It’s not often Hollywood stars pay a visit to a Community Health Center — but the dazzling Jessica Alba, Regina King, and Keri Russell wanted to get a first-hand account about the struggles families face in getting affordable health care. 

Children’s Defense Fund President Marian Wright Edelman and Michelle Fenty, attorney and Washington, DC, First Lady, were also there during the visit Thursday, May 7.

Unity Health Care, Inc. in Washington, D.C. and the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF)  co-hosted the visit at the Unity Health Care Upper Cardozo Clinic in Columbia Heights, just a few short miles from the White House.  The stars met with children at  clinic and held a roundtable discussion.  The women later met  with White House administrators and Congressional leaders on Capitol Hill to share the stories they learned. 

“In 2008, more than 81,000 residents of the District received health and social services at Unity Health Care, nearly 19% were children under the age of eighteen,” said Vincent A. Keane, Unity Health Care’s President & CEO.  

Photos of the visit were taken by local photographer Jeff Martin.