community of hope "one step closer" brochure

OneStepCloserA Campaign for Hope & Healthy Families

Supporting Families with Healthcare, Housing & Education

Washington, DC is a city with vibrant neighborhoods, a rich history, and a unique place as the

nation’s capital. Like many cities, it also has its challenges. One significant concern is the poor

health of its residents. is is particularly true east of the Anacostia River in Ward 8.

Ward 8 residents have the worst health outcomes in the District of Columbia in areas such

as deaths from hypertension and diabetes, infant mortality, teen pregnancy, and

HIV/AIDS. One reason is lack of access to healthcare. Access means having a doctor near

where you live or work, who accepts your insurance, and is available for an appointment when

you need one. Without access, many people wait until it’s too late and end up in the

emergency room. One in five DC residents do not have a regular doctor.

Community of Hope, a highly effective nonprofit whose mission is to support low-income

and homeless families in the city with healthcare, housing, and other support services,

will be a catalyst for change in Ward 8. e goal: to move the community one step closer to a

brighter, healthier future with the establishment of a new Health and Resource Center.

To achieve that goal, we need your help.

Everyone deserves access to quality healthcare for

themselves and their families.


The health statistics about Ward 8 are dire.But that’s about to change.

Ward 8 residents are predominantly African American; lack of access to primary healthcare disproportionatelyaffects African American residents. More than 35 percent of Ward 8’s residents live at or below the poverty level.

According to a recent RAND study, in Ward 8:• rates of death from diabetes and heart disease are double the rate in other parts of the city• 40 percent of pregnant women receive inadequate or no prenatal care• infant mortality is the highest in the city • the death rate from HIV/AIDS is 16 times the national average

Low-income and homeless families face challenges with things that many of us take for granted: access totransportation, nutritious food options for their family, safe housing. New research shows that high levels of stressearly in life produce physiological changes that contribute to depression, high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes.When a family’s primary focus is survival, healthcare is sacrificed.

Mrs. Green, one Community of Hope single mother, summed it up this way: “I have five children. Trying to getthem ready in the morning, make the bus, and get them across town to make a doctor’s appointment is really hard.Sometimes I don’t have enough money for the bus fare. Not having a doctor close to me is really, really tough.”

Community health centers serve as an anchor of primary care for many low-income people. at’s whyCommunity of Hope’s new Health and Resource Center is so critical. It will offer people like Mrs. Green and herfamily the resources they need to improve the quality of their lives.

Why should this matter to people who don’t live in Ward 8? “It costs all of us more as a community and anation when our neighbors develop chronic illnesses and can’t care for their families,” Community of HopeExecutive Director Kelly Sweeney McShane says. “Prevention stabilizes families and creates safercommunities.”

A Campaign for Hope & Healthy Families 3

123

4

5 67

Administrative Offices

Girard Street Apartments

Marie Reed Health Center

Family Health and Birth Center

Hope ApartmentsMississippi Avenue Apartments

Health and Resource Center, 4 Atlantic Street, SW

Northeast

Southeast

Southwest

Ward 8The statistics don’t tell the whole story.

Many families call Ward 8 home. ere aresingle-family homes, green parks, and a tenniscenter. Ward 8 is home to Bolling Anacostia JointNaval Base and the Naval Research Laboratory.Yet the community currently lacks adequateaccess to the health services it needs.

Creating a lifeline for familiesacross the city

Community of Hope has been actively expanding its services where the need is greatest.

Give now to bring us one step closer: (202) 407-7780.

One Step Closer to quality carethat puts clients first

Community of Hope is always concerned about providing the highest quality healthcare. But we areequally concerned with treating all people who come through our doors with respect. In a city wherehomeless and low-income people are often invisible, Community of Hope’s philosophy is “I see you. I care about you. You matter.”

Wynetta* came to Community of Hope after she and her young children left her abusive husband. She becamehomeless and Community of Hope helped her family find permanent housing.

During a medical check-up at Community of Hope, Wynetta was asked when she had last seen a dentist, and itwas then that her story emerged.

She admitted that her husband had hit her and knocked out her front teeth. She had gone to three other healthcenters; the estimates were too high for her to afford reconstructive dental work. “It was clear how much herappearance impacted her sense of self,” said Assata Tafari, Community of Hope’s Wellness Coordinator, who worksclosely with clients as a facilitator and advocate. “She wouldn’t smile and rarely spoke.” Wynetta was interviewingfor jobs, and it was possible that her appearance and lack of self esteem prevented her from being hired.

Wynetta saw Community of Hope’s dentist, and her prayers were answered. e dental team said that they wouldbe able to replace her teeth on a sliding scale, based on her salary when she got a job. “You could see such a bigsense of relief, a sense of hopefulness,” said Tafari.

Community of Hope’s medical team’s action was more than a medical transaction, more than simply thereplacement of teeth. It was an act of grace that restored dignity and transformed a life.

* Name changed to protect the client’s confidentiality


Community of Hope = Quality. Leadership. Integrity. Reach. Accomplishments.With its proven track record of accomplishments and its thoughtful preparation forgrowth, Community of Hope is the right organization to bring a Health andResource Center to Ward 8.

• e organization has developed a highly successful model for improving the health and quality oflife for low-income, homeless and underserved families and individuals. e family-centered modelintegrates healthcare, housing, and supportive services.

• e Marie Reed Health Center has provided more than 13,000 medical, dental and mentalhealthcare visits per year to more than 3,600 clients.

• A recent client survey showed that 98 percent of medical patients and 92 percent of dental patientswould recommend Community of Hope to their family and friends.

• Community of Hope is a Federally Qualified Health Center. We follow rigorous reporting standardsand provide services to all people regardless of their ability to pay.

• e Catalogue for Philanthropy 2011-2012 recognized Community of Hope for its excellence asone of the region’s highly effective and well managed organizations.

• Community of Hope has successfully navigated significant growth in the last five years, building upits staff and creating strong financial accountability.

• Community of Hope already has a presence in Ward 8. More than 80 percent of our housing programclients live in Ward 8. Community of Hope is proactively reaching out to community members inadvance of the facility's opening with a health fair, engagement with local congregations, and publicmeetings.

• Executive Director Kelly Sweeney McShane was the recipient of the 2009 Meyer FoundationExponent Award for her visionary nonprofit leadership.

“e�scale�of�what�you�are�doing�and�the�location�in�Ward�8�will�definitelyhave�a�significant�impact�on�families’�lives.”

—�Dionne�Brown,�ANC�Commissioner�for�Ward�8


Community of Hope’s Executive Director Kelly Sweeney McShane, left, visits our Marie Reed Health Center in Adams Morgan.

Laura Worby and Sukera Cooper

Residents of Ward 8 can now look forward to the kind of special attention andcare that Sukera Cooper has benefitted from at Commmunity of Hope’s Marie Reed Health Center.

Sukera Cooper has been coming toCommunity of Hope’s Marie Reed HealthCenter for fifteen years, since she was eightyears old. Her mom was the first to use thehealth center; now it’s a family affair.Over the years she has become particularly close to family nurse practitioner Laura Worby. Laura not only treatedSukera’s medical needs, she become a trusted mentor. “e people who work here don’t just see patients,” Sukerasays. “ey make sure that you are okay after the fact. When you come back, they speak to you about other thingsbesides your health. ey become your friends.”

Inspired by Laura’s care over the years, Sukera Cooper is pursuing a career as a nurse and continues to get careeradvice from her mentor. Laura has recommended her to serve as a board member for Community of Hope. Sukera is excited to be giving back to a health center that continues to play such an important part in her life and isequally enthusiastic that families in Ward 8 will now have a neighborhood primary care facility in their ownbackyard.

“e�most�rewarding�thing�about�my�work�is�not�only�treating�clients’�medical�issues�but�givingthem�the�tools�to�take�more�control�of�their�lives.”

—�Laura�Worby

Laura Worby has been a family nursepractitioner at Community of Hope for twelveyears. She knows first hand that quality careand acts of kindness sustain families andkeep them connected to Community of Hope. “We see people for many, many years,” she says. “We have had many loyal families and have treated grandparents,parents, teens, newborns. It’s wonderful to see people through the whole life span.”

Worby knows that quality of care is paramount. But she recognizes that Community of Hope offers somethingthat is often missing in the lives of the low-income people that they deserve: respect.

“We treat each person who walks through the door with a lot of warmth and caring. We know peoples’ names andtheir families. So many of our clients have not been treated well in interactions with other official institutions.People are happy to come to us; hopefully it helps them take better care of themselves and their families.”



“What�better�place�to�give�money�to�than�an�organization�that�isproviding�housing�assistance�and�healthcare?�It’s�a�no�brainer.�I�want�to�give�to�Community�of�Hope�so�that�they�continue�thegreat�things�that�they�do.”�

—�Client�Sukera�Cooper

A dream becomes a reality: Inside Community of Hope’s Health and Resource Center

e 50,000-square-foot Center will be located across the street from a newly-renovatedlibrary. It will be surrounded by stores, offices, and residential units, bringing a sense ofvitality and an economic boost to the community.

One of the first new health centers in Ward 8 in decades, this LEED Silver Certifiedbuilding will provide medical, dental, and behavioral health services, social services, andwellness education. Electronic health records will improve the ability to diagnose, treat,and follow-up with clients.

Visitor ExperienceVisitors will be greeted by staff at the welcome center and guided to the resources they need,such as assistance in obtaining insurance or referrals for social services.

First FloorOffering educational opportunities will be a priority at the Center. Addressing the social andeconomic factors that affect patients’ health is critical for patient success. Classes on prenatalhealth, yoga, nutrition, and life skills on subjects like budgeting or chronic diseasemanagement will be offered.

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Community of Hope’s

new Health and

Resource Center is

anticipated to open

at the end of 2012,

with groundbreaking

in Fall of 2011.


The new Health &

Resource Center will

have the following

services: primary care,

mental healthcare,

dental, chronic disease

management, prenatal,

pediatric, prevention and

education, wellness,

enrollment for social

services, and Community

of Hope administration

and social services staff

for some of our

housing programs.

Interior View View from Entry Open Work Area

Health/Dental Servicese Health and Resource Center will create a welcoming environment with 18 patientexamining rooms, a lab, and procedure rooms. Dental services, which will be found on aseparate floor, will include cleaning, xrays, fillings and dentures.

CounselingMental and behavioral health services are an important component of overall health.Community of Hope’s new facility will offer inviting, well-lit rooms for individual, child, andfamily counseling to create safe spaces for confidential discussions.

Social Services: Linking Housing Programs To HealthSince a majority of Community of Hope’s housing clients live in Wards 7 and 8, bringing thesupport services they need for healthcare, educational services, and other resources all underone roof will have a significant positive impact on their lives.

Administrative OfficesCommunity of Hope administration will maintain daily operations on the fourth floor.

At full capacity, this new facility is expected to provide:

22,000medical visits

15,000dental visits

3,500behavioral health visits


22Exam Rooms

6Full-Time Doctors

and Nurse Practitioners

11 Dental Chairs

4Dentists

6Mental Health/

Therapy Rooms

6 CommunityEducationSpaces

$25 milliontotal

-$22 millioncommitted

$3 millionneeded to reach our goal

How do we make a community feel hopeful?

We let them know people care. We treat them with respect and show them a future.

We open our doors and provide them with the highest quality care possible. We help

stabilize them with the support services and resources they need.

Your gift will provide the critical capital needed for Community of Hope to finish

renovations, to buy equipment, to begin its operations, to hire staff, and to be prepared

for the anticipated and unanticipated costs associated with the start-up of a new facility.

Give now to bring us one step closer to a brighter future for families in Ward 8.

Funding for Community of

Hope’s new Health and

Resource Center is well on its

way, with $22 million of the

$25 million needed already

committed through the

generous support of the

DC Primary Care Association,

the DC Department of Health,

and the federal government.

Your contributions and support, will bring us one step closer to:

Your donation will bring us

to help create a brighter futurefor families in Ward 8.

To contribute, visit www.communityofhopedc.org or call (202) 407-7780.


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Supporting�Families�with Healthcare,�Housing�&�Education

Our goals:

To bring a Health and Resource Center

to one of DC’s most underserved neighborhoods.

To provide the highest quality of care.

To offer comprehensive support to stabilize and strengthen families.

1717 Massachusetts Avenue, NW . Suite 805 . Washington, DC 20036 . t: (202) 407-7747 . f: (202) 232-1014 . www.communityofhopedc.org

UW#8389; CFC#37854


1717 Massachusetts Avenue, NW

Suite 805

Washington, DC 20036

t: (202) 407-7747

f: (202) 232-1014

www.communityofhopedc.org

Serving with Compassion, Integrity, & Respect. Striving for Excellence.

community of hope "one step closer" brochure

Documents

primary healthcare

percent of ward

new health

dc residents

community health centers

s residents

access totransportation

african american residents