Realizing there was a lack of resources, this first generation of HAVEN planners mobilized school and community resources to lay the financial foundation for a completely free clinic based at the Fair Haven Community Health Center. The founders never had the chance to see their plan take flight, however. Due to stricter student schedules and upcoming board examinations, they had to leave their project to their underclassmen successors.

The second group of organizers stabilized the financial situation and finally opened the clinic doors in November 2005. "I remember we only had two visitors that first day," remarks Sara. "We were so excited, since some people had doubts that this would actually work." Now in its third generation of coordinators, HAVEN regularly sees some 200-250 patients per term, with an average of 10-15 visitors each Saturday.

The advent of a free clinic was well received, given that HAVEN’s clients are among the most vulnerable in the country. Many earn barely enough to survive, and some are homeless or mentally unstable. In addition, more than three-quarters of the patients speak only Spanish, with the majority of them being undocumented immigrants. Their universal common factor is a lack of health insurance. Thus, it is unsurprising that one of their top five diagnoses is depression. Forced by desperation to leave their families and homes, such individuals must overcome language and social barriers while braving harsh working circumstances. Many have been victimized repeatedly, and suffer from ailments usually caused by poor living conditions: diabetes, hypertension, hyper cholesterol, gastrointestinal stress disorders, and tuberculosis. Many have not seen a doctor in a decade. Others have never seen a doctor. These patients come to HAVEN with a combination of diseases, many left untreated for years.