| April 27, 2010 | Contact: Margie Wachtel (603) 422-8208 x141 |
Citizens Bank Foundation replenishes fund at Families First
PORTSMOUTH, NH The Citizens Bank Foundation recently contributed $5,000 to the Removing Barriers Fund at Families First Health & Support Center, which removes obstacles that can prevent low-income patients from accessing health care at the community health center. Since 2003, the Citizens Bank Foundation has been a major supporter of this fund, contributing a total of $49,000.
The fund is most often used to subsidize transportation to and from Families First, or for translation during medical appointments. These subsidies are crucial because many Families First patients lack the disposable income that would allow them to pay for these services. Almost two-thirds of the 4,175 patients served at the Health Center in 2009 had incomes at or below the federal poverty threshold (equating to $18,310 for a family of three).
We recognize the importance for New Hampshire residents to have access to quality health care. said Cathleen A. Schmidt, president, Citizens Bank, New Hampshire. The Removing Barriers Fund is a creative program designed to meet the individual needs of their clients and leverage those funds to create a greater impact on the health of families and individuals.
Families First Health and Support Center provides affordable primary, prenatal and oral health care; parenting and family programs; one-on-one family support; and mobile health care for people who are homeless. For more information, call 603-422-8208, or visit www.FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org.
