When Habersham Medical Center sold the building that housed its home health division, some wondered what would become of the building’s other tenant, Grace Gate. The Christ-centered free medical clinic provides health care services to uninsured low-income adults. In its sixteen years, the clinic has only ever known one home, in the office building on Historic Highway 441 in Demorest adjacent to Mt. Carmel Baptist Church.
Thanks to the church’s generosity, Grace Gate still calls that building home.
Mt. Carmel bought the property and allows the clinic to operate rent-free. Last fall, when mold and humidity problems forced the clinic to move, “Mt. Carmel graciously allowed us to move to the other suite in the building,” says Grace Gate’s Clinic Administrator Ginny Allison.
The move brought its own set of challenges.
“Those offices, particularly the patient waiting room, were in need of paint and repair. Chairs lining the waiting room had gouged the walls badly, and there were holes in the walls,” says the Grace Gate’s Board of Directors Chair Carol Johnson.
Recently, Grace Gate staff, board members, and volunteers pitched in to patch it up.
Steve and Tangye Teague from Bethlehem Baptist Church in Clarkesville provided the labor and materials and installed a new chair rail around the waiting room. Then, volunteers from another local ministry stepped in to help.
Pilgrim Ministries is a faith-based recovery center in Clarkesville. In the cycle of giving that often defines and sustains faith initiatives, Grace Gate provides its residents with free medical care. When the clinic needed help, Pilgrim Ministries was there.
“Those men volunteered to come and patch and paint the walls and new chair rail,” says Johnson.
Allison coordinated the work. She’s been Grace Gate’s director for six years. A big part of her job is connecting needs and services; she has to in order to keep the clinic running.
The local medical ministry survives on the labor of one full-time employee, three part-timers, and about 30 volunteers. Its operations are funded through the Habersham United Way, personal and corporate donations, and fundraisers.
“We have prayer partners and students from Piedmont College that volunteer. Also, our physicians and nurse practitioners,” says Allison.
The one paid staff clinician is a nurse practitioner who works eight hours a month. The rest of the medical team is made up of volunteers, recruited only through word of mouth.
MORE: Georgia’s troubled health care system
Grace Gate serves around 180 patients — all Habersham County residents — and logs about 1,100 patient visits each year. Grace Gate refers those who require specialists to Northside Hospital in Atlanta.
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. – 1 Peter 4:10
“Northside came to us five years ago and said they had money they needed to use for non-profits. The rest is history,” says Allison. “We have been so blessed by them.”
Since partnering together, Northside physicians have helped cure several patients of Hepatitis C. They’ve performed open-heart surgeries, orthopedic hip and knee replacements, provided imaging services, and many other surgeries and procedures for Grace Gate patients.
Pharmaceutical companies often donate medication to the clinic and “are also a real blessing to us,” says Allison. Crossroads Pharmacy in Habersham County helps too, providing patients some medications and prescriptions at no cost or greatly reduced rates.
Grace Gate is in the process of joining the Georgia Volunteer Health Care Program (GVHCP) which will provide access to other hospitals and agencies in Georgia.
MORE LOCAL GIVING: Anonymous donor pays for HCLC makeover
It is that ever-expanding network of benevolence and volunteers that keeps Grace Gate going. As service options expand, the clinic hopes its patient base will too. Grace Gate is now working with board member Pastor Sam Negron and others to raise awareness of its services among Habersham’s Hispanic population.
Those who need medical assistance may visit Grace Gate at 1040B Historic Highway 441 North to apply. Applications may be picked up and dropped off between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Clinics are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Those who’d like to get involved by donating may contribute money or materials, just as the Teague’s and Pilgrim Ministries did.
The clinic is always in need of paper towels, toilet tissue, and Kleenex. Other welcome donations include copy paper, office supplies, cleaning supplies, trash bags, bacterial wipes, air fresheners, and hand sanitizer, among other items.
To volunteer, contact the clinic at 706-839-4080 or email Allison at [email protected].
Grace Gate is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All contributions and in-kind gifts are tax-deductible.
Thanks to the contributions of many, each new and existing patient who enters Grace Gate’s doors will be greeted in a more welcoming setting.
“Grace Gate now has a beautiful waiting room to serve with love and care the needs of our patients,” says Johnson. “We serve the primary care needs and address the spiritual needs of these clients, sharing the love of Christ.”
“We are so thankful for Mt. Carmel Church for allowing us to reside here,” adds Allison.
Born of a vision to serve others and carried on the strength of its connections and mission, Grace Gate is truly a place where love, hope, and healing reside.
