CONTACT:

AMERICARES
Ashley Cross: 203-658-9579
Beth Walsh: 203-658-9578

Stamford, CT, January 26, 2006  - The AmeriCares Free Clinic of Norwalk has received a $20,000 grant from The Fairfield County Community Foundation.  This grant will provide general operating support for the Norwalk Clinic, partially covering the costs of patient medications, recruiting additional volunteers and malpractice insurance this year.
Serving the primary healthcare needs of the uninsured, the AmeriCares Free Clinic of Norwalk currently offers sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 98 South Main Street in the South Norwalk Community Center.

"We could not continue to provide the quality of healthcare that our patients deserve, without the generous donations of partners like the Fairfield Foundation Community Foundation," said Karen Gottlieb executive director of AmeriCares Free Clinics. 

Since opening in 1994, the AmeriCares Free Clinic of Norwalk has provided health care services valued at more than $5.5 million to at least 6,000 city residents.  This past year alone, the clinic boasted more than 2,200 patient visits. Providing general medical services, as well as specialty clinics for patients with chronic medical conditions, the clinic also offers prescribed laboratory and diagnostic testing through the generosity of Quest Diagnostics and Norwalk Hospital, respectively. The work of the clinic is also made possible by contributions of time from more than 120 volunteer doctors, nurses, non-medical volunteers and others, including specialists who see patients in their private offices at no charge.

These partnerships allow the clinic to provide services to patients who cannot afford needed medical care because they lack health insurance. Delaying or not receiving treatment can lead to more serious illnesses and even hospitalization for conditions that could have been avoided had the patient received preventative and/or ongoing care. 
In addition to the location in Norwalk, AmeriCares Free Clinics also has locations that serve the uninsured in Bridgeport and Danbury.  For more information, visit the web site at www.americaresfreeclinics.org or call 1-800-486-HELP.

The Fairfield County Community Foundation was formed in 1992 and named 2005 Outstanding Connecticut Foundation by the Connecticut and Fairfield County Chapters of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. The Community Foundation manages assets approaching $65 million in over 220 different donor funds established by individuals, organizations, families, and corporations to strengthen Fairfield County. In 2005, the Community Foundation awarded more than $7 million in grants to nonprofits dedicated to community and economic development, children and youth, women and girls, health and human services, the environment, the arts, and non-profit organizational effectiveness. For more information visit www.fccfoundation.org. or call (203) 834-9393.