Celebrating 20 Years of Community HealthCorps

Celebrating 20 Years of
Community HealthCorps ®
®
Promoting health care for America’s
underserved while developing
tomorrow’s health care workforce

FROM THE NATIONAL
DIRECTOR...
Dear Friends,
It is my pleasure to join you in celebrating two decades of
Community HealthCorps by releasing this report, which
illustrates the impact our AmeriCorps members have
made since the National Association of Community
Health Centers joined forces with nine health centers to
start the Community HealthCorps program in 1995. Each
year, our Community HealthCorps AmeriCorps members
serve hundreds of medically underserved communities
nationwide to increase access to care and improve
utilization of preventive and primary health care services.
More importantly, they positively impact the lives of real
individuals. Many of our Members become health care
professionals and continue to work in community health
centers after their service. Community HealthCorps staff,
Members, alumni, partners, and supporters are excited to
continue working together to “get things done” in our
20th year and beyond as we aim to become a 50-state
solution to the problem of limited health literacy and
navigating the ever-changing healthcare system.
In Service,
Gerrard Jolly
National Director
Community HealthCorps

62 million
Americans lacking
access to basic
health care
20
years Community
HealthCorps has
made a difference
7,300
AmeriCorps members
who have made
access a solution

ABOUT US
Who We Are
What We Do
Community HealthCorps is the largest healthfocused
national AmeriCorps program. We
strive to promote health care for America’s
underserved while developing tomorrow’s
health care workforce. We are one of the
few “Healthy Futures” programs, seeking to
leverage national service to solve the
country’s most serious health-related issues.
Members focus on four service areas:
Increasing access to health care,
Improving financial knowledge as it
relates to health decisions,
Decreasing childhood obesity, and
Empowering older adults, individuals
with disabilities, veterans, and their
families to maintain their independence.
1994
1995 2001 2005
The Corporation for
National & Community
Service launches
AmeriCorps to support
programs that address
critical social needs.
Community HealthCorps
is formed by the
National Association
of Community Health
Centers to address
health care needs.
Community HealthCorps
develops a Member
training program
focused on improving
the health center
workforce.
Community HealthCorps
AmeriCorps members
help rebuild the health
care infrastructure in
communities affected
by Hurricane Katrina.
Launching
Addressing Health
Developing Future
Rebuilding
AmeriCorps
Care Needs
Leaders
Communities

Why We Serve
Where We Serve
Each year, 1 in 5 Americans lack access to
health care. 43% of these people are also
members of low-income households and
28% live in rural areas. Access to health care
is affected by inadequate insurance,
insufficient knowledge of available services,
and social determinants like food insecurity,
lack of transportation, and homelessness.
Community HealthCorps places more than
500 AmeriCorps members in community
health centers—where 24 million people
gain access to quality, affordable primary
health care—annually. Currently, Members
who come from diverse economic, cultural,
and racial backgrounds serve in over 200
communities across 17 states and
Washington DC.
2009 2012 2014 2015
Community HealthCorps
formalizes a
first-of-its-kind
partnership with the
Peace Corps.
Community HealthCorps
AmeriCorps members
rated their satisfaction
with participating in the
program an average of
8.3 out of 10.
AmeriCorps celebrates
its 20th anniversary with
a national swearing-in
ceremony led by
President Barack
Obama.
Community HealthCorps’
20th AmeriCorps
member class is serving
to improve access to
health care!
Partnering with
Evaluating
Celebrating
Reflecting on
Peace Corps
Program Impact
National Service
20 Years

1994-2000: The Early Years
Our History
individuals choosing to dedicate a year to make
positive changes in the health of a community?”
-Calvin George, Former Community
HealthCorps National Director
The Corporation for National and
Community Service (CNCS) and AmeriCorps
were created under President Bill Clinton
with its first member class beginning service
in 1994. AmeriCorps aims to leverage
national service participants in meeting
critical community needs in health,
education, public safety, and the
environment.
One year later, in September 1995, the
National Association of Community Health
Centers’ (NACHC) launched Community
HealthCorps to help health centers fill a gap
in enabling support services, such as
providing case management services,
referring patients to specialty care, and
enrolling patients in health insurance.
“Health centers were born out of a commitment
to serve the medically disenfranchised, so
where better to engage and develop energetic
The program began with less than 100
AmeriCorps members serving at nine sites,
growing to become the largest healthfocused
AmeriCorps program with more
than 7,300 alumni who served over 8.8
million hours nationwide.
“I naturally have a warm spot for Community
HealthCorps... The two things it rolls into one
ball, national service and universal health care,
are very close to the key causes of my own life.”
-Senator Harris Wofford, Former CNCS CEO
Throughout 2015, coinciding with the 50th
anniversary of community health centers,
Community HealthCorps is celebrating 20
years of service and impact!
THE 9 ORIGINAL COMMUNITY HEALTHCORPS
PROGRAM SITES OPERATED IN 7 STATES.
$17.7 million
added value of community-wide benefits resulting from
annual federal investments in Community HealthCorps

Q&A with Hudson River HealthCare
Allison Dubois-Adach, former Community
HealthCorps AmeriCorps member and
current COO of Hudson River HealthCare
(NY), explains their local program’s history
and why they became one of the 9 original
Community HealthCorps Program Sites:
Why did your health center start a
Community HealthCorps program? Our CEO,
Anne Nolon, had prior experience with
national service as an AmeriCorps VISTA and
was eager to merge service with community
health centers to reach more people in our
community.
How did your Community HealthCorps
AmeriCorps members serve to improve
access to health care during your program’s
first year? Community HealthCorps began
with the aim to provide a medical home for
communities and
improve utilization
of health services.
Our Members were
mostly involved in
outreach and
health engagement
strategies to link patients to the health
center. Members were embedded in the
center’s departments, working with clinical
staff to educate and follow-up with patients.
Members were also building capacity for the
center by supporting other grant initiatives,
such as pregnancy prevention, HIV/AIDS
education, and services for immigrants and
seasonal farm workers.
How have those roles changed throughout
the years? Members’ roles have expanded
as clinic teams
realize their value in
helping achieve
improved outcomes
for targeted groups
of patients. While
Members focus on
the similar types of activities as they did in
the beginning, their roles have grown to
encompass more of the social determinants
of health, like financial literacy.
What makes Community HealthCorps
different from other community-based
programs? Patients and clinicians perceive
volunteers who dedicate an entire year of
their life to provide services in this community
in a different way. It allows a greater intensity
of focus and the ability to innovate for the
future of our health center.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Quick Facts
Name: Kayla Morris-Doyle, MSW Age: 32 Hometown: Fenwick, MI
Program Site: Cherry Health (MI) Service Years: 2008-2010
Current Position: Manager of Medical Integration, Cherry Health
Inspired to Serve
While earning her Masters in Social
Work, Kayla served as a Community
HealthCorps AmeriCorps member to
enhance her learning experience by
supplementing her in-class work with
on-the-ground service. Kayla was
excited by the ability to help the
community access health care, while
also working towards the Segal
AmeriCorps Education Award that
would help her pay for school.
Service Experience
Kayla served with Community
HealthCorps for two years, providing
students with mental health screenings
and referrals to social workers in Grand
Rapids’ Burton community. The most
memorable part of her experience was
helping children access mental health
therapy services, find positive role
models, and learn that there are adults
in their own communities who care
about them and can help.
Life After AmeriCorps
Kayla’s Community HealthCorps experience directly impacted her career goals. After
serving, she completed her Master of Social Work degree and immediately began
working as a Clinical Social Work Therapist at Cherry Health. After a couple of years,
Kayla transitioned into the Program Coordinator position for Cherry Health’s
Community HealthCorps program. In 2014, she became the Manager of Medical
Integration, managing clinical social workers and helping Cherry Health move towards
fully integrated health care.

Because of Community HealthCorps, I was employed with the
agency at which I served providing clinical social work and program
development for our AmeriCorps team… We can all serve our
country by serving our community, and at the same time, grow by
leaps and bounds personally and professionally.

2000-2004: The Reflection Years
The Member Experience
Community HealthCorps values training,
team building, and service as the three main
components that create a well-rounded and
transformative experience.
TRAINING & TEAM BUILDING
In 2001, national staff collaborated with
Program Coordinators, Members, and health
educators to create the Prescriptions for
Success, a 10 module training about the
knowledge and
skills that help lead
to a successful
year of service.
This training has
evolved to meet
the changing needs of health care, now
covering topics such as professional
development, cultural sensitivity, the primary
care environment, and health disparities.
Team building is an important aspect of
training because one of the cornerstones of
the program is the belief that people from
diverse backgrounds can change America
when they work together.
SERVICE
Access to health
care is impacted by
inadequate health
care coverage, lack
of knowledge about
available services, and insufficient social
support systems. Each year, 1 in 5 Americans
lack access to primary health care and are
considered medically underserved. 43% of
those that are medically underserved are
from low-income households, and 28% live in
rural areas. Many times, these individuals
experience social issues that can affect their
health, including a lack of transportation,
food insecurity, and homelessness.
Community HealthCorps aims to be a part of
the solution by connecting community
members to affordable, quality health care
services and
mitigating many of
the social barriers
associated with
limited access and
poor health.
7 in 10
Members who gain knowledge about health care,
professionalism, and civic engagement because of service

Members directly
engage with
thousands of people
in the communities
they serve to improve
health care access
and encourage healthy behaviors. Between
2000 and 2004, Members facilitated more
than 238,000 encounters focused on helping
people enroll in health insurance,
prescription assistance, and other health
programs; nearly 155,000 one-on-one and
group health education sessions; and over
138,000 appointments to assist patients with
navigating the health care system through
translation services
and referrals to
community-based
organizations that
provide assistance
with transportation,
housing, and food.
100 Hours of National Service Testimony
In September 2003, thousands of AmeriCorps
supporters advocated during 100 Hours of
National Service Testimony in response to a
lack of funding for AmeriCorps. Community
HealthCorps leaders and alumni highlighted
the program’s impact in their lives at the
event.
“Community HealthCorps is one way to fight for
improving health care services… It provides an
army of individuals who provide meaningful
services from a broad perspective.” -Dr. Ruben
Cowart, Former Community HealthCorps
Steering Committee Chair and Syracuse
Community Health Center CEO
“Today, I'm realizing my dream of becoming a
nurse and [Community HealthCorps] has a lot to
do with that. It gave me the chance to develop
leadership skills and the confidence to learn.
Working with a diverse team [at NYU Lutheran
Family Health Centers]...was challenging, but
we shared one common goal: helping lowincome
communities get the health care they
needed. The experience has opened my eyes to
a world outside my community.” -Fernanda
Alvarado, Member in 1997-1998
“The Lubec Community HealthCorps team was
the cornerstone of a massive community effort
to serve those in need at a time when it would
have been much easier to tend to our own
difficulties; and that is an opportunity that I wish
everyone can have.” -Kara Cruoglio, Member in
1997-1998
As a result of this tireless championing,
President George W. Bush signed the
Strengthen AmeriCorps Program Act in July
2003 to protect and expand national service
opportunities across the nation.

2004-2008: The Growth Years
Impacting Patients for 10 Years
Community HealthCorps’ 10th AmeriCorps
member class began service in August 2004.
In celebration, Community HealthCorps
launched the Growing to Scale Initiative to
increase the number of available service
opportunities and operational sites, hosted
Community HealthCorps Week to showcase
Members’ service, and shared stories from
the past 10 years—such as the anonymously
submitted ones below—to highlight the
patient impact made each year.
TRANSITIONS
“Doing visits [as a Member with Salud Family
Health Centers (CO)] to recent immigrants’
homes has opened my eyes to the hardships
of people who come to the U.S. with hopes
of a better future. Families are very grateful
for the advice on child safety and the repairs
and resources we are able to offer. I have
noticed that, through the difficult transition,
most families have become closer and
developed a deeper love for each other.”
MAKING STRIDES
“Many of my patients [at East Boston
Neighborhood Health Centers (MA)] tend to
be chronically homeless and cannot break
the cycle of addiction. I had seen one such
patient seven times over eight and a half
months until she finally said that she wanted
treatment for her drug addiction. Although
she’d been unsuccessful in treatment
before, she was determined this time. I
referred her to a treatment program, where
she began attending daily meetings and
counseling sessions. Now, instead of seeing
her slumped over in bed, looking dejected
and rundown, she has her head held high
and a beaming smile on her face. For the
first time in a very long time, she feels like
things are going her way!”
59%
increase in the number of Community HealthCorps
program sites between 2004 and 2007

Rebuilding Community After Hurricane Katrina
After Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in
2005, more than 17,000 AmeriCorps
members—from organizations such as City
Year, HandsOn Network, and National AIDS
Fund—served with hundreds of thousands of
volunteers to provide disaster relief to the
affected communities.
Community HealthCorps
joined the effort with New
York Members organizing
“stoop sale” fundraisers
and Members at Affinia
Healthcare (MO) staffing
United Way support lines.
CNCS and the WellPoint Foundation
awarded Community HealthCorps with
special funding to expand its programs into
Louisiana and Mississippi. Many coastal
health centers in those states were
destroyed, while inland centers experienced
surges in patients who were displaced.
In Louisiana, a 30-Member program was
launched to enhance the health centers’
abilities to provide outreach, health
insurance enrollment, and health education
services. The new funds also enabled the
Mississippi program to double from 10 to 20
Members, who sorted donated goods and
medical supplies to be shipped and
distributed to affected communities.
In February 2006, Community HealthCorps
AmeriCorps members with the Mississippi
Primary Health Care Association (MPHCA)
were honored by Voices for National Service
for their exemplary disaster relief efforts.
“I have always believed that what I did in
service was important, but I did not realize how
important it was until after Hurricane Katrina.
[The disaster] has truly been one of the lowest
points for our communities, yet it allowed our
strongest points to come to surface… The
impact is so overwhelming that, at times, I feel
like I can only do so much as one person, but I
know in my heart the best thing I can offer is to
continue to listen and talk with our neighbors
who have been displaced and assist them in
getting the help they so desperately need.”
-Kimberly Walker, Member in 2004-2006
In both states, Community HealthCorps
helped to rebuild
the community
health care
infrastructure, while
offering displaced
residents the
opportunity to become AmeriCorps
members, resettle into their lives, and look
towards their futures.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Quick Facts
Name: Angel Rosario Age: 28 Hometown: East Harlem, NY
Program Site: AltaMed Health Services (CA) Service Year: 2009-2011
Current Position: MD Student, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine
Inspired to Serve
During college, Angel explored health
disparities at a global level through his
studies. Once he was able to see the
undeniable link between poverty and
health, he was committed to exploring
how that relationship was expressed
domestically and decided to join
Community HealthCorps. Angel
wanted to get a deeper understanding
of the micro- and macro-level barriers
that communities, similar to the one in
which he had grown up, faced when
accessing health care.
Service Experience
During his first year of service, Angel
empowered patients to manage their
chronic illnesses, taught health literacy
classes to Spanish-speaking seniors,
and helped implement a new tobacco
cessation program. In his second year,
Angel served to support children and
families who participated in a weight
management program. He enjoys
recalling the many “Aha!” moments of
patients he has served, knowing that
he changed their lives by helping them
learn valuable health information.
Life After AmeriCorps
After Community HealthCorps, Angel was hired by AltaMed Health Services as an HIV
Clinic Testing Supervisor to implement routine HIV screenings across their 24 primary care
clinics. In 2013, he became a Clinic Administrator, managing the health center’s first
Orange County clinic serving people living with HIV/AIDS. Angel attributes his Community
HealthCorps experience to shaping his passion to become a physician-leader and
patient advocate. In 2015, he entered the University of California San Francisco's School
of Medicine PRIME-US program focused on urban underserved communities.

By developing a genuine connection with those we serve, we
can get a deeper understanding of the role we play in addressing
health disparity at its core... Collaboration, listening, compassion,
advocating, and solidarity are invaluable, indestructible, and limitless
weapons we all carry to combat health disparities.

2008-2011: The Inspiration Years
More Opportunity to Serve America
President Barack Obama signed the
Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act into
law in April 2009. This law aimed to more
than triple the number of AmeriCorps service
positions and increase the amount of the
Segal AmeriCorps Education Award for
AmeriCorps
members.
“Passing the Serve
America Act...is truly a
once-in-a-generation
opportunity to fix
what’s wrong with America with what’s right
with America—the American people’s
willingness to give of themselves to make a
difference for others.” -Shirley Sagawa, Service
Year Exchange Founder and Former CNCS
Managing Director
NACHC leadership, recognizing the
competitiveness of service programs and the
need to increase opportunities, worked with
congressional leaders to advocate for the
passage of the Serve America Act and
shape the future of national service.
Community Health Global Innovations
In December 2009, Community HealthCorps
formalized the first ever partnership between
an AmeriCorps program and the Peace
Corps through the Community Health Global
Innovations Initiative.
This project aims to benefit America’s
underserved communities, while
strengthening the international health care
workforce. Participants are encouraged to
serve in community health settings
domestically and abroad
through the promotion of
Peace Corps opportunities
for Community HealthCorps
alumni and vice versa.
Through this initiative,
bi-national mentorships
between service participants
are also developed to improve delivery of
culturally appropriate health services.
1 in 14
applicants accepted to serve with Community
HealthCorps nationwide

Emerging Leaders
Community HealthCorps increases access to
health care by not only empowering
communities, but also by inspiring Members
to continue their work in community health
after AmeriCorps.
More than 75% of alumni
have reported a
continued or increased
desire to pursue further
education and a career in
health as a result of their
year of service with
Community HealthCorps.
“I have always been interested in health care as
a career, but my year with Community
HealthCorps sparked my interest in preventive
medicine, community health centers, and health
policy… As a result, I pursued my MPH in
Health Policy...and plan to meld both policy and
practice in my career.” -Lauren Hughes,
Member in 2002-2003
Since 1995, Community HealthCorps
AmeriCorps members have earned over
$26 million in education awards to help pay
for past loans or further education. The most
popular fields that Members pursue postservice
include medicine, nursing, public
health research and administration, and
social work.
Many alumni are
also hired by the
health centers
where they served.
Four such alumni
were honored as
2010 Geiger Gibson Emerging Leader
nominees, proving that Community
HealthCorps helps to develop the future
generation of health care leaders.
Through this award, the George Washington
University School of Public Health and Health
Services and the RCHN Community Health
Foundation recognize young leaders who
further the health center mission of providing
high-quality, culturally competent health
services to underserved populations.
Among the 2010
nominees were
Allison Dubois-Adach
(COO, Hudson River
HealthCare, NY); Heidi
Sabers (Director of
Development, Sunset Bay Community
Services, NY); Caitlin Hager (Director of
Emergency Preparedness, Maine Primary
Care Association); and Lanie Masilamani
(COO, Valley Health Systems, WV).

2011-2013: The Legacy Years
Changing Members’ Paths
In 2012, Cedarloch Research performed an
independent evaluation of the program
focused on the impact that serving in the
program has on Members’ future plans.
The results showed
that Members rate
their satisfaction with
the program an 8.3
out of 10. This high
satisfaction leads to
improved
professional skills,
more healthy
behaviors, and
positive attitudes
towards people
from different backgrounds. The research
also found that, because of serving,
Members have a higher desire to volunteer
more and pursue a career in the health field.
National Days of Service
As a part of their year, Members participate
in National Days of Service to promote
volunteerism for all Americans by performing
community projects as a team. These days
include September 11th, Martin Luther King
Jr. Day, and AmeriCorps Week.
April 9, 2013 marked the first ever Mayor’s
Day of Recognition for
National Service with
832 participating mayors
representing nearly 100
million citizens.
Community HealthCorps program sites
hosted their mayors for Member-led tours
depicting a typical day
of service, discussions
focused on the benefits
of national service, and
projects highlighting the
value and impact of national service in their
cities. Many mayors recognized and
honored the program through
proclamations presented to their local
Community HealthCorps teams.
$30
estimated cost per year for Members to engage each
patient in improving their health

Building Health Center Capacity
Between 2001 and
2012, Community
HealthCorps
managed
AmeriCorps VISTA
(Volunteers in Service to America) programs
throughout California and New York, with
nearly 250 Members serving to build health
center capacity.
VISTAs served by securing more than 300
monetary and other donations, coordinating
and strengthening nearly 50 health center
volunteer programs, improving electronic
patient tracking, and developing over 100
new health-focused programs and classes.
“Translating research
findings into tangible
quality improvement
initiatives has been one
of the most rewarding
experiences… Now, I
am even more motivated to pursue a career in
public health and use my knowledge to help
others.” -Anna Kharmats, VISTA Member in
2011-2012
Reducing Childhood Obesity
In 2011, Community HealthCorps increased
its focus on reducing childhood obesity. That
year, Community HealthCorps AmeriCorps
members engaged nearly 2000 children in
physical and nutrition education activities.
Members built school gardens and
developed exercise programs—such as
Recess Rocks at Community Health Center,
Inc. (CT) and Let’s Get Movin’ at East Boston
Neighborhood Health Center (MA)—to
teach children about healthy behaviors.
“As a Health Educator working to address the
issues of childhood obesity and physical
education, it was incredibly fun and satisfying
to see my students eager to participate in
exercise challenges, whether it be with their
classmates on the playground or stepping out of
their comfort zones to tackle the rock wall.”
-Elise Waln, Member in 2011-2012

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Quick Facts
Name: Vinh Nguyen Age: 23 Hometown: Annandale, VA
Program Site: Community Health Integrated Partnership (MD) Service Year: 2013-2014
Current Position: MD Student, Howard University College of Medicine
Inspired to Serve
Prior to graduating from college, Vinh
interned at a free clinic where he was
exposed to the plight of the working
uninsured. Vinh was shocked to learn
that many of the uninsured are people
with full-time employment who do not
make enough money to afford private
health insurance but make too much
for public assistance. Vinh was inspired
by this to join Community HealthCorps,
gain more experience working with
underserved communities, and learn
about the US healthcare system.
Service Experience
Vinh continued his commitment to the
uninsured by serving as an Eligibility
Worker at Greater Baden Medical
Services where he provided patients
with the assistance and resources to
apply for health coverage. He helped
to determine patient eligibility for
Medicaid and health insurance
subsidies, guided patients through the
health exchange application process,
and educated community members so
that they could make informed
decisions about their health insurance.
Life After AmeriCorps
In 2014, Vinh began medical school at Howard College of Medicine. According to Vinh,
serving with Community HealthCorps provided him with invaluable insights into the social
determinants of health, which will ultimately help him become a compassionate
physician focused on the comprehensive needs of his patients.

I cannot be more thankful for the wisdom, guidance, and support I've
received over my year of service. I am forever grateful for the
compassion that I've seen working with each of you, and I hope I can
carry on your legacies of public service in my career in medicine.

2013-2014: The Milestone Year
Partnering to Improve Patients’ Health
The first open enrollment period for the
Affordable Care Act began in 2013.
Although opportunities for the uninsured to
gain health insurance increased, studies
show that 40% of Americans cannot define
various health insurance terms. This lack of
health literacy is costly, with American
families paying $900 more in premiums each
year to compensate for unpaid medical bills.
With more people using health care,
Community HealthCorps partnered with the
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to
increase economic opportunity and
prepare Members for providing education
to their communities about the impacts of
health-related decisions on personal
financial resources.
In 2013-14, Members
helped more than
45,000 people with
health-related
financial needs, with
nearly 70% of those surveyed reporting an
increase in their financial-health literacy.
Presenting Our Impact
During NACHC’s 2014 Community Health
Institute & Expo, Community HealthCorps
alumni presented on their service’s impact
on breast health preventive care, transitions
of care programming, and immigrant travel
medicine. Presenters included Erin McKenrick
(Camden Coalition of HealthCare Providers,
NJ); Lacey Gleason (Hudson River
HealthCare, NY); and Rachel Wolf (Salud
Family Health Centers, CO). National
program staff also presented a poster
focused on the program’s 20-year history.
@missiad:
proud to be a @CommHealthCorps @AmeriCorpsAlums
as @americorps celebrates 20 years! #AmeriCorps20

Celebrating AmeriCorps’ 20th Anniversary
On September 12, 1994, the first class of
AmeriCorps members took a pledge to “get
things done for America.” Two decades
later, AmeriCorps members, alumni, and
supporters joined together to celebrate the
inspiring achievements of the more than
900,000 AmeriCorps members who have
served their communities.
“When it comes to activating human capital and
creating an agenda of active citizenship [in our
nation], AmeriCorps members are on the front
line. They are like our Strike Force or our Seal
Team 7 in building healthier and stronger
communities.” -Jonathan Greenblatt, Former
White House Office of Social Innovation and
Civic Participation Director
Community HealthCorps staff and Members
across the nation joined in the celebration.
Former Community HealthCorps National
Director Jason Patnosh reflected in a blog
post on his experience with the past 20 years
of national service, encouraging Americans
to “address and master the future together.”
Maryland and DC Members attended the
White House event, where CNCS CEO
Wendy Spencer and Presidents Obama and
Clinton led a national swearing-in
ceremony. Many other Community
HealthCorps program sites participated in
statewide ceremonies featuring mayors,
lieutenant governors, and senators.
“When AmeriCorps members have completed
their service, many go on to become civic and
community leaders due to the values they
learned. It's a life-changing experience!”
-Wendy Spencer, CNCS CEO

2014-2015: The 20th Year
50 Years of Community Health Centers
This year marks not only the 20th anniversary
of Community HealthCorps, but also the 50th
anniversary of community health centers!
“For 50 years, community health centers have
served as the nation’s largest primary care
network. Our work together in the Community
Health Movement gives us great strengths as we
apply our collective skills, ideas, and vast
experience to deliver the quality care and
innovations needed to strengthen America’s
health system… Our enduring aim is to ensure
that the health center mission not only survives,
but also thrives into the future.” -Tom Van
Coverden, NACHC President & CEO
Throughout this year,
NACHC celebrates the
inspiring work done by
health center staff and
their partners in
expanding access to
quality, affordable
primary and preventive health care services
to millions of uninsured and medically
underserved people nationwide. The strong
and enduring health center mission is a
testament to the important past, present,
and future role of health centers in the
nation’s healthcare system.
Health centers began as part of the nation’s
War on Poverty during the Lyndon B.
Johnson Administration, with the first health
center opening its doors in Dorchester, MA.
By 1995, health centers had grown
drastically in their capacity to provide health
care to 8.6 million underserved. Today, they
have grown into the largest and most
successful primary care system in the
United States, serving 24 million people
annually!
Community HealthCorps is proud to have
been a part of the history and legacy of
community health centers for the past 20
years and hopes to continue for the next 50!
“[Community HealthCorps] takes advantage of
an incredible spirit of volunteerism that we
know exists in this country and pairs that with
the health center mission, creating not only a set
of volunteers to do incredible work, but also a
set of future leaders in the Community Health
Center Program.” -Jim Macrae, Former Bureau
of Primary Health Care Associate Administrator
happy 20 years!
visit www.communityhealthcorps.org to learn how you can
support Community HealthCorps and national service

Our Future
In January 2015, the first annual State of the
Program Address kicked-off the 20th
anniversary celebration of Community
HealthCorps!
During the address, Community HealthCorps
National Director Gerrard Jolly recounted
CURRENT COMMUNITY HEALTHCORPS
PROGRAM SITES OPERATE IN 17 STATES.
the program’s
most recent
achievements,
including the 20th
class being the
largest yet at 535
AmeriCorps
members serving full-time with 38 program
sites in 17 states and Washington DC.
“Through their service, our Members help to lift
the cloak of confusion that often covers the
health care system and help individuals create
simple, realistic care plans to which patients can
confidently commit.” -Gerrard Jolly
As we look forward, Community HealthCorps
aims to triple its impact by becoming a 50-
state solution to the problem of limited
health literacy, health care workforce
shortages, and lack of health care access.
“Community HealthCorps not only helps to
deliver resources to a health center’s patients,
but it is also an economic engine to develop
future job opportunities once an AmeriCorps
member completes their year of service. The
growth of health centers will not slow down, as
we expect to see 30 million patients annually in
just a few years; guaranteeing a strong pipeline
of future leaders through Community
HealthCorps is a necessary piece of the puzzle
to ensure success.” -Jason Patnosh
Community HealthCorps has leveraged
AmeriCorps funding with over $6 million in
additional annual support from various
organizations—including health-focused
foundations, local health departments, and
private donors—and has developed many
strong partnerships over the years, such as
with AmeriCorps Alums, Voices for National
Service, the Peace Corps, and the
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
But, to achieve this goal, we must grow in
our partnerships and supporters. We cannot
fight for equal access to health care without
your help!
“Since 1995, Community HealthCorps
AmeriCorps members have transformed
patients, staff, and communities with their
enthusiasm and commitment to building healthy
futures. The program works every day and will
continue to work for years to come!” -John
Gressman, Community HealthCorps Steering
Committee Member and San Francisco
Community Clinic Consortium CEO

20 YEARS OF IMPACT
Quick Stats
U.S. STATES &
TERRITORIES
where Community
HealthCorps has operated
30
7.3K
AMERICORPS
MEMBERS
who served in Community
HealthCorps since 1995
HOURS
served by Community
HealthCorps AmeriCorps
members
8.8M
52K
57%
32K
ALUMNI
who pursue graduate
school or work in a health
field post-service
COMMUNITY
VOLUNTEERS
mobilized by Community
HealthCorps
76K
$9.6M
ESTIMATED
VALUE
of hours served by
community volunteers
Member Service
58K
9K
69K
32K
49K
130K
PEOPLE
enrolled in health
insurance, services, &
programs
PEOPLE
linked to other health
& community services
PEOPLE
engaged in
education about
healthy behaviors

Our Health Center Partners
ALABAMA
West Alabama Health Services +
ARIZONA
Marana Health Center
CALIFORNIA
Alliance for Rural Community Health
AltaMed Health Services
California Family Health Council
Central Valley Health Network
Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County
Family Health Care Network
LifeLong Medical Care
Redwood Community Health Coalition
San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium +*
COLORADO
Colorado Community Health Network +
Metro Community Provider Network + *
Salud Family Health Centers +
CONNECTICUT
Community Health Center Association of Connecticut
Community Health Center, Inc.
WASHINGTON DC
DC Primary Care Association
Unity Health Care, Inc.
FLORIDA
Community Health of South Florida
Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida
Tampa Family Health Centers
GEORGIA
Georgia Mountain Health Services
IDAHO
Institute of Rural Health at Idaho State University
LOUISIANA
Louisiana Primary Care Association
MAINE
Maine Primary Care Association
Penobscot Community Health Care
Regional Medical Center at Lubec +
MARYLAND
Community Health Integrated Partnership
MASSACHUSETTS
Boston Health Care for the Homeless
East Boston Neighborhood Health Center
Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers
MICHIGAN
Cherry Health
MISSISSIPPI
Mississippi Primary Health Care Association
MISSOURI
Affinia Healthcare
NEBRASKA
Health Center Association of Nebraska
NEW JERSEY
Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers
Zufall Health Center
NEW YORK
Hudson River HealthCare +*
Institute for Family Health
NYU Lutheran Family Health Centers +*
Open Door Family Medical Centers
Regional Primary Care Network
Syracuse Community Health Center +*
William F. Ryan Community Health Network
OHIO
Ohio Association of Community Health Centers
PENNSYLVANIA
Primary Care Network
SouthEast Lancaster Health Services
PUERTO RICO
Corporacion de Servicios de Salud y Medicina Avanzada
RHODE ISLAND
Providence Community Health Centers +
SOUTH CAROLINA
Family Health Centers, Inc.
TENNESSEE
United Neighborhood Health Services
TEXAS
Brownsville Community Health Center
CommuniCare Health Centers
Valley Primary Care Network
Waco Family Health Center
VIRGINIA
Alexandria Neighborhood Health Services, Inc.
WASHINGTON
HealthPoint
Sea Mar Community Health Center +*
Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic
WEST VIRGINIA
Valley Health Systems
WISCONSIN
Sixteenth Street Community Health Center

Community HealthCorps ®
ABOUT US
Founded in 1995 by the National Association of Community Health Centers, Community
HealthCorps is the largest health-focused, national AmeriCorps program, improving health care
access and enhancing workforce development for community health centers.
Community HealthCorps annually places 535 national service members in over 200 community
health centers and partner agencies across 17 states and DC.
To learn more about Community HealthCorps and how you can join the effort to fight for equal
access to health care:
Visit our website - www.communityhealthcorps.org
Follow us on Facebook - www.facebook.com/communityhealthcorps
Follow us on Twitter - @CommHealthCorps
Follow us on Instagram - @community_healthcorps
Follow our blog - communityhealthcorps.wordpress.com
Join our LinkedIn group - www.linkedin.com/grp/home?gid=110384
We’d like to thank our Steering Committee for their invaluable leadership:
Allison Dubois-Adach (Committee Chair), COO, Hudson River HealthCare
Allen Patterson (Committee Vice-Chair), CFO, Waco Family Health Centers
Cathy Frey, CEO, Central Valley Health Network
Chris Shea, CEO, Cherry Health
Eric Vicks, Community HealthCorps Program Coordinator, DC Primary Health Care Association
Janice Braithwaite, Workforce Development Manager, Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers
Joe Lee, Community HealthCorps Program Coordinator, LifeLong Medical Care
John Gressman, CEO, San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium
John Santistevan, President & CEO, Salud Family Health Centers
Lindsay Farrell, CEO, Open Door Family Medical Center
Manny Lopes, CEO, East Boston Neighborhood Health Center
Rashad Collins, Director of Workforce Development, Community Health Center Association of Connecticut
THE NATIONAL AMERICORPS PROGRAM OF