the Future
Arriving late to her daughter’s seventh birthday party was the clarifying moment for Amanda Zabala to do everything possible to turn her life around for her daughter and their future.
Growing up, Amanda helped doing housework and taking care of her younger siblings, leading her to quit school and begin working at 15 to cover household expenses. As Amanda got older, she started spending time in environments that exposed her to drugs.
This eventually led her to addiction, which became a way to escape, causing Amanda to distance herself from loved ones. She was moving frequently and was admittedly hard to reach when the birthday party — and her daughter’s quick forgiveness — was the wakeup call she needed.
“I was crying and asked my daughter to forgive me for not being there for her and, without a tear or any hesitation, she forgave me. I realized in that moment I could and would do anything to be better for her,” Amanda says.
With a support system in place back at home, Amanda was in the early stages of recovery when a court summons led her to start an intensive four-day-per-week outpatient addiction recovery program through La Clínica Monseñor Oscar A. Romero.
Amanda sits with her journal and prepares for a class at the clinic.
Clínica Romero is a nonprofit that provides community-sensitive health care and other services to the underserved communities of greater Los Angeles, regardless of their ability to pay. The nonprofit runs six clinics across the region, providing vital physical and mental health services and wellness education, in addition to its team of “Promotoras” (trained, trusted community members who act as peer educators and liaisons between Spanish-speaking residents and health/social services), who conduct house visits and home health assessments.
“We focus on prevention, access and empowerment — meeting people where they are,” says President and CEO Carlos Vaquerano. “Our relationship with Enterprise has supported our growth as we continue to identify ways to reach underserved communities. Beyond the banking, the team is always present, donating to our capital campaign and attending our annual gala.”
Current growth plans for Clínica Romero include a new building that will expand the current headquarters and house a full range of behavioral health services, including substance use disorder treatment, like the program that Amanda still participates in.
“I was lucky to have the opportunity to get that resource,” Amanda says. “In the beginning, it was very tough, but it grew on me because it gave me the support I needed to make real progress. My counselor pushes me to work on my mental state and mindfulness, which makes me stronger every day.”
Amanda says Clínica Romero’s programs are truly life-changing. She is sober, living her life as a devoted mother and committed to helping others. While working as a tax preparer, she also feels called to a new career path and is working hard to make it a reality. She has earned a certification as a peer support specialist and is training to become a behavioral interventionist so that she can give back to others the way her support team has helped her.
“Above all, Clínica Romero has helped me rebuild my confidence,” says Amanda. “Through mentorship and support, I’ve gained professional and personal skills like discipline and self-awareness. Now I am goal-oriented and know I deserve a future.”