Sarasota, Fla., August 9, 2021 – CenterPlace Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center that provides high-quality, low-cost health care to Sarasota County families, today announced the receipt of a $50,000 grant from the COVID-19 Response Initiative. This joint philanthropic initiative, a collaboration between the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation and Gulf Coast Community Foundation, was created in response to the pandemic and ensures the well-being of our region. “We are so grateful for this collaboration as it shows the impact that can be made when our community comes together,” said Melissa Parker, CEO of CenterPlace Health. “It fills a critical funding gap and will enable us to utilize our mobile units to get COVID-19 vaccinations to the underserved residents of Sarasota County through the Shots in Arms Initiative.” The COVID-19 Response Initiative was designed to adapt and evolve as communities move from response to recovery and eventually rebuilding. With the new surge in cases this relief is more important than ever to make sure vaccinations are readily available and easy to access.
The receipt of the grant coincides with National Health Center Week, which takes place August 9 – 14. It is a time when local officials and organizations are invited to invest in and support the Community Health Center in their neighborhood and celebrate their mission and accomplishments. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Community Health Centers (CHCs) have been key to ensuring everyone can access affordable, quality healthcare during and beyond the pandemic. They are locally run yet part of a national network serving almost 30 million people nation-wide. CenterPlace Health is not an ordinary medical clinic; they are also problem-solvers who reach beyond the exam room to care for the whole person by providing access to necessities like food and housing resources. CenterPlace Health cares for everyone, regardless of insurance status.
About CenterPlace Health
CenterPlace Health’s mission drives the work that they do to provide high-quality, low-cost health care. The mission of CenterPlace Health is to provide efficient and effective delivery of quality, affordable health services to a diverse population in a compassionate and caring manner. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, CenterPlace Health is committed to addressing the whole patient through primary care, dental care, and integrated behavioral health services at six locations throughout Sarasota County. Learn more at CenterPlaceHealth.org. About Gulf Coast Community Foundation For more than 25 years, together with our donors, Gulf Coast Community Foundation has transformed our region through bold and proactive philanthropy. Gulf Coast is a public charity that was created in 1995 through the sale of the Venice Hospital. Since then, we have become the philanthropic home of nearly 1,000 families, individuals, businesses, and organizations that have established charitable funds here. Together, we have invested over $425 million in grants
in the areas of health and human services, civic and economic development, education, arts and culture, and the environment. Learn more at GulfCoastCF.org.