A Henry County health care provider was recognized this month for its service and given a big financial boost to help it to continue serving the community.
Hands of Hope Clinic (HOH) received a $35,000 grant from the Georgia Baptist Health Care Ministry Foundation. The announcement was made February 7 at the foundation’s 14th annual Grant Award Luncheon, an event which allows “the opportunity to recognize those ministries throughout the state that have demonstrated effective and efficient direct health care services to their local communities.”
“Organizations receiving an award represent some of the most efficient ‘hands-on’ providers of health care services in the state,” according to a statement from the foundation. “They have also demonstrated excellent core competency service to those in need of health care. GBHCMF believes the Hands of Hope Clinic ministry has demonstrated an active service that aligns with the GBHCMF’s core mission to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ through the provision of direct health care services.”
The award to Hands of Hope Clinic was one of many given out at the event, HOH executive director B.J. Mathis said she and her staff were notified in December of the award.
“Since 2011 we have received almost $200,000 from that organization for the clinic,” said Mathis.
In making the grant application, Mathis and her staff specify what budgetary items the money would be used for; in this case it is program supplies, salary expenses for a clinic nurse, some utilities for the office, and maintenance of the electronic medical records system.
This award is a sizable portion of the clinic’s $487,000 budget. About 90 percent of that total is covered by various grants, according to Mathis.
Piedmont Henry Hospital, on whose grounds the clinic is located, provides $200,000 in grant money which covers salaries for three people. Another $50,000 comes from Kaiser and a total of $38,000 from three Henry County foundations. The clinic also receives $25,000 from the county through its Community Development Block Grant program.
Hands of Hope Clinic recorded more than 1,676 visits to its clinic last year and treated 642 patients, with 232 being referred out for specialty care. A total of 183 patients received dental services. Additionally, 200 mental health counseling sessions were provided.
The clinic sponsored a pair of 14-week health and wellness programs in 2018, and also provided $884,778 in free prescription medications through its Prescription Assistance Program, according to the year-end report. Through a partnership with United Way, Blacksville Red to Green initiative allowed the organization to take its services into that McDonough community.
Piedmont Henry Hospital provided $714,421 in lab and diagnostic services to Hands of Hope Clinic patients last year. The hospital has for many years been the key partner to the clinic, primarily by making available some of its office space on its main campus at almost no cost.
Hands of Hope Clinic was founded to give medical and dental care to uninsured and underinsured Henry County residents. Some 80 volunteers help make that happen every week, including a large number of doctors, dentists and nurses who contribute their services.
The Georgia Baptist Health Care Ministry has provided assistance to people in need for more than 100 years, and sees providing grant funds to nonprofit health care providers as an excellent way to fulfill its mission.
“It is the GBHCMF’s hope that these funds will help lighten the burden of those who offer health care services as well as those who ultimately receive those benefits,” an official with the organization stated.
For more information about Hands of Hope Clinic, visit hands ofhopeclinic.org
