Each August, the National Association of Community Health Centers holds National Health Center Week (NHCW) to celebrate and raise awareness of the nearly 1,500 community health centers across the country. As a community health center, this week we celebrate our staff, patients, and community members who make our work possible. Health centers provide high quality, comprehensive, and integrated preventive and primary care services to over 32 million people. Our patient-centered care is tailored to the unique needs of each community. Together, health centers are the backbone of the nation’s primary care system, saving the healthcare system money by reducing chronic disease and costly hospital visits.
Behind each service we provide are numerous stories of resilience and healing. During National Health Center Week, we’re proud to share a few of those stories that show what our mission looks like in real life.
Maternal and Child Health
Two years ago, Greater Portland Health launched our maternal health program to meet a critical need in our community. Many of our patients were facing delays of 4 to 20 weeks before receiving external prenatal care—often due to barriers like lack of insurance, housing instability, or challenges navigating the healthcare system.
Our program brings prenatal care directly into the health center, ensuring patients can access timely, high-quality care throughout their pregnancy. We care for patients up to 32 weeks pregnant, then transfer them to local hospitals for delivery, and continue care after birth with newborn and mother for primary care services.
One patient arrived in the U.S. at 16 weeks pregnant with her young child and established care with us while sleeping on the street. Within a month, we connected this patient and her family to shelter housing and began providing prenatal care. She continued visits with our provider, was transferred to the midwife team at Mercy Hospital for delivery, and gave birth to a healthy baby. Our maternal health team coordinates access to transportation, support services, and even multilingual childbirth education classes through our partners BirthRoots and Community Doulas. This patient's journey reflects the strength of our community members—and the power of care that meets them where they are.
Mobile Medical Care
At Greater Portland Health, we know that not everyone can make it to a health center. That’s why we launched our Mobile Medical Van—to bring essential healthcare services directly to individuals experiencing homelessness and housing instability. We provide primary care, vaccinations, rapid testing, and basic supplies using the van to help ensure that no one falls through the cracks.
Our outreach staff work closely with community partners like Commonspace to build trust and offer low-barrier access to care. Here’s how that approach is changing lives:
A patient who had just been released from jail encountered our van on his way to access showers at Commonspace. He shared that he needed medical care, and our team was able to complete his paperwork and get him in to see a provider the same day. Since then, he’s returned weekly to receive care and seasonal supplies. Without the van parked in his path that day, he likely wouldn’t have accessed care at all.
Another patient, chronically unhoused and seeking support to get back on his feet, connected with us outside Commonspace. In just four hours, our team helped him turn his MaineCare coverage back on, enroll in primary care, and get connected to job opportunities and housing—all in partnership with community organizations on site.
A newly unhoused and unemployed community member came to Portland in search of better support. Although she already had a primary care provider, our van staff—along with Commonspace—helped her find shelter and get connected with case management. Her journey toward stability started with a single stop at the van.
How can you help? Donate today.
Greater Portland Health provides care to everyone—regardless of insurance status. But rising costs and cuts to Medicaid are creating gaps in funding, making it harder to cover care for uninsured patients. Your donation to the Healthy Community Fund helps fill that gap—ensuring no one is turned away due to cost. This National Health Center Week, give the gift of access to care. Donate today.
Your donation to the Sunshine Fund helps meet urgent needs for patients in our community, including transportation, emergency shelter, and basic essentials. Just $25 can provide bus vouchers for 12 patients to access care. A $50 gift can supply warm hats, mittens, and socks for 10 patients living unsheltered. With $100, we can purchase vital medical equipment for two patients. A $1,000 donation can provide $50 grocery gift cards to 20 families. Every contribution brings comfort, dignity, and support to those who need it most.