Power a Light in the Dark
Capital Link Brings Emergency Power to Life for Vulnerable Communities
Capital Link and the CHARGE Partnership creates a nationwide resilient power program for FQHCs. Your contribution powers up critical health services, ensuring they remain a beacon in the darkness for communities during weather emergencies and power outages.
Your support for Capital Link is more than a gesture of charity; it’s a powerful statement of action towards strengthening health systems in the face of natural disasters. You're directly contributing to equipping health centers with essential power backup systems.
These systems ensure that when the grid fails, a community’s hope does not.
Your Donation Will Help:
What Is a Community Health Center?
A Community Health Center (CHC) is a non-profit, community-based health care provider. These centers focus on serving areas with limited access to healthcare and are committed to providing care to individuals regardless of their financial circumstances. Their mission emphasizies health care access for all and community well-being. Additionally, CHCs often serve as critical community hubs during emergencies, providing essential services and support when they are needed most.
The Growing Threat of Blackouts to Health Services
As the demand for electricity is projected to surge in the next decade, we need more renewable energy than ever. Unfortunately the risk of disruptions to the grid from storms, fires, and other natural disasters is more serious than ever. It’s essential to help health centers adopt resilient and independent energy systems to maintain critical services to protect community health.
Your support plays a critical role in empowering health centers to maintain essential services during emergencies. These contributions enable the installation of solar panels and back up battery systems that provide crucial energy resilience. For example, during blackouts, these systems ensure that health centers can continue to operate effectively, keeping these critical care facilities operational and maintaining the refrigeration needed to preserve vaccines and medications. This is not just an immediate impact on healthcare delivery – it also keeps health centers functioning as a community hub during a crisis.
Health Spotlights: Story of Resilience
CommuniCare+OLE's Napa Valley Vintners North Napa Health Center Campus
Photo Courtesy of Collective Energy Co.
San Fernando Community Health Center's Mott Street Clinic
The San Fernando Community Health Center (SFCHC) was facing skyrocketing energy costs when it decided to install a new resilient energy+storage system. SFCHC installed 106 kW of rooftop-mounted solar panels and a 52 kWh NMC with no upfront costs.
This initiative will provide 60% of the center's energy needs and ensure critical functions remain operational during outages. The health center is projected to save $200,000 over the next 15 years. This initiative not only stabilizes SFCHC's energy costs but also enhances the center's resilience as first responders.
Photo Courtesy of Collective Energy Co.
Mendocino Community Health Centers' Lakeview Clinic
Photo Courtesy of Collective Energy Co.
FAQs
What is a Community Health Center?
A Community Health Center (CHC) is a non-profit, community-based healthcare provider serving areas with limited access to healthcare. These centers provide comprehensive medical, dental, behavioral, and preventive health services to individuals regardless of their ability to pay. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), a specific type of CHC, receive federal funding to support a range of health services in underserved areas, enhancing healthcare access for all..
How does the partnership between Capital Link, CHARGE, and others work?
Capital Link collaborates with various partners, including the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) and Collective Energy, through the CHARGE Partnership to assist health centers in transitioning to renewable solar power. This partnership aims to enhance operational resilience and promote public health. NACHC focuses on outreach and education, while Collective Energy specializes in implementing tailored energy solutions. Together, they provide technical support, training, and financial guidance to ensure successful implementation of renewable energy projects at health centers.
How are donations to the Wells Fargo Attune Card used to enhance energy resilience and sustainability at health centers?
Wells Fargo collaborates with Capital Link to finance energy projects for health centers. Donations from Wells Fargo are directed to Capital Link, who then collaborates on the planning, financing, and installation of energy infrastructure such as battery storage systems. These funds help alleviate the initial costs of the projects, enabling health centers to invest in energy resilience. Additionally, Wells Fargo’s support extends to covering expenses related to project management and technical consultations.