Community Health Centers provide whole person care to anyone who needs it, regardless of immigration status, insurance coverage, or ability to pay. As the world opens its arms to fleeing Ukrainian citizens, we want to make it clear that our health center doors and our hearts are open to the people of Ukraine, who are enduring a brutal, unprovoked, and senseless attack.
According to Governor Kathy Hochul, New York is home to the largest Ukrainian community in the country, and New York stands ready to welcome and provide safe haven to all Ukrainians, including offering them Medicaid eligibility. We applaud her for her quick and decisive actions to support the people of Ukraine and ensure they have access to the care they need.
Community Health Centers have always been a place of welcome to all refugees, and that remains just as true today as it was when the first health center was established more than 50 years ago, and we are ready to welcome Ukrainian refugees to your communities and to our health centers. We also ask that you support the relief organizations that have stood by community health centers throughout COVID and are now focused on helping the people of Ukraine. You can find a complete list with links below.
We stand with Ukraine.
Rose and Harvey
Rose Duhan Harvey Lawrence
CHCANYS President and CEO CHCANYS Board Chair
Resources:
- https://www.americares.org/crisis-alerts/conflict-in-ukraine
- https://www.directrelief.org/2022/02/direct-relief-commits-500k-for-ukraine-crisis-mobilizes-medical-aid
- https://afyafoundation.org/campaign/disaster-response-hub-ukraine
Mental Health Resources for Staff:
Disaster Distress Helpline
Call or Text 1-800-985-5990 DisasterDistress.samhsa.gov
(SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.)