When rising high school juniors Sophie Martin and Akshay Sharma saw an opportunity to make healthcare resources more accessible in their community, they didn’t wait for someone else to step in.
Instead, the two students created Project FairCare Health, a nonprofit focused on connecting Orange County residents with free healthcare services, screenings and information through community healthcare fairs.
Through their work, Sophie, a student at Corona del Mar High School in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, and Akshay, a student at Beckman High School in the Tustin Unified School District, have helped bring critical health resources directly to community members who may otherwise face barriers to accessing care.
The Daily Pilot reported that the healthcare fairs have provided services including dental screenings, blood pressure checks, blood sugar tests, cancer screenings, vision screenings, electrocardiograms and doctor consultations — all at no cost to families, seniors and teenagers.
Since launching the initiative, the students have hosted four fairs that have served more than 1,200 community members and saved participants an estimated $74,820 through the services provided.
Project FairCare Health focuses on public health education, helping California residents — particularly those who are uninsured or underinsured — better understand available resources and common health screenings. The idea for Project FairCare Health began through the Dragon Kim Foundation, an organization designed to empower young people to develop projects that create positive change in their communities.
While the nonprofit has recently received grant funding, Sophie and Akshay said the initiative has largely grown through community partnerships, donations and organizations willing to support their mission. Their healthcare fairs have featured partners including CalOptima Health, Western Dental and Alinea Medical Imaging.
For the students, the most meaningful part of the work has been seeing the personal connections they’ve built with community members and witnessing the impact of bringing healthcare resources directly to those who need them.
At a recent fair, Sophie said she was reminded of the relationships that have grown through Project FairCare Health.
“When we first walked in today, one of the ladies recognized me and she hugged me,” Sophie told the Daily Pilot. “We’ve kind of built a connection there. It’s really great.”
Here are the other stories we’ve been following this week:
- Twelve Orange County high school alumni were selected in the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft earlier this month, continuing a strong tradition of local talent reaching the professional level.
- OCDE is set to host the AI Forward Summit on Aug. 3, bringing together educators, industry leaders and community partners to discuss emerging AI opportunities, instruction and strategies for preparing students for the future.
- The No Kid Hungry national campaign recently selected Edgar Manalo, Fullerton Joint Union High School District’s director of business services, as one of 10 members nationwide to join the Summer EBT Champion Network to expand access to meals and benefits for students.
- A yearlong literacy fellowship hosted by OCDE’s Educational Services division recently launched with summer training designed to support educators in strengthening literacy instruction.
- More than 2,300 educators gathered for the California Multi-Tiered System of Supports Institute to learn strategies for building systems that support students’ needs with valuable insight from keynote speakers including Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, California’s former surgeon general.
- On the latest episode of the FutureCurrent podcast, former NFL linebacker Marvin Smith reflects on how his experiences as a professional athlete and educator shaped his approach to leading with purpose and creating positive opportunities for young people.
- A recent Stanford University research report placed a spotlight on Gilbert High School in the Anaheim Union High School District for its innovative approaches to increasing graduation rates and promoting civic participation among its alternative education students.
- The Orange County Department of Education’s fiscal crisis and management assistance team will conduct an independent review of Laguna Beach Unified School District’s financial records following concerns raised by community members, according to the Orange County Register.
- New data shows California students are displaying progress in their reading scores, with researchers and education leaders examining factors contributing to improved literacy outcomes.
- Orange County Register reported that an Orange County Board of Education trustee failed to properly disclose millions of dollars in assets and income, according to a ruling from the Orange County Superior Court.
- A new feature from The LA Local examined the history and lasting impact of Mendez v. Westminster, the landmark 1947 case that challenged student segregation in Orange County schools.
- Vanguard Law Magazine recently featured Orange County Department of Education General Counsel Gregory Rolen, highlighting his role in providing legal guidance to support the agency’s mission of serving students and schools.
- Beginning in 2027, California public school teachers will be eligible to receive paid pregnancy leave under a new law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, according to the Los Angeles Times.
- EdSource reported that school board members in dozens of California school districts will receive increased compensation following new legislation allowing districts to raise stipends for elected trustees.
This is the part where we encourage you to keep up with local education news stories by bookmarking the OCDE Newsroom, subscribing for emailed updates and following us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.