For three years, one of Health Brigade’s dedicated community health workers has served Richmond’s Latino community with compassion, connecting families to healthcare and essential resources.
One such family faced immense hardship-the mother was caring for three children with special needs, including a daughter with cerebral palsy who was in need of a wheelchair, but the family didn’t have one. With the community health worker and Health Brigade’s assistance, the family gained access to vital support. When tragedy struck the family, leaving the father to car for the children alone, Health Brigade stepped in once more to provide emergency aid and connect the family to ongoing services. This story is a powerful reminder that healthcare is not just about medicine, but about compassion, advocacy, and community.
At Health Brigade, Virginia’s oldest free and charitable clinic, they believe no one should have to face difficulties with healthcare alone. For more than 50 years, Health Brigade has been a sanctuary for those least served, delivering exceptional, non-judgmental care to people who are often overlooked and marginalized, like the family the Health Brigade community health worker assisted. One simple belief motivates this nonprofit’s work: healthcare is a human right.
Originally known as Fan Free Clinic, Health Brigade was founded in 1970 by two doctors, a nurse, and a minister who wanted to address the unmet health needs of Richmonders. They specifically wanted to provide judgment-free healthcare for those who were often skeptical of doctors, such as young students, women, and individuals experiencing homelessness. From its earliest days, Health Brigade has always run toward the healthcare challenges others avoid, providing care and education to their patients.
In 2016, the nonprofit changed its name from Fan Free Clinic to Health Brigade to better reflect their evolving mission of healthcare in action. “Health” is what they provide, and “brigade” is how they deliver it-collaboratively, fearlessly, and with unwavering dedication.
As the world changes, Health Brigade’s commitment to serving the most vulnerable community members remains steadfast. Each year, they care for over 12,000 individuals through an integrated, person-centered approach that nurtures the health of the mind, body, and spirit.
Their services include:
- Primary Medical Care: Compassionate, inclusive healthcare for those who are uninsured or on Medicaid.
- Mental Health Services: Trauma-informed support that addresses emotional and psychological well-being prioritizing safety and empowerment.
- Community Health Outreach: Connecting directly with marginalized populations through education, harm reduction, and advocacy programs.
People can access these services in a variety of ways regardless of their financial means, including no-cost and Medicaid, based on their individual needs. Health Brigade meets people where they are, whether that’s in their clinic, on the streets, or in spaces where their patients gather, to ensure no one falls through the cracks. Health Brigade’s staff and volunteers understand what it means to be seen, heard, and cared for.
How to Support Health Brigade
Health Brigade’s efforts are fueled by the support of community members dedicated to ensuring their neighbors receive quality, life-saving care. If you’d like to get involved, consider volunteering your time at Health Brigade. You can also donate funds online for Health Brigade to purchase food, fuel, and transportation gift cards for their patients in need. To learn more and get involved, visit healthbrigade.org.
