When Jimena Perez walked into the Neighborhood Christian Clinic eight weeks ago, she admits she was shy. A dental-assisting student at Phoenix College, Jimena was assigned to the Clinic for her externship—a requirement for graduation in December. What she found here would become far more than a box to check.
“We were told we’d mostly be shadowing,” she said. “But here, I actually got to do so much. Impressions, sterilization, fillings, dentures—real hands-on learning. Other places won’t let you do that. Everyone here trusted me to learn.”
From the start, the Clinic’s team—Blanca, Jackie, Jenny, Dr. Victor, and Dr. Allison—made her feel welcome. Their patience and openness turned intimidation into confidence. “They kept saying, ‘There are no dumb questions.’ That made it a safe space to learn,” Jimena said.
But what surprised her most wasn’t technical—it was spiritual.
“Before, I always said I didn’t have time to pray or read the Bible. I was too busy studying. But the morning and afternoon devotions here make you pause—and realize you can make time. Hearing others share their thoughts really gets you thinking. It helped me reconnect with my faith.”
Jimena has also witnessed how prayer transforms patient care. “Dr. Victor and Dr. Allison pray with patients. They ask, ‘Is there anything you’d like us to pray about?’ It changes everything. Patients feel seen—not just as someone needing a filling, but as a whole person.”
One patient story stands out. A woman came in with severe tooth sensitivity caused by poorly fitted crowns done abroad. “She told us the work was done in someone’s garage,” Jimena recalled. “When we showed her the X-rays, she almost cried. She didn’t have the money to fix everything, but we walked her through a plan—step by step—and she said, ‘That’s manageable.’ She was so grateful.”
Moments like that confirmed what Jimena already felt: this is where she belongs. “I told Blanca, ‘You’re not getting rid of me!’” she laughed. “I’d love to come back and volunteer—or even work here someday. The people here pulled me out of my shell.”
For Jimena, the Neighborhood Christian Clinic became more than a place to train—it became a place of transformation.
And for every donor who keeps the lights on, provides supplies, and makes those hands-on experiences possible, her gratitude runs deep.
“You’re helping students like me learn to serve—and helping patients get care they can afford. Thank you for making this place possible.”