A full circle journey with Share Ourselves
Daniel Cortes remembers his first encounter with Share Ourselves vividly. As a young boy, his family relied on the food pantry in Costa Mesa for necessities. “We would get food and supplies that we couldn’t afford otherwise,” Daniel recalls. What was once a lifeline for his family has now come full circle—today, Daniel serves as a board member of the same organization that once supported his family.
Daniel’s story of service and community didn’t start in the boardroom. “I’ve been involved in the community in Santa Ana since I was 12,” he shares. “I’ve always tried to be part of the movement for various issues we saw growing up in our neighborhood.” His passion for community work led him to serve as a youth organizer and later, as a volunteer and contractor for different organizations including Latino Health Access.
Bridging Gaps in the Community
As a kid, Daniel’s family never used the Share Ourselves health services. When he joined the board this year, he was surprised to see that Share Ourselves has expanded to eight locations. He remembers his parents reminding him not to get sick as a child because they couldn’t afford healthcare. Looking back, Daniel remarked what a difference it would have made for his family to use the health services Share Ourselves provides.
This topic is deeply personal for Daniel. Two years ago, his father passed away from cancer—a heartbreaking loss compounded by the challenges of navigating the healthcare system. “My dad didn’t have full access to healthcare. His [oncological] doctors would change frequently and there was often a language barrier,” Daniel shares. “He didn’t understand everything they were telling him, and that made him hesitant to seek care.”
It’s stories like these that remind us why Share Ourselves is so critical. While Share Ourselves doesn’t offer oncology services, we are here to help patients throughout their entire health journey, whether in the form of patient education or connecting patients with specialists. We offer more than just medical care—we offer connection, understanding, and compassion. For families like Daniel’s, having a place where doctors speak their language and understand their cultural needs can be the difference between seeking care and avoiding it altogether.
For Daniel today, Share Ourselves represents more than just the food pantry. It’s a beacon of hope for the broader struggles families face, such as healthcare access and overcoming language and cultural barriers. “Share Ourselves narrows down the gaps in the community,” Daniel explains. “Yes, it started with the food pantry, but the need goes beyond that—healthcare access, for instance, is a huge gap in underserved communities.”
“When you go to a clinic and the staff speak your language or are culturally aware of your background, it makes a big difference. That’s what Share Ourselves offers—a connection to the community.”
At Share Ourselves, we don’t just treat symptoms—we treat people. We address the whole person, knowing that aspects like language, culture, and economic instability all play a part in someone’s well-being. The level of service and care offered by Share Ourselves today can benefit so many in the community who are apprehensive about healthcare.
Paying it Forward
Daniel’s personal experiences fuel his desire to ensure that others don’t face the same challenges. As a board member, he brings a unique perspective shaped by both his own history and his continued work in the community. As Share Ourselves continues to grow, Daniel is optimistic about the organization’s future and the potential to expand its impact. “There are big things coming for Share Ourselves,” he says. “We’re opening new locations and expanding services, but we’re also staying focused on being aware of our community and its needs. That’s what makes Share Ourselves special.”
As we look toward the future, we’re filled with hope—because of leaders like Daniel, and because of supporters like you. Your contributions help ensure that no one in our community has to face the hardships of healthcare and food insecurity alone. Together, we’re closing gaps, building bridges, and creating brighter futures for families throughout Orange County.