Share Ourselves opens new clinic in Costa Mesa; council pays tribute to community leader Jean Forbath

Costa Mesa — Council members and staff joined a ribbon-cutting and discussed the opening of a new Share Ourselves health clinic in Costa Mesa during the May 6 meeting, and they spent substantial time honoring Jean Forbath, a longtime local nonprofit founder who died recently.

Council members described the Share Ourselves clinic as a multi-service facility offering medical exam rooms, behavioral health, dental and optometry chairs, an expanded pharmacy and dedicated care management services. Mayor Stevens and Mayor Pro Tem Manuel Chavez noted the clinic’s role as a safety-net provider serving vulnerable residents.

Council paid tribute to Jean Forbath, who helped found Share Ourselves and was a longtime advocate for low-income residents and community programs. The mayor described Forbath’s history and public service; the council showed a video of Forbath speaking about founding Share Ourselves and announced her memorial service details (May 9 at St. Simon and Jude Church, Huntington Beach at 1 p.m.). Council members said the meeting would be adjourned in her memory.

Why it matters: The opening of a community health clinic expands local access to primary, dental and behavioral-health services for uninsured or low-income residents. Forbath’s work established institutions that remain central to local social services.

Next steps: Councilmembers expressed support for Share Ourselves’ services and asked staff to note the organization’s expanded presence in Costa Mesa; no city funding decisions were announced at the meeting.