ABOUT US

In January 2002 the clinic separated from the Opportunity Council and became its own entity. Historically Interfaith Community Health Center was operated by the Opportunity Council, nonprofit Community Action Agency, established in 1965, that carries 501 (c)3 status. The Opportunity Council, the Interfaith Coalition - an ecumenical group of 46 church congregations and the local hospital - and the Whatcom County Medical Society began the Interfaith health care program in 1982, to provide triage and referral services for low-income people who did not have access to basic health care. In 1983, because of the diminishing number of dentists accepting Medicaid patients and the limited dental services available in the community for low-income patients without insurance, Interfaith Clinic developed a dental referral service. In 1987, the Opportunity Council's health care programs expanded to become the Interfaith Family Health Center. In 1997, recognizing an identified behavioral health issue in over 40 percent of its patients, the clinic initiated a behavioral health program.

The Mission of the Clinic is to provide affordable, primary medical, behavioral health and dental services for low-income people, and to forge community partnerships in providing such care.