Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry (GHCCM) serves the community’s most vulnerable population including those who are experiencing homelessness, living in crisis, and those who are at risk for homelessness. In addition, GHCCM focuses on improving the health of those who have no health insurance or means to secure prescriptions by providing a full-service Medical Clinic and Pharmacy.
The 2023 Impact Statement is complete. Client Services helped over 1200 clients with a total of 5,609 visits, not including Medical and Pharmacy visits. As stated by Molly Sain, Executive Director of GHCCM, “The mission of offering Hope, Help, and Healing For All, holds true as much today as it did in 1969 when the ministry was started. The ministry is grateful for the many donations of money and professional services supporting GHCCM which in turn allows us to help others. The ministry is rooted in fostering Christian values of offering love and compassion for All.”
In providing an overview of 2023, the ministry continues to offer crisis assistance, but even more importantly the ministry provides a pathway out of poverty to a life of independence. Molly continues, “GHCCM is equipped to focus on each person as an individual with individual needs by offering the following services: Free primary and specialty care for the uninsured in Catawba and Alexander counties • Free dental care including cleanings, fillings and extractions • Free vision exams and diabetic eye exams • Peer support services for those facing addiction and emotional distress • Lifesaving/life improving medications at low or no cost for qualified patients • Healthy food options and education for patients diagnosed with diabetes and hypertension • Crisis intervention services to help people stay in their homes and avoid homelessness • Utility assistance to prevent termination of lights and heat • Transportation assistance • Showers, crisis clothing closet, laundry services and mail pick-up service for those living in homelessness • Next step programs to help clients move out of the poverty cycle through education and small group sessions at the Whole Life Center.”
Highlights from 2023 include: 1,857 showers were taken, 447 shower kits were distributed, 375 loads of laundry by clients, 249 households were provided a total of $134,452.23 in rent assistance, 279 households received a total of $72,268.42 in utility assistance, $2,037.37 value in gas vouchers and car repairs and 835 bus passes were distributed.
There were 634 patients who received medical care in the Medical Clinic with a total of 5,743 on site visits, 252 new patient appointments, 1,253 telehealth appoints and 873 outside specialty referrals. The Eye clinic had 184 appointments and the dental clinic had 899 visits. The Pharmacy provides medications to 848 patients filling 16,894 prescriptions at a value of $3,446,295.00.
Nutrition Plus, a new healthy foods program paired with education, provided 138 diabetic education sessions, 91 healthy food market visits, and 135 peer support counseling sessions.
Volunteers remain vital to the ministry. There were 2,029 hours donated in the Pharmacy, 4,260 hours donated by medical providers in the Medical Clinic and 859 hours donated in client services.
GHCCM is open Monday – Thursday from 8am – 4:30 pm to serve clients in most need. GHCCM is dependent on grants and financial contributions to continue offering the wide range of support to our clients who are our most vulnerable. It is the goal of GHCCM to work together to offer stability to those in crisis. For specific hours of operation, ministry offerings and to make a donation, visit our website at www.ccmhickory.org.