Azania Herron, for LISC
980-272-1804
aherron@zajapr.com
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (March 27) — Care Ring, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing health services for the uninsured, underinsured or those lacking access to affordable, high-quality preventive health care, has received a $200,000 grant from the Health Access Fund of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), a community development financial institution that supports community development initiatives across the country.
In partnership with Uber, PayPal and Walgreens, LISC created the Health Access Fund to advance health equity by addressing transportation barriers to accessing health care and other essential services. Care Ring is one of 21 community-based organizations to receive a grant through the Health Access Fund, which aims to reduce health disparities in underserved communities, particularly for people of color living on low incomes. Care Ring will use the grant award to help transport patients and clients to health-related appointments via rides with Uber Health.
“Sometimes, all you need is a ride. It’s just that simple. As a trusted community-based organization, we have a deepened understanding of the barriers that often prevent our most vulnerable patients from accessing health care. Transportation is often one of the most common found. We are grateful for LISC’s acknowledgement and responsiveness to this need, and happily welcome this new partnership opportunity. We are confident that the impact of this joint venture will be immediate and powerful for our patients,” said Tchernavia Montgomery, Executive Director at Care Ring.
“We have had the pleasure of working with Care Ring to access funding and strengthen the excellent work they are leading in providing accessible health care and health-related services for those with lower incomes,” said Ralphine Caldwell, Executive Director of LISC Charlotte. “Care Ring has and continues to offer thoughtful, pertinent and accessible services that are critical to an individual's quality of life. We appreciate this partnership in building a community where everyone can live well.”
Care Ring provides access to comprehensive healthcare services for low-income, under/uninsured Mecklenburg County residents through its Access to Care and Maternal-Child Health programs, including preventive care, specialty care, nurse home visitation, and community health worker support. Central to Care Ring’s success is its attention to Social Determinants of Health, which are socio-economic factors (food/housing insecurity, financial stability, safety, education, and transportation/language barriers, etc.) that are typically outside the scope of care for most clinical providers. The organization’s multidisciplinary and multicultural care team screen and assess the patients/clients they serve and refer those with exceptional healthcare and/or socio-economic needs for case management interventions.
LISC recognizes and takes aim at structural racism and related barriers to health equity as a core part of its comprehensive community development work. By addressing transportation barriers through the Health Access Fund, patients and clients will now have improved access to Care Ring healthcare services and activities that address social determinants of their health, building a more resilient and inclusive community of opportunity in Charlotte.
Care Ring works to empower individuals with limited resources to establish and maintain good health. Today, Care Ring leads a collaborative effort to meet the changing health care needs of our community and works to ensure that all members of the community have access to affordable, high-quality and timely healthcare. Care Ring improves access to quality healthcare services, implements evidenced-based programs, and leverages community partnerships to build a continuum of public health services for our community. Care Ring’s four service lines are the Low-Cost Clinic, Physicians Reach Out, Nurse-Family Partnership, and A Guided Journey. For more information, visit careringnc.org
Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) committed to comprehensive community development, including investing capital and resources into small businesses, economic development, affordable housing, health & safety, sports & recreation, and education, as well as building the capacity of non-profit partners. Since opening its office in March 2019, LISC Charlotte has invested over $60M in Charlotte in partnership with the city, philanthropic leaders, corporations, community residents and organizations.