Patch: VHC Health Provides Support For Arlington's Underserved Population
More than 400 people received holiday gifts as part of VHC Health's annual Adopt a Family Gift Drive.
By Michael O'Connell, Patch Staff
ARLINGTON, VA — Over the recent holiday season, more than 400 people received gifts as part of the Virginia Health Center's Adopt a Family Gift Drive.
The program provided gifts for 231 children in 66 local families plus another 100 individuals who might have otherwise gone without during the holidays. More than 70 groups organized by high school students donated 142 stockings fi lled with small gifts. Over 300 gifts were donated as part of that effort.
"We serve local Arlington residents, adult patients, and about 99 percent of them are completely uninsured," said Megan Canote, VHC Health's patient care director. "A small portion have Medicaid or Medicare, but they're really the most underserved patients in Arlington."
The first time a patient visits VHC Health's outpatient care center, they undergo a social determinants of health screening to evaluate their needs and what types of assistance they may require.
"Almost every single patient screens high for food assistance," Canote said. "That's number one. Any patient that screens high, gets an appointment with our case manager before they leave the clinic. It's not a separate visit. We make sure they're seen that day."
The case manager helps patients access the services they may require though Arlington County, the clinic, or out it the community.
While the annual gift drive has been around for about 10 years, Canote has only been overseeing it for the last three years.
"I took responsibility for it when I joined here, but responsibility easily became a passion when you just see how the gift drive really changes the lives of people," she said. "It gives them some dignity around the celebration of the holiday season. For the kids, it's just so transformative when you see that someone picked out a gift that they asked for, and it is something special for them, but they just don't get often."
The annual gift drive is just one of VHC Health's charity programs that directly support families and individuals in need across the DMV.
Working with the VHC Health Foundation, VHC Health raised about $58,000 as part of its annual Bingo for a Cause event. Those funds go directly to underserved women who come to the VHC outpatient clinic for health screenings.
"They also help with transportation barriers our patients have," Canote said. "Oftentimes, a lot of women feel that they need to choose between that $300 grocery bill for the month or their health screenings. It's really important, because the screenings are key to early detection, and early detection saves lives."
Other VHC Health initiatives include the APCD Council Lentil-A-Hand Food Drive, which collects and distributes food to area households and the Clinical Tech Committee Winter Wear Drive, ensuring neighbors have warm clothing and coats for the winter months.
Currently, VHC Health is collaborating with the PathForwardhomelessness services organization to collect adult outerwear, from light fl eece to heavy winter coats. Donation boxes are located near the main hospital entrance and outside the hospital cafeteria until Jan. 30.
"Anytime someone wants to donate warm gloves, warm boots, warm winter coats, we accept those at all times, throughout the year," Canote said. "A lot of times, we would love to have gently used items. But if there's an opportunity for someone to provide a brand new item, that's always ideal. I just like to think about it as an opportunity to serve someone's dignity and respect."
