By Liz Ferrell, Development & Community Relations Specialist
HOPE Family Health is celebrating National Health Center Week this week and we invite you to join us – there’s something new every day! In line with the 2024 theme of “Powering Communities Through Caring Connections,” HOPE is partnering with several community nonprofit agencies starting Monday, August 5, and going through this Friday, August 9, to share resources beyond healthcare.
Food Drive: August 5-6
On Monday and Tuesday, August 5-6, HOPE will partner with Feed Sumner and Macon Helps to observe “Healthcare for the Homeless” and “Agricultural Worker Appreciation Day.” HOPE Westmoreland and HOPE Gallatin are collecting pop-top canned soups and other meals as well as canned green beans and corn to benefit Feed Sumner, while HOPE Westside, located in Macon County, is collecting canned goods and other nonperishable food items for Lafayette-based Macon Helps.
“We are grateful to HOPE for partnering with Feed Sumner for National Health Center Week to raise awareness about the issue of food insecurity,” said Daniel Stephens, Director of Community Ministry for Feed Sumner. “One out of every eight Tennesseans struggles with reliable access to food.
Our key partner, Second Harvest of Middle Tennessee, has reported that over 17,000 people in Sumner County, including 3,000 children, are facing food insecurity.”
Mobile American Jobs Center and Free Goodies: August 7
As part of “Patient Appreciation Day” on Wednesday, August 7, HOPE Westmoreland will host the Mobile American Jobs Centers, a resource both for those seeking employment and for area businesses seeking to recruit qualified candidates to employ. A mobile unit will be stationed in the front parking lot at HOPE Westmoreland from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The caravan contains a computer lab with copy machine and internet access and two MAJC staff will be available to help the public.
“We offer guidance for resume building, interview skills, and help with hunting for jobs and filling out applications on-line,” said Amy Gatlin, Mobile AJC Middle Tennessee Lead. “We also encourage area business leaders to stop by to learn about the services we offer employers. We can help with recruitment, job fairs, workshops, and more. We encourage area business owners to come learn about the services we offer.”
As another expression of appreciation, HOPE will offer popcorn, fresh fruit, cereal bars and bottled water to patients at all three HOPE locations throughout the day on Wednesday, August 7.
Partner Appreciation: August 5-9
Finally, HOPE has chosen to celebrate Thursday’s theme, “Partner/Stakeholder Appreciation Day” throughout the week by having video and print promotional materials available in each of its lobbies. HOPE will showcase the work of such community partners as Highpoint Health – Sumner with Ascension St. Thomas, Macon Community Hospital, Sumner, Macon and Trousdale County Health Departments, local UT Extension offices, and other community resource agencies, providing information on upcoming events and raising awareness of available services in the area.
“Food, housing insecurity, and unemployment are some health-related social needs that impact HOPE patients,” said Jenny Dittes, HOPE’s CEO. “While HOPE does not provide these services directly, we understand their impact and we are proud to work with Feed Sumner, Macon Helps, Mobile American Job Centers and other area partners to help address these issues.”
“HOPE also enjoys excellent professional relationships with other area health care providers and health departments,” she added. “Thanks to these partners, HOPE can ensure our patients have access to specialized services – whether it be a need for follow-up with more specialized or acute care, or something outside HOPE’s direct scope of services that HOPE provides through referral, such as dental care, immunizations, or maternal care.”
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