Our first event was produced in conjunction with Maria Shriver (then first lady of California) in the fall of 2010, in Long Beach. We produced three more massive free clinics at the Los Angeles Sports Arena, in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Together, these four events provided more than 48,000 medical, dental and vision services, including dental fillings, extractions, cleanings, root canals and crowns, partial dentures, eye exams and prescription glasses, exams by primary care physicians and specialists. More than 25,000 screenings and immunizations have been given. All services are at no charge to the patient.
Early in 2012, we changed our name to Care Harbor (from CareNow) to symbolize our role as both a destination and a gateway – a refuge for people seeking care and a portal that leads to continuing care and healthier lifestyles. We are preparing our next clinic at the Los Angeles Sports Arena, with a further expansion in free services.The Care Harbor team first worked together in 2009 at what was then the largest urban free clinic in the country, held at the Forum in Los Angeles. Don Manelli, founder of Care Harbor, was the local organizer and producer. After organizing a second free clinic in the spring of 2010, he formed the California based nonprofit with the vision that large free clinic events can provide sustainable as well as episodic care and create lasting change in the lives of the people served.
Care Harbor has since innovated major advances in the free clinic model. We’ve developed patient handling systems that eliminate overnight waits by patients hoping to gain entry, and day long internal lines. We’ve implemented a HIPAA compliant electronic medical record system. We’ve introduced greatly expanded prevention and health education capabilities, including unique programs like preventive dentistry. We continue to innovate new software solutions that allow us to manage and measure clinic performance with greater depth and precision than ever. And our follow-up capability helps assure that patients with conditions requiring additional treatment receive it.
We have continued to expand our mission in this era of healthcare reform. With a major insurance education and enrollment effort, we are creating the opportunity for thousands of uninsured to enter no-cost and low cost coverage programs.
We are now expanding the Care Harbor clinic model to other cities. The Care Harbor team will continue to innovate advances expanding the breadth of services we offer, the quality of care we deliver, and the access to sustainable care we provide.
Donald Manelli, CEO and Founder, Care Harbor
Don founded Care Harbor in 2010 with the vision that free clinic events can provide sustainable as well as episodic care, and create lasting change in the lives of the people served. Don’s experience producing large scale projects began with his Chicago based media company, producing film projects and trade shows in the United States and Europe for Fortune 100 clients including some of the nation’s leading healthcare companies. Prior to his production company, Don was head writer of “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom” on the NBC television network, scripting 60 shows including two Emmy award winning episodes. Don has received numerous awards and commendations for his work with Care Harbor. He is a graduate of Notre Dame University.
Donald Manelli, CEO and Founder, Care Harbor
Don founded Care Harbor in 2010 with the vision that free clinic events can provide sustainable as well as episodic care, and create lasting change in the lives of the people served. Don’s experience producing large scale projects began with his Chicago based media company, producing film projects and trade shows in the United States and Europe for Fortune 100 clients including some of the nation’s leading healthcare companies. Prior to his production company, Don was head writer of “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom” on the NBC television network, scripting 60 shows including two Emmy award winning episodes. Don has received numerous awards and commendations for his work with Care Harbor. He is a graduate of Notre Dame University.
John A. Kotick, JD
John has more than 40 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector. In 2012, he founded the Kotick Network, a consulting practice providing strategic planning and organizational development to clients in the nonprofit community. John was a founding team member of SCAN Health Plan and has served in many healthcare leadership positions, including CEO of Family Health Care Centers of Greater Los Angeles, Chief Administrative Officer for Outpatient Clinics of Orthopedic Hospital, and others. He was on the writing team for California’s Long Term Care Reform Act. John is a graduate of the University of Southern California with a J.D. degree from the Gould School of Law and a B.A in political science.
John A. Kotick, JD
John has more than 40 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector. In 2012, he founded the Kotick Network, a consulting practice providing strategic planning and organizational development to clients in the nonprofit community. John was a founding team member of SCAN Health Plan and has served in many healthcare leadership positions, including CEO of Family Health Care Centers of Greater Los Angeles, Chief Administrative Officer for Outpatient Clinics of Orthopedic Hospital, and others. He was on the writing team for California’s Long Term Care Reform Act. John is a graduate of the University of Southern California with a J.D. degree from the Gould School of Law and a B.A in political science.
lfetayo Johnson, MA
lfetayo is Executive Director of United Health Organization, a position she has held since 1999. Through Project Healthy Living, she coordinates the delivery of free and low-cost health screenings to over 10,000 participants in seven Michigan counties annually. She is active in the Healthy Cities movement and has been a national presenter on preventive health, health disparities and childhood obesity. lfetayo is former Director of Healthy Detroit and she has served on the faculty of Bowling Green State University, Appalachian State University and Livingstone College.
lfetayo Johnson, MA
lfetayo is Executive Director of United Health Organization, a position she has held since 1999. Through Project Healthy Living, she coordinates the delivery of free and low-cost health screenings to over 10,000 participants in seven Michigan counties annually. She is active in the Healthy Cities movement and has been a national presenter on preventive health, health disparities and childhood obesity. lfetayo is former Director of Healthy Detroit and she has served on the faculty of Bowling Green State University, Appalachian State University and Livingstone College.
John Kander
John is a production executive dedicated to using media for social engagement and inspiration. Many of the 25 television movies he has developed and produced have earned creative and humanitarian awards including multiple Emmys, the Golden Globe and Christopher Awards, and the Humanitas Prize. His recent series include “Hiring America”, helping vets transition to civilian careers, and “The Best Medicine”, a video comedy series for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. John has lectured in media studies at UCLA School of Business, UC Irvine School of Law, and Claremont McKenna College, his alma mater, where he also served as Chairman of the Gould Center for the Humanities. He has served as a Team Leader at all of the Care Harbor free clinics.
John Kander
John is a production executive dedicated to using media for social engagement and inspiration. Many of the 25 television movies he has developed and produced have earned creative and humanitarian awards including multiple Emmys, the Golden Globe and Christopher Awards, and the Humanitas Prize. His recent series include “Hiring America”, helping vets transition to civilian careers, and “The Best Medicine”, a video comedy series for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. John has lectured in media studies at UCLA School of Business, UC Irvine School of Law, and Claremont McKenna College, his alma mater, where he also served as Chairman of the Gould Center for the Humanities. He has served as a Team Leader at all of the Care Harbor free clinics.
Susan Solomon, JD, MA
Executive Director, Jewish Cemeteries of San Francisco. Susan is a licensed attorney and has held senior management positions in leading legal and financial organizations. She is responsible for all aspects of operations, from fiscal management to staff supervision and support, from community relations to the strategic planning and implementation of the many services the cemeteries provide. She has also helped organize and manage community outreach and social action programs, including outreach to homeless persons, immigration reform and repair of communities damaged by natural disasters. Susan serves as a volunteer at Care Harbor events. She is a graduate of Loyola University Law School of Chicago.
Susan Solomon, JD, MA
Executive Director, Jewish Cemeteries of San Francisco. Susan is a licensed attorney and has held senior management positions in leading legal and financial organizations. She is responsible for all aspects of operations, from fiscal management to staff supervision and support, from community relations to the strategic planning and implementation of the many services the cemeteries provide. She has also helped organize and manage community outreach and social action programs, including outreach to homeless persons, immigration reform and repair of communities damaged by natural disasters. Susan serves as a volunteer at Care Harbor events. She is a graduate of Loyola University Law School of Chicago
Donald Manelli – Chief Executive Officer
Donald Manelli is CEO of Care Harbor. He founded the 501(c)(3) charity in 2010 with the vision that free clinic events can provide sustainable as well as episodic care – creating lasting change in the lives of the people served. Don gained experience organizing and managing large scale events as president of Manelli & Associates, Inc., a Chicago based media company, producing film projects and trade shows in the United States and Europe for Fortune 100 clients including some of the nation’s leading healthcare companies. Prior to that, he was head writer of “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom” on the NBC television network, scripting 60 shows including two Emmy award winning episodes. Don has received numerous awards for his work with Care Harbor. He is a graduate of Notre Dame University.
Donald Manelli – Chief Executive Officer
Donald Manelli is CEO of Care Harbor. He founded the 501(c)(3) charity in 2010 with the vision that free clinic events can provide sustainable as well as episodic care – creating lasting change in the lives of the people served. Don gained experience organizing and managing large scale events as president of Manelli & Associates, Inc., a Chicago based media company, producing film projects and trade shows in the United States and Europe for Fortune 100 clients including some of the nation’s leading healthcare companies. Prior to that, he was head writer of “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom” on the NBC television network, scripting 60 shows including two Emmy award winning episodes. Don has received numerous awards for his work with Care Harbor. He is a graduate of Notre Dame University.
John A. Kotick, JD – Treasurer
John has more than 40 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector. In 2012, he founded the Kotick Network, a consulting practice providing strategic planning and organizational development to clients in the nonprofit community. John was a founding team member of SCAN Health Plan and has served in many healthcare leadership positions, including CEO of Family Health Care Centers of Greater Los Angeles, Chief Administrative Officer for Outpatient Clinics of Orthopedic Hospital, and others. He was on the writing team for California’s Long Term Care Reform Act. John is a graduate of the University of Southern California with a J.D. degree from the Gould School of Law and a B.A in political science.
John A. Kotick, JD – Treasurer
John has more than 40 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector. In 2012, he founded the Kotick Network, a consulting practice providing strategic planning and organizational development to clients in the nonprofit community. John was a founding team member of SCAN Health Plan and has served in many healthcare leadership positions, including CEO of Family Health Care Centers of Greater Los Angeles, Chief Administrative Officer for Outpatient Clinics of Orthopedic Hospital, and others. He was on the writing team for California’s Long Term Care Reform Act. John is a graduate of the University of Southern California with a J.D. degree from the Gould School of Law and a B.A in political science.