Athens-Clarke County assistance programs.

Find free health care in Athens Georgia

The Athens’ Mercy Health Center provides free health care to Athens Georgia area families. Just last year, the 100 plus charity clinics in Georgia, such as Athens’ Mercy Health Center, provided free health care to almost 200,000 individuals. This year, they are on pace to help 600,000 due to the weak economy. Their phone number is (706) 425-9445.

Athens Mercy Health Center uses volunteers to offer residents health care services, including even dental cleanings, and they charge patients either very little, or nothing, if they have no other means of obtaining health care. They provide medical and dental care for the families and individuals who do not have any other health insurance or ability to access care. They will not accept patients who have private insurance, or receive assistance from government Medicaid or Medicare programs. The services offered include the following:

• Free medications, and coverage for pharmacy services for MHC patients
• Both emergency and primary medical care for children and adults
• Specialty medical clinics and also referrals on a case-by-case basis
• Spanish medical services as interpreters are located on site
• Dental cleaning and other services
• Find additional ways to get free health care and/or free medications.

 

 

 

Assistance from Athens Georgia are charities and non-profit organizations

Over 30 local churches, charities, government agencies and non profits can offer grants for utility bills, rent payments, heavy coats or a place to stay, according to HandsOn Northeast Georgia, which is an Athens organization that coordinates local volunteers and non profits

• ACTION Inc., is an Athens-based nonprofit organization that administers the LIHEAP heating bill program for 10 Northeast Georgia counties.
   
• People who need rent help, or are facing eviction can get assistance. Locally, AIDS Athens, Project Safe, Community Connection and Advantage Behavioral Health Systems administer federal economic stimulus programs for people whose landlords have given them eviction notices, and also people who are currently homeless can get help.
   
• Free clothes can be received from First Christian Church of Athens. This organization maintains clothes closets that give away warm clothing to people who cannot afford it.

 

 

Help for winter bills and expenses

There are literally dozens of charities and other organizations in Athens Georgia that can provide help like money for utilities, emergency shelter, free clothes and food to struggling Athens-area residents this winter. The exact services, needs, resources and programs they offer, hours and eligibility requirements vary, so call for more information or call Community Connection at 211 for a referral.

• ACTION Inc.

594 Oconee St.

(706) 549-9827

• A Bigger Vision of Athens

(706) 340-6062; (770) 851-2100

North Lumpkin Street and East Hancock Avenue across from the post office.

• Ebenezer Baptist Church West

833 Reese St.

(706) 543-9644

• The Healing Place

1635 W. Broad St.

(706) 369-0603

• Homeless Day Service Center

375 S. Peter St.

(706) 354-1154; (706) 354-1192

• Interfaith Hospitality Network

393-1 W. Hancock Ave.

(706) 425-1881

• Atlanta Union Mission Thrift Store

434 Prince Ave.

(706) 546-5596; (706) 543-8338

• Emmanuel Episcopal Thrift House

450 Prince Ave.

(706) 543-7047

• First Christian Church of Athens

268 W. Dougherty St.

(706) 549-1915

• Food Bank of Northeast Georgia

861 Newton Bridge Road

(706) 354-8191

• Habitat for Humanity Thrift Store

532 Barber St.

(706) 354-0936

• Athens Area Homeless Shelter

620 Barber St.

(706) 354-0423

• J.C. & Friends, Inc.

1325 Cedar Shoals Drive, #101

(706) 461-4159

• Oasis Catolico Santa Rafaela (Editor's Note: Overwhelmed with requests as of Jan. 23, 2010.)

1465 U.S. Highway 29 North, Lot G-21

(706) 425-9177

• Oconee Heights Baptist Church

4180 Jefferson Road

(706) 548-4600

• Open Hearts Center Inc.

150 Old Winterville Road

(706) 354-8566

• Salvation Army

484 Hawthorne Ave.

(706) 543-5350

• Project Safe Thrift Store

955 Hawthorne Ave.

(706) 425-8863

• Sparrow’s Nest Mission Church

745 Prince Ave.

(706) 247-2365

• St. Joseph Charities

134 Prince Ave.

(706) 549-4208

• The Light

174 Henderson Extension

(706) 208-8066

• Athens Area Emergency Food Bank

640-B Barber St.

(706) 353-8182

• Athens First United Methodist Church

327 N. Lumpkin St.

(706) 543-1442

• Athens Urban Ministry/Our Daily Bread

717 Oconee St.

(706) 353-6647

• Cornerstone Church of God

2150 Lexington Road

(706) 549-0000

• First United Methodist Church

327 N. Lumpkin St.

(706) 543-1442

• Hill Chapel Baptist Church

1692 W. Hancock Ave.

(706) 543-1377

• New Covenant Worship Center

1425 Newton Bridge Road

(706) 613-5000

• Timothy Baptist Church

380 Timothy Road

(706) 549-1435

• Beech Haven Baptist Church

2390 W. Broad St.

(706) 548-7084