Improving Health Outcomes in an Under-Resourced Community

In Lompoc, California, where resources are scarce and needs are great, the Lompoc Valley Community Healthcare Organization (LVCHO) has quietly operated behind the scenes to dramatically improve health outcomes in this diverse and vibrant community for 25 years.

“We’re here to create lasting change, not just provide services,” says Executive Director Ashley Costa, a Lompoc native who has led the nonprofit for over a decade. “Our mission is to ensure that everyone in our community has the opportunity to live a healthy life.”

Founded in 1999 by local leaders, the organization was created to tackle the systemic issues driving poor health in Lompoc. With a focus on strategic, long-term solutions, the organization addresses the root causes of health disparities at the policy, systems, and environmental levels.

Costa emphasizes that their approach looks beyond immediate needs to understand why people require help in the first place. “We ask the question: Why does this person have these needs? What policies or systems are failing them? What environmental factors are at play?” she explains. “Then we get to work addressing the root of the problem.”

The organization’s strategy addresses key areas: healthy eating, physical activity, mental wellness, healthcare access, and community resilience. It has tackled needs such as outpatient alcohol treatment, dental services, pediatric clinic improvements, access to pharmaceuticals, childhood obesity prevention, walkability and bike-ability, access to healthy produce, mental wellness programs, and family
caregiver support.

Their initiatives have made a tangible impact. The “Healthy Happenings” newsletter keeps residents informed about health topics. The Vaccinate Lompoc campaign raised COVID-19 awareness, and the Lompoc Counts Census outreach ensured community representation. Physical activity programs like Healthy People Healthy Trails and the Lompoc Open Streets event have encouraged residents to get active.

Other significant projects include installing bicycle repair and water refill stations, launching the Route One Farmers Market to improve access to healthy food, and creating Creative Crosswalks to boost walkability. 

One of LVCHO’s most significant achievements is the renovation of the Lompoc community track and field, a project that raised $1.7 million and brought together the city, school district, and residents. 

“I was struggling to find a safe place to exercise,” says a community member who now uses the Lompoc Community Track & Field at Huyck Stadium, “but now I go to the track every day. It’s been life-changing.”

Despite having only 4.5 full-time equivalent staff, LVCHO plays a crucial role in connecting stakeholders across sectors to address deeper health issues in the Latino population.

With 60% of residents identifying as Hispanic or Latino and a large population of monolingual Spanish speakers, Lompoc faces unique challenges requiring culturally competent health solutions.

In response, LVCHO recently hired its first two bilingual staff members. As a next step, the organization has launched Cafecito Comunitario, a program designed to create a space for listening, connection, and building trust within Lompoc’s Spanish-speaking community.

“We are deeply committed to supporting those who face the greatest inequities in our community, Costa says. “We’re not just addressing today’s challenges; we’re laying the groundwork for a healthier tomorrow.”