Health Care Access

In 2006, the City and County of San Francisco launched Healthy San Francisco, a medical safety net program to provide health care to all of its residents who otherwise lack any other form of health coverage. While touted as a national model, the program has not necessarily reached those who can most benefit from it, due to a variety of factors including lack of knowledge, language and cultural barriers and, for many within the immigrant community, the fear of government institutions.    

Grace Urban Ministries, through a grant from the San Francisco Foundation, offered a congregation-based approach to bridging the gap between the city’s health services and those residents who need them.  In conjunction with a program sponsored by UCSF’s Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, a workshop was provided to eight African-American congregations, and another workshop was hosted by Grace Fellowship Community Church in the Mission District.  Lastly, onsite assistance was offered at a city-wide health fair hosted by San Francisco Christian Center.