Century Health And Hope Clinic Shuts Down Due To Lack Of Funding

October 1, 2015

The Health and Hope Clinic in Century closed Wednesday due to a lack of funding, leaving the medically needy in the Century area with little, or perhaps no, access to health care.

“It’s a sad, sad day for the area,” Bob Greene, Health and Hope board of directors member, said. “We hope and pray that this is temporary, but we just don’t have the funding to keep it open at this time and help those inneed in the area. That was our mission. We have high hopes that we can return.”

The Health and Hope Clinic opened in October 2011  in the old Escambia County Health Department building at 501 Church Street in Century. It was the second location for the clinic, which was first established in Pensacola back in 2003 by the Pensacola Bay Baptist Association to meet the needs of uninsured and medically underserved in Escambia County. The clinic was entirely volunteer and donor supported.

Sara Davey, also a member of the Health and Hope board, said the group needs about $30,000 in donations to operate the Century clinic for one year.

“We also had problems getting medical professionals willing to volunteer their time in Century,” she said, “mostly because of the time and distance. At times, we had to pay a provider for Century.” The Pensacola Health and Hope Clinic still relies on volunteer doctors, nurse practitioners and other licensed professionals.

Billy Ward of Bogia volunteered several years at the Century Health and Hope Clinic where part of his volunteer job was tracking services provided. The Century Clinic saw 317 patient/provider visits in 2013, 501 in 2014 and had recorded 354 patient visits for 2015 through Wednesday, he said.

“We were able to see a lot of people with a real need,” Ward added.

Century Health and Hope patients will be able to receive services from the Pensacola clinic by appointment. For more information, patients should call (850) 479-4456.

“But I am really worried about some of them. They could barely find transportation to get here (to Century),” Ward said. “I don’t know how they are going to get to Pensacola.”

NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

19 Responses to “Century Health And Hope Clinic Shuts Down Due To Lack Of Funding”

  1. David Huie Green on October 3rd, 2015 8:53 pm

    REGARDING:
    “If Methodist, Baptist, Pentecostal and others worked together to do the work of the Lord, what a miracle that would be to HIS glory!”

    Only if they were working toward the same goal.

    They aren’t.

    The ones preaching salvation by works are opposing the concept of salvation by faith.
    Within the salvation by works group, the proper works requirement is in dispute.
    Thus, each teaches what the other believes would result in nonsalvation and an eternity in Hell.

    And there is the “it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you’re sincere” group.
    They reject the teachings of Christ by their Many Paths To Salvation theology.

    Better to just help the needy and don’t expect total unity elsewhere.

    David for fewer fights

  2. Sara Davy on October 3rd, 2015 9:53 am

    Thank you for the article and all of the interest from the public! To volunteer or give and learn more about what we do please go to healthandhopeclinic.org. Donating is easy and if you want to volunteer, there is a small questionnaire to fill out. Share this with your friends!

  3. Joel M on October 3rd, 2015 9:44 am

    After reading this I had a thought! So many people have said they would help with money or services if they knew of a need.
    What if all of these good people that want to help attended a church?
    What if the local churches shared community needs?
    We would have no government involvement or control and people would get faith based medical attention they need.
    If Methodist, Baptist, Pentecostal and others worked together to do the work of the Lord, what a miracle that would be to HIS glory!

  4. Paramedic on October 2nd, 2015 6:32 pm

    I had no idea this clinic ever existed. I am a paramedic and live in Century. If the clinic has any chance to survive I would love to be part of that. What can I do to help? Is it too late? I am available Wednesdays and most weekends. My phone number is 954-298-3850.

  5. Tax Payer on October 2nd, 2015 12:58 pm

    People, lets forget about all of the Political issues and pointing fingers, people are in need of some type of health care. I think from what I read most people have a solution to the problem!!!! there are a lot of Organizations out there that if approached will help with the needed donations. The key word is approached and request for help, and I believe the problem will be solved!! complaining about politics isn’t helping anyone, it just adds to the problem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  6. june capps on October 2nd, 2015 6:36 am

    Thanks everyone for the great praise. We have a free things we are working on to keep the clinic going. Ray’s Chapel volunteers,Walnut Hill Bsptist, Grace Baptist, and anyone I forgot thank you greatly. We do it to serve and obey God’s command to take care of His people. What we need most is medical trained volunteers. This will cut down greatly on our cost.

  7. Tom on October 1st, 2015 8:48 pm

    This is a truly sad day indeed, I have been to the clinic on and off since it opened and have always been treated with the kindest best of care I could expect. The services offered there were above and beyond and I pray that the more needy and disabled patients will be okay on their own with health care like this no longer available in Century. With health care cost as high as they are in this Country I fear some of the people that went to this clinic may go untreated. I will pray that the good people in our community find a way to keep Health And Hope in Century.

  8. sharon on October 1st, 2015 5:58 pm

    I have been blessed to be a patient there for a year now. I have never been treated better or seen nicer people anywhere else ive been. Like every other patient I dont know what I will do but I will pray n trust in the Lord. God bless you all for everything you’ve done for me.

  9. No Excuses on October 1st, 2015 5:58 pm

    Or, if 1000 people gave just $30 each, the clinic could be funded for a year. Or, $60 each, it could be funded for two years. How about fund raising activities? Ideas anyone? I’ll help!

  10. Susan Helton on October 1st, 2015 2:37 pm

    I will be happy to donate $30 a month every month. And if someone will contact me I will be glad to volunteer there as well my number is 251-428-0329

  11. Patsy Green on October 1st, 2015 12:51 pm

    Thank you Darlene. I will match your donation. I have volunteered at the clinic since it opened and have given $20.00 a month this year. I can go another $10.00. Also, we are in need of more volunteers, especially medically trained volunteers. Our hours were Wednesdays 9:00 a.m. to 1:00p.m. The current volunteers are agreed that we could change to another day or to afternoon or evening hours if that would be better for new volunteers.

  12. mick on October 1st, 2015 12:10 pm

    Well elected officials, what are you going to do about this? your constituents are in need…

  13. darlene chavers on October 1st, 2015 12:09 pm

    correction to my last email. we would only need 84 people giving $30.00 per month to keep the clinic open.

  14. darlene chavers on October 1st, 2015 11:49 am

    i am pledging $30.00 a month and challenge all Christians to help the needy, children, widows, and families in this area of our community. if we can get 1,000 persons to pledge than the clinic can stay open by the power of God and not the government. Pray about it and do as the Lord leads you.

  15. JW on October 1st, 2015 9:59 am

    Surely there are some benevolent groups in Escambia County that could help fund this clinic. I’m sure there are some “retired” physicians that could help also. Spread the word.

  16. MQ on October 1st, 2015 9:57 am

    Honest John – I completely agree with you.

    If they offered abortions, they would be completely funded in a heartbeat by the government and others who saw the “need”. Just sayin’.

    In agreement with Bob Cummings “The congregation at Rays Chapel Baptist Church in McDavid, along with a few others, should be recognized for their faithful service in volunteering their time to serve the community by running the Clinic since it’s inception. God bless them all” Thank You one and all for your service!

  17. Carly on October 1st, 2015 8:22 am

    This makes me very sad. People in north Escambia County need medical attention and most cannot afford the insurance doctors’ offices need. How in the world are they going to get transportation to Pensacola to that clinic? Makes me very sad….

  18. Bob Cummings on October 1st, 2015 8:12 am

    It’s truly a sad day that the Clinic is having to close. It has provided a much needed service for the residents of the area . Possibly the Escambia County Commissioners could find some grant funds to keep it open. It seems like the North End of the Country always gets the short end of the stick.

    The congregation at Rays Chapel Baptist Church in McDavid, along with a few others, should be recognized for their faithful service in volunteering their time to serve the community by running the Clinic since it’s inception. God bless them all.

  19. Honest John on October 1st, 2015 5:45 am

    It’s amazing we always have millions to send to other countries in the world , but we always fall short right here at home.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News