Today we’d like to introduce you to Hillary And Jacquie Gil And Mathai.
Hi Hillary and Jacquie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Our story began with two women confirming their passion for the community one night after a women’s church gathering. These two women dedicated their time during the pandemic to be present in the community and help coordinate food drives for the city of Hollywood. Their vision is to employ mobilized health education to reach a vulnerable population that cannot access necessary healthcare or resources. Through this, their passion was ignited, and they began to think of ways on how to achieve community health. We got here today through many planning meetings at coffee shops, the help of our church community (NBHD roots, formally cruciform church., and many after hour meetings after our full time job. Running a nonprofit takes a lot of perseverance, because you have to have a heart for it and what your providing, as its not a paid position, at least not at the start. Through our outreach efforts , like workshops and health fairs we are doing the work and collecting this data to present to sponsors and grant funding organizations that align with their goals in social impact.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting a business—especially a nonprofit—has definitely been a winding road. Building an organization dedicated to community health education takes an incredible amount of accountability, sacrifice, and time outside of our normal working hours and day jobs. In the beginning, some of our biggest challenges were finding facilities that could accommodate the health education component of our mission, dealing with the financial stress of not yet securing larger long-term grant funding, and navigating inconsistency with volunteer support.
There have been stressful and frustrating moments where we questioned how we could continue providing for the community with limited resources. But despite those obstacles, the moments that remind us why we started make it all worthwhile. Seeing someone feel truly heard during a health workshop, or watching a church successfully host its first health fair after receiving our outreach consultation support, is incredibly rewarding. Seeing the smiles, excitement, and impact on the community reignites our passion every time and reminds us that “this” is worth it.
We’ve been impressed with Neighborhood Medical, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Our organization is dedicated to serving underserved communities through strategic partnerships with churches and local organizations. We provide health education, mental health crisis response training, and outreach development services that help communities build stronger, more sustainable pathways to care. Our goal is not only to educate, but to empower trusted community spaces to become catalysts for healthier outcomes.
What sets us apart is our community-based approach. We understand that many individuals feel more comfortable seeking support in familiar, trusted environments such as churches and neighborhood organizations. Instead of taking a one-size-fits-all approach, we work collaboratively with community leaders to create programs and outreach initiatives that are culturally relevant, accessible, and impactful.
We are especially known for helping organizations successfully launch health fairs, we offer wellness workshops, and outreach initiatives that create real engagement within the communities they serve. One of the things we are most proud of brand-wise is being recognized as an organization that genuinely listens to community needs and turns those concerns into action-oriented solutions.
Above all, we want readers to know that our work is rooted in compassion, partnership, and sustainability. We believe health education and access to resources should not be a privilege, and we are committed to helping communities build long-term health capacity that can create lasting public health impact.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
One piece of advice we would give to those just starting out is to make sure you have the right support system and connections around you. If you have a business partner, keep each other accountable, lean into each other’s strengths, and support one another through weaknesses. Jacquie, PA-C, leads our health workshop operations, while Hillary, M.S., focuses on business relations and impact development. Together we complement each other, learned how to organize health fairs, grow the organization, and adapt as we go.
For those starting a business or nonprofit solo, we would encourage finding someone who can still support and encourage when things get difficult. Entrepreneurship can feel overwhelming at times, and having a cheerleader in your corner matters more than people realize. make sure. There will be moments when things do not go as planned, but do not give up. Re-adjust, re-create, and never forget the vision or the “why” behind what you started.
Another important lesson is to truly understand your target audience and be very clear about the services you offer. Clarity helps people connect with your mission and understand the value you bring to the community.
One thing we wish we knew earlier was how important it is to learn how to market to different audiences and effectively communicate with sponsors and grant foundations. Securing sustainable funding is one of the biggest challenges for nonprofits, and we found ourselves learning grant writing and proposal development halfway through the journey. It taught us that passion alone is not enough—you also need strategy, communication, and the ability to demonstrate impact.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.neighborhoodmedical.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_neighborhoodmedical?igsh=MTEwbmJodWVwcG40aA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GPerJ489T/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@neighborhoodmedical?si=xXMcI8vR8zlYiiXl
