Free Clinic of the New River Valley Inc

The way things were: Rooted in HEALTH. Motivated in HOPE. In 1979, a group of concerned citizens came together with a vision to create a response to a problem that had persisted in the New River Valley (NRV)for generations. Lower-income people in the NRV couldn’t afford the critical health care they needed. Their care options were limited…or, in some cases, simply didn’t exist.

The founding visionaries responded by hosting free medical clinic nights in donated space on downtown Christiansburg Square. They relied upon the generosity of local physicians to provide care until the last patient was seen. There were no paid staff but a growing group of volunteers who kept things running. Two years after the doors opened, the group gained non-profit status and the Free Clinic of the New River Valley was born. 

Over the next 15 years, the number of patients and volunteers grew steadily as did the clinic nights in borrowed spaces. Finally, in 2002, the Clinic received a permanent home: the old Roberts Motel. The facility was imperfect, but through light remodeling and modernization we were able to steadily serve patients Monday through Friday. 

The way things evolved: A new APPROACH. Exponential GROWTH. As the organization evolved, the old Roberts Motel served as a beacon for Health, Healing and Hope to New River Valley residents. The clinic was now well-established and enjoyed strong support from the local community. It grew to become one of Virginia’s largest and most sophisticated free clinics.

As the response to the healthcare crisis evolved nationally, the free clinic was presented with the opportunity to apply to the US Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to become a Community Health Center (a federally-supported entity that accepts patients without regard for ability to pay. 

Through a very rigorous and fiercely competitive application process, we succeeded on our first attempt in 2013 and re-opened our doors as the Community Health Center of the New River Valley on January 2, 2014.

Although now a Community Health Center, the charitable mission remains the same as that of the founders: to provide affordable and high-quality medical, dental, behavioral, and preventive healthcare services to people of all ages and circumstances, regardless of ability to pay.

The way things can be: A NEW HOME for Health, Healing and Hope. In 2001, we purchased three adjacent plots of land on which to build a modern, much larger facility. The new facility will allow us to establish roots that will sustain us for decades to come. The larger facility will enable us to hire more medical, dental, and behavioral health practitioners and, therefore, serve more people.

The New River Valley will benefit significantly from a thriving Community Health Center with a modern, well- equipped, dignified facility. The larger facility will ensure that this region stays healthy and productive as it continues to grow in population and statewide significance. Truly, a healthy community equates to a greater quality of life.

Access to affordable health care yields a more stable regional workforce, more productive employees, and the opportunity to fulfill hopes and dreams.

We invite you to join us on this extraordinary journey. A gift to our New Home for Health, Healing and Hope campaign is a gift that can be seen and experienced and will endure for generations. It is a thoughtful and compassionate gift that will elevate Virginia’s New River Valley region to prominence as a wonderful place for people of all ages to live, work, and care for one another. Everyone needs Health, Healing and Hope. Together, we can build this.