Volunteer Board Member

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About Project H.O.P.E

Project H.O.P.E. is a non-profit, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) serving the medical and social needs of the homeless population in Camden County, particularly Camden City, NJ. Project H.O.P.E. currently operates a full time health center providing culturally sensitive comprehensive primary health care serving patients at three locations: West Street Health Center (primary location), a satellite center at the Camden City Volunteers of America, and through its Mobile Health Van which takes health care, mental health, and substance abuse services to the streets and points where homeless people gather in Camden. In addition to primary care services, Project H.O.P.E provides outpatient behavioral services at the West Street Health Center.

In 2017, Project H.O.P.E. had a total of 25,837 medical and behavioral health visits for 4,921 unduplicated homeless patients. A closer look of our patient population shows the significant barriers they face: 83% of patients were at or below the Federal Poverty Line, and 2% were without any form of health insurance. The three most common diagnoses are diabetes, hypertension, and depression. This reflects a high occurrence of chronic conditions within a patient population who has significant barriers to care due to lack of insurance or income. The City of Camden is ranked as the most economically depressed city in New Jersey and one of the most economically depressed cities in the United States. Project H.O.P.E provides critical social and health care services to Camden’s most economically and medically vulnerable residents.

Joining the Board of Directors

Project H.O.P.E has steadily grown over the years, and we are looking to grow our volunteer Board of Directors to reflect these positive changes. Board members help guide the direction of the health center by overseeing the long-term financial and programmatic development of Project H.O.P.E. in accordance to regulations put forth by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

Board members are volunteers who either live or work in the City of Camden and are dedicated to helping Camden’s homeless community to access quality, comprehensive healthcare. Board members attend monthly board meetings and also serve on a subcommittee of interest. Board members bring a diversity of personal and professional experiences to the meeting, and the Board welcomes Camden residents who want to support and improve the City’s safety-net services to apply.

Requirements

• Either be a resident of or work in the City of Camden (this is a federal HRSA requirement and is non-negotiable)

• Available to attend monthly meetings and participate in a subcommittee (monthly conference call)

• Good listener and able to ask good, open-ended questions

• Prioritize the mission and financial health of the organization

• There is no specific experience or background we are looking for. We welcome individuals who care about the City of Camden; have personal experience with housing and/or financial insecurity; and/or have legal, financial, and fundraising backgrounds.

• Able to pass state and federal background checks

Interested in learning more? Please contact Pat DeShields, CEO at deshieldsp@projecthopecamden.org / 856-541-6092 ext.1016.