In 2017, Trinity Health Foundation awarded a Phase II grant to the Jefferson Rural Clinic (JRC) in Jefferson County, TN. The clinic has provided medical services for some time. Still, it wishes to expand to provide free and/or low-cost dental care to residents at or below the Federal Poverty Level in Jefferson and Grainger Counties.
JRC submitted a grant request, “Bringing Smiles Back,” to establish a fully functional full-time dental clinic. A medical clinic building was purchased and is undergoing extensive renovations to house the dental clinic. A dentist, dental assistant, and dental hygienist will staff the clinic and volunteer professionals. By securing various partnerships, JRC has leveraged Trinity’s $150,000 Phase II grant to solid commitments of in-kind and monetary funding of over one million dollars in the next four years.
At the end of 2017, JRC named their clinic Joining Hands Healthcare to be more representative of the services they provide. The efforts to bring this clinic to reality fulfill Trinity’s mission to provide physical, emotional, and spiritual health to meet the needs of the communities we serve.
