Neighbor News
Breaking Barriers to Care: How Legacy Community Health Is Transforming Houston Neighborhoods
Legacy Community Health improves access and equity through school clinics, maternal care, Food Rx, and more, building healthier communities.
From school campuses and underserved neighborhoods to virtual visits and even patients’ kitchen tables, community health centers are transforming the future of care. During National Health Center Week (August 3–9, 2025), Legacy Community Health is proud to spotlight how this work comes to life across Houston and Southeast Texas.
In the past year, Legacy served nearly 200,000 patients, including more than 77,000 pediatric patients and nearly 33,000 OB/GYN patients. The organization is also expanding access with new clinics in Pasadena, Acres Homes, and a school-based site at YES Prep Hobby Secondary, reinforcing its long-term commitment to health equity.
Programs Making a Difference
Growth and Expansion
Legacy is opening new full-service clinics in Pasadena and Acres Homes, along with a school-based clinic at YES Prep Hobby Secondary and YES Prep Hobby Elementary. These projects strengthen Legacy’s commitment to bringing care directly into the communities that need it most.
Find out what's happening in Midtown Houstonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Health Navigators & Eligibility Specialists
Legacy’s bilingual Health Navigators and Eligibility Specialists help patients apply for Medicaid, CHIP, ACA plans, or Legacy’s Sliding Fee Scale. They assist with benefit renewals, lab results, referrals, and MyChart setup—breaking down language, paperwork, and access barriers so patients stay connected to care.
HIV/STI Testing & Prevention
Legacy offers judgment-free HIV/STI services, including free or low-cost testing, full STI panels, and access to PrEP for HIV prevention. Services are available in clinics and through mobile outreach events. Spanish-speaking staff and Eligibility Specialists ensure culturally competent care and reduce barriers to treatment.
Find out what's happening in Midtown Houstonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Little Readers
Legacy’s Little Readers program promotes early literacy by giving children ages 6 months to 12 years a free book and a “prescription to read” at every well-child visit. Since 2015, nearly 300,000 books have been distributed. Cozy Little Readers Corners in waiting rooms make reading an integral part of pediatric care.
Maternal and Postpartum Programs
Legacy supports patients during pregnancy and early parenting with services like free walk-in pregnancy testing, prenatal navigation, birth planning, and lactation support. Certified consultants and bilingual baby showers connect families to Medicaid, parenting resources, and car seat safety education. Behavioral health referrals, postpartum screenings, and trauma-informed care ensure families feel supported emotionally and medically.
This year, World Breastfeeding Week (August 1–7) coincides with National Health Center Week, highlighting the importance of breastfeeding as part of maternal and child health. Legacy’s lactation consultants provide education and hands-on support to help families meet their feeding goals.
Nutrition Support
Through the Food Rx program, Legacy helps patients managing chronic conditions or facing food insecurity access fresh produce. In partnership with the Houston Food Bank, patients receive “prescriptions” for fruits and vegetables redeemable at Food for Change markets, combined with nutrition education to support better health outcomes.
Pharmacy
Legacy’s full-service pharmacies offer free prescription delivery, medication syncing, immunizations, and counseling to help patients manage their treatments. With in-house compounding and medication therapy management, Legacy pharmacies provide personalized support and fund critical community programs.
School-Based Health Care
Legacy operates 37 clinics on school campuses across Greater Houston, providing convenient access to medical, dental, and behavioral health care for students. These clinics remove barriers like transportation and missed class time, helping students stay healthy and succeed in school. In the past year, Legacy completed 72,911 appointments for 13,854 students, making a measurable difference in student health.
Driving Healthy Change
As Legacy celebrates National Health Center Week, the organization reaffirms its mission to meet people where they are—with care that is high-quality, accessible, and rooted in community. Whether through a school clinic, mobile outreach, or programs like Food Rx, Legacy continues to break down barriers and drive healthy change for all.
For more information on Legacy’s services or how we’re celebrating National Health Center Week, visit www.legacycommunityhealth.org.
