Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Healthcare has made a contribution to Fourth Street Clinic, a community health center providing healthcare and support services to Utah’s homeless community. The contribution of $285,000 from the Intermountain Community Care Foundation was specified to support the clinic’s quarantine and isolation efforts that it gives individuals and families living in shelters or on the street a place to quarantine once exposed to COVID. The contribution will specifically assist with these operational costs, including rent for the facility, meals, security, medical supplies, communications and operating costs.
Intermountain said that since July 2021, Fourth Street’s quarantine and isolation program has served 561 individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
“We are incredibly grateful for the vital services Fourth Street Clinic provides to those experiencing homelessness and providing COVID response service to this vulnerable population,” said Mikelle Moore, Intermountain Community Care Foundation’s president and Intermountain’s senior vice president and chief community officer. “We stand with the community health center in our conviction to helping our communities that are struggling through the COVID pandemic and we invite others to join us in supporting the important work the Fourth Street Clinic leads.”
Janida Emerson, chief executive officer of Fourth Street Clinic, said this funding couldn’t have come at a more crucial time.
“The reality for us here at Fourth Street Clinic is that COVID is moving far faster than we have the resources for,” Emerson said. “The recent spike of omicron cases in Utah filled our current quarantine and isolation space to capacity — and honestly, we began to worry how this program would continue with such a massive spike in cases. The support from the Intermountain Community Care Foundation in the 11th hour means these services are still available to our vulnerable neighbors through this current surge.”
