Columbia Road Health Services

As a community and faith-based health center, CRHS provides comprehensive and affordable medical care, mental health counseling and social services to poor and uninsured individuals and families in the District.

How do you help people in my community?

Why do you need my support?

Because we ask our patients to pay what they can afford for health care, payments for our services range far below the cost of providing them. Patient payments and insurance reimbursements cover one-third of our budget. We rely on individuals, foundations, religious organizations, and corporations to help us meet our financial needs.

Contributions from individuals covered approximately 33 percent of our budget in 2000, including gifts received through United Way/Combined Federal Campaign. Donations allow us to keep fees low while continuing to provide consistently outstanding health care. While we are thankful for every gift we receive, CRHS relies on “Friends,” who pledge a gift of $1,800, sponsoring an entire day of services at our health center.

How can I be sure that you will use my money wisely and won't waste it?

CRHS makes every effort to ensure that your donation, no matter what the size, achieves its maximum impact. In 2000, our administrative and fundraising costs were 18 percent of our total budget. This means that more then 80 percent of our revenue goes directly to providing patient care. The commitment of our practitioners to serving the poor is reflected in their salaries, which are half of what they might earn in private practice.

CRHS is audited annually by an outside firm to ensure accountability to the patients we serve and the donors who support us. In addition, CRHS is guided by a Board of Directors composed of 10 members, including patients and other individuals who live or work in our service area and maintain an interest in our work.

To fulfill our mission of providing quality and compassionate health care for the poor and uninsured in Washington, DC, CRHS needs your financial support!

Can I Volunteer? How?

Medical care and social services offered at CRHS are provided by skilled professionals who are members of our staff. As such, we do not rely on volunteers to provide our services. However, we can always use volunteers for administrative support and special projects. For further information, please do not hesitate to contact Marisa Stubbs, CRHS Development Director, at 202-328-3717.