National Health Center Week provides the chance to show our support

National Health Center Week has been going strong 30-plus years now, and this year it runs from Aug. 9-15. Here’s the perfect opportunity to learn more about the valuable work done by these organizations, and how you can lend a hand in your community!

Health centers are a various and diverse group of organizations, ranging from Community clinics to Public Housing Health Centers and health outreach programs for the homeless. What they all have in common is a tireless initiative to provide basic, high-quality health care to the most vulnerable people.

Health centers provide care and services to more than 23 million people a year. These folks are, by and large, impoverished, uninsured and/or live in areas without sufficient doctors or hospitals. Health centers provide indispensable services, and they also are part of the community fabric. Almost every day, and for long hours, they are offering prenatal care, flu shots, immunizations, emergency care, treatment programs for victims of HIV/AIDS, recovery meetings for alcoholics and addicts, and so much more. These centers are also responsible for research and public education, and their staff also advocate locally, regionally and nationally, bringing awareness to the plight of the poor and underserved in our communities.

Since passage of the Affordable Care Act, federal funding for health centers has increased, and the numbers of uninsured in many communities have dropped. This is good news. However, health centers are still very much subject to constricted budgets, and there are still plenty of people falling through the healthcare cracks, and so centers need all the support we can give.

There are a variety of outreach programs going on in August at shelters around the country. Find out what is being done at your local health center, your homeless shelter and your public schools to raise money and awareness.

Sponsorship can be a great area for promotion and funding of public health centers. These partnership opportunities between the private and non-profit sectors promote the broadest possible outreach as well as providing diverse pools for fundraising. Do you have a health center you think deserves contributions from local or national businesses? Or would you like to see your company donate its brand and name to community health initiatives? Get in touch with your local center — they will be thrilled to hear from you!