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Grantee Spotlight: Olde Towne Medical and Dental Center

Grantee Spotlight: Olde Towne Medical and Dental Center

Jun 2, 2025 | Grantee Spotlight

Grantee Spotlight: Olde Towne Medical and Dental Center

By: WHF Staff

Olde Towne Medical & Dental Center was founded in 1993 as a public-private partnership in response to a community needs assessment conducted by James City County and the Williamsburg Community Hospital. The assessment results revealed a need for affordable health care in Greater Williamsburg that could serve the uninsured, underinsured, and Medicaid and Medicare-eligible patients.

At that time, there was only one hospital in Greater Williamsburg, and the closest health department was in Hampton. With no other local options for uninsured individuals and their families to seek affordable care, the area’s single emergency department was often overwhelmed with patients pursuing non-emergent care for their chronic conditions. Olde Towne was created as a primary health care facility to address the unmet medical needs in the area and alleviate some of the pressure on the emergency room.

Today, Olde Towne operates as a safety-net clinic and provides care to uninsured individuals with fees based on a sliding scale dependent on family income. They also accept commercial and government insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid. In addition to traditional primary care for adults and pediatric patients, they offer medication assistance, obstetrical, newborn, multiple specialty care, and integrated behavioral health services through partnerships with Bacon Street Youth and Family Services and Colonial Behavioral Health.

Recognizing that health is shaped by more than clinical care, Olde Towne’s staff also connects patients to community resources. Their strong connections with other agencies enable them to refer patients for other concerns, such as food and housing insecurity, domestic violence, and social services programs.

In Fiscal Year 2023-2024, Olde Towne provided care to 3,735 patients through 13,745 appointments; administered nearly 1,000 immunizations; provided over 400 free dental services to over 210 children; provided nearly 2,800 total medications valued at $2.8 million; and began caring for the dental needs of Eastern State Hospital patients. An estimated 82% of their patients were uninsured or covered by Medicaid or Medicare.

Williamsburg Health Foundation’s Continued Support

Olde Towne’s work aligns with the Williamsburg Health Foundation’s strategic plan commitment to strengthen the healthcare safety-net for uninsured and underinsured individuals. Since 1997, the Foundation has awarded 95 grants totaling $16.2 million to support the Olde Towne’s work. For more information about Olde Towne Medical & Dental Center and its services, visit https://www.otmdc.org.

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The Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) is an independent private health foundation with the mission to collaborate, innovate, and invest to impact systems that improve the health and well-being of individuals living in Greater Williamsburg. The Foundation was established in September 1996 when the Williamsburg Community Hospital and Sentara developed an affiliation agreement and later merged. This agreement included a provision for a new, locally organized, and managed Foundation to benefit community health. Since inception, WHF has awarded over $112 million in grants to improve community health and well-being. 

Boost!ing the Mental Health Workforce

Boost!ing the Mental Health Workforce

May 28, 2025 | Grantee Spotlight

Boost!ing the Mental Health Workforce: Dr. Chelsea Washington’s Story

By: WHF Staff

Dr. Chelsea Washington has always been driven to give back to her community. Thanks to the Boost! program from the Virginia Health Care Foundation (VHCF), she is on her way to becoming a licensed counselor in York County, Virginia. Boost! covers the cost of clinical supervision required for licensure, a cost which can be prohibitive for early-career professionals. By providing mentorship to motivated Residents in Counseling or Marriage and Family Therapy, or Supervisees in Social Work who self-fund their clinical supervision hours, Boost! aims to address the critical shortage of mental health professionals in Virginia.

Chelsea’s upbringing in Virginia Beach, influenced by her mother, a counselor, and her father, an attorney, instilled in her the values of service and giving back to the community. These principles helped shape her decision to enter the mental health field. Now, as a Resident in Counseling at Ellie Mental Health, Chelsea applies those values to support clients navigating mental health challenges.  

That work and her understanding of resilience took on new meaning after the unexpected loss of her husband of 25 years last October. “Life throws punches, and it is not just about getting back up, but it is really about the resilience to navigate the new space,” Chelsea reflects. These words resonate with her, both as a counselor and as someone walking through the grief process herself.

During this difficult time, support from her colleagues and VHCF has been invaluable. The VHCF staff guided Chelsea through a temporary pause in her participation in the Boost! program and the licensure process, offering compassion and encouragement until she was ready to resume. She expresses gratitude for the guidance and understanding provided by Boost! staff and her colleagues at Ellie Mental Health. “Without Boost!’s support, it would have taken me a much longer time for licensure, because I would have had to slow down after my husband’s passing.” Now resuming her path to licensure, Chelsea continues her work with clients while intentionally making space for herself and her healing. She understands that prioritizing self-compassion and self-care is essential not only for her own healing but also for her effectiveness in supporting others.

Committed to positively impacting her community, Chelsea’s journey in mental health counseling highlights how programs like Boost! can significantly increase the mental health workforce and provide essential support in areas facing critical shortages. The Williamsburg Health Foundation supports VHCF’s Boost! program through a $50,000 grant, which funds the required supervision hours for licensures of two behavioral health counselors and one licensed social worker in our service area: the City of Williamsburg, James City County, and York County. Upon licensure, Boost! graduates funded by the Williamsburg Health Foundation agree to a service commitment to practice in Greater Williamsburg for two years. This investment expands the mental health workforce in our area. By supporting and accelerating the licensure of mental health providers in Greater Williamsburg and across the Commonwealth, Boost! helps to improve earlier access for individuals experiencing mental health challenges, which can significantly improve their recovery.

Dr. Chelsea recommends that anyone who has recently completed a graduate degree in social work or counseling and is ready to begin their required supervision hours in Greater Williamsburg apply for Boost! “Don’t disqualify yourself—apply for the program! Because of Boost! and the Williamsburg Health Foundation, we are given the ability to serve the communities that need it the most.”

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The Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) is an independent private health foundation with the mission to collaborate, innovate, and invest to impact systems that improve the health and well-being of individuals living in Greater Williamsburg. The Foundation was established in September 1996 when the Williamsburg Community Hospital and Sentara developed an affiliation agreement and later merged. This agreement included a provision for a new, locally organized, and managed Foundation to benefit community health. Since inception, WHF has awarded over $112 million in grants to improve community health and well-being. 

Grantee Spotlight: Colonial Behavioral Health

Grantee Spotlight: Colonial Behavioral Health

Apr 30, 2025 | Grantee Spotlight

Grantee Spotlight: Colonial Behavioral Health

By: WHF Staff

Founded in 1971, Colonial Behavioral Health (CBH) serves as the Community Services Board for the counties of James City and York and the cities of Williamsburg and Poquoson. As the region’s publicly funded behavioral health agency, CBH acts as the single point of entry for individuals seeking mental health, developmental, and substance use disorder care.

CBH is committed to meeting people where they are, offering a broad range of person-centered care support for individuals across the lifespan. Services range from early intervention, outpatient therapy, and psychiatric care to crisis intervention, substance use treatment, and programs for individuals with developmental disabilities. In addition to direct care, CBH staff also work to build a more informed and supportive community. They offer a variety of mental health training opportunities throughout the year designed to equip members of the Greater Williamsburg area with skills to face mental health challenges.

For youth aged 6-18 and families facing complex challenges, CBH operates the Greater Williamsburg Child Assessment Center, which provides comprehensive specialized assessments related to mental health, substance use, and trauma, among other things. Following a child’s initial evaluation, staff provides care coordination , linking families to mental health resources and service options, family support, and other community-based assistance based on individualized need.

Williamsburg Health Foundation’s Ongoing Support

CBH plays an important role in expanding access to care, integrating behavioral health into primary care settings, and enhancing behavioral health services in Greater Williamsburg. This work directly aligns with the Williamsburg Health Foundation’s strategic plan goal to strengthen the healthcare safety net. Since 1998, the Foundation has supported CBH’s mission through 106 grants totaling $8.7 million. For more information about Colonial Behavioral Health and the programs they provide, visit https://www.colonialbh.org/.

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The Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) is an independent private health foundation with the mission to collaborate, innovate, and invest to impact systems that improve the health and well-being of individuals living in Greater Williamsburg. The Foundation was established in September 1996 when the Williamsburg Community Hospital and Sentara developed an affiliation agreement and later merged. This agreement included a provision for a new, locally organized, and managed Foundation to benefit community health. Since inception, WHF has awarded over $110 million in grants to improve community health and well-being. 

Grantee Spotlight: Lackey Clinic

Grantee Spotlight: Lackey Clinic

Apr 1, 2025 | Grantee Spotlight

Grantee Spotlight: Lackey Clinic

By: WHF Staff 

Lackey Clinic, located in Yorktown, Virginia, is a faith-based nonprofit providing free and charitable healthcare to uninsured adults in Virginia who are ineligible for Medicaid and cannot afford quality health insurance. The clinic primarily serves Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) adults earning between $12.41 and $25.00 an hour, many managing three or more chronic medical conditions. The services provided include primary and specialty medical treatment, dental services, eye examinations, virtual consultations, pharmacy services, connected health programs, and spiritual support. Their holistic approach allows comprehensive attention to patient health and well-being through a dedicated team of volunteer professionals and a committed staff.

30 Years of Compassion and Service

Dr. & Mrs. Shaw felt called to provide free healthcare for uninsured individuals in April of 1995. As cofounders, they began offering medical services one night a week in a Sunday school room in Rising Sun Baptist Church. The clinic later moved to a temporary home in York County’s Charles Brown Community Center, where they experienced steady growth in volunteers and patients. Ultimately, Lackey outgrew the community center, which necessitated a move to their permanent home, a newly constructed building on Old Williamsburg Road in Yorktown. Today, the clinic provides high-quality, compassionate care for 1,600 patients in their 10,000 square foot medical facility.

Volunteers and Community Support

Volunteerism is the cornerstone of Lackey’s successful clinic operation. With over 350 volunteers, including doctors, nurses, dentists, and pre-med students who serve in the role of support staff, the clinic provided over 5,700 medical, 2,400 dental, 480 eye care, and 500 behavioral health service appointments in 2024.

Patient Testimonials Tell the Story

Patients frequently share impactful stories about the care they receive at Lackey Clinic, highlighting how the clinic has improved or even saved their lives. “I have never seen this (level) of care, ever before in my life. Lackey has saved my life!” Former patient Paula Darden said, “You just don’t know how important it is to have medical professionals who actually care and don’t just treat you like a business.”

Williamsburg Health Foundation’s Ongoing Support

Lackey Clinic’s work aligns with the Williamsburg Health Foundation’s strategic plan goal to strengthen the healthcare safety net for uninsured and underinsured individuals. Since 2001, the Foundation has supported Lackey Clinic’s comprehensive care for uninsured patients to reduce the burden and progression of chronic diseases through 59 grants totaling $8.2 million. For more information about Lackey Clinic and their services, visit www.lackeyclinic.org.

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The Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) is an independent private health foundation with the mission to collaborate, innovate, and invest to impact systems that improve the health and well-being of individuals living in Greater Williamsburg. The Foundation was established in September 1996 when the Williamsburg Community Hospital and Sentara developed an affiliation agreement and later merged. This agreement included a provision for a new, locally organized, and managed Foundation to benefit community health. Since inception, WHF has awarded over $110 million in grants to improve community health and well-being. 

Grantee Spotlight: Williamsburg Community Growers

Grantee Spotlight: Williamsburg Community Growers

Feb 28, 2025 | Grantee Spotlight

Grantee Spotlight: Williamsburg Community Growers 

By: WHF Staff 

 Williamsburg Community Growers (WCG) is more than a community garden; it also serves as an educational destination for local schools and contributes fresh, locally grown, organic produce for hunger-relief organizations in Greater Williamsburg.  

WCG, located on an 11-acre site near Warhill Sports Complex, has transformed the easement underneath Dominion Energy’s powerline into an integral part of Williamsburg’s fresh food ecosystem. What began as a small community garden in 2016 with 15 plots has grown into a flourishing seven-acre farm with nearly 110 community garden plots, a two-acre teaching farm, open space, constructed wetlands, apiary (beehives), and a mulching/composting area. 

Education  

WCG cultivates a healthier community through their various education programs, health promotion initiatives, and sustainable gardening workshops. In partnership with schools and local organizations, WCG offers hands-on learning experiences for students of all ages. These programs cover lessons on sustainable farming practices, environmental conservation, and healthy eating habits. Additionally, WCG offers free workshops covering a multitude of topics, including composting, pest management, food preservation, and home gardening, allowing the broader community to benefit from their wealth of knowledge. 

Feeding the Community 

Local volunteers work side by side with Joseph Carlin, the Farm Manager, to grow fresh produce, much of which is donated to local food banks, including Grove Christian Outreach Center, St. Olaf Catholic Church’s Food Pantry, and Williamsburg House of Mercy. With the increasing price of fresh produce making healthy eating a challenge for many families, the fruits and vegetables donated by WCG help to offset grocery costs and increase access to nutritious, high-quality food. In 2024 alone, the garden produced over 13,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables and donated over 8,000 pounds of produce to local organizations serving Greater Williamsburg area families in need. 

In addition to donating fresh produce to local organizations, WCG also operates a weekly Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. For 24 weeks each year, individuals can purchase a share of the farm’s harvest, including various seasonal fruits and vegetables. The CSA proceeds support the farm’s operations, including WCG’s fresh produce donations.  

WHF’s Grant Support 

WCG’s work aligns with WHF’s Strategic Plan by targeting behavioral and social risk factors that influence the health of individuals throughout the life span by increasing access to healthy eating opportunities. WHF has supported WCG’s work to improve Williamsburg’s healthy food ecosystem through four grants totaling over $200,000 since 2021. To learn more about WCG’s programs, community garden plots, CSA, and upcoming free classes, visit https://www.growwilliamsburg.org/. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

The Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) is an independent private health foundation with the mission to collaborate, innovate, and invest to impact systems that improve the health and well-being of individuals living in Greater Williamsburg. The Foundation was established in September 1996 when the Williamsburg Community Hospital and Sentara developed an affiliation agreement and later merged. This agreement included a provision for a new, locally organized, and managed Foundation to benefit community health. Since inception, WHF has awarded over $110 million in grants to improve community health and well-being. 

Grantee Spotlight: W-JCC Recreational Soccer League

Grantee Spotlight: W-JCC Recreational Soccer League

Feb 3, 2025 | Grantee Spotlight

Grantee Spotlight: W-JCC Recreational Soccer League

By: WHF Staff

The W-JCC Recreational Soccer League, operated by the Virginia Legacy Soccer Club, offers free spring and fall recreational soccer for children ages 4 through high school in Greater Williamsburg. As the largest recreational soccer program in Greater Williamsburg, this program aims to ensure that every child, regardless of skill level or family income, can play, learn, and grow through soccer.  

Building Skills and Promoting Health

By eliminating the cost of participation, the W-JCC Recreational Soccer League welcomes children from all backgrounds to progressively improve their soccer skills along with their friends and peers from school. Participants receive coaching and an opportunity to practice fundamental soccer skills while building their confidence and learning the value of teamwork and sportsmanship. For youth participating in the league, the program’s impact goes beyond the actual soccer game. Other benefits of recreational soccer include improved cardiovascular fitness, reduced body fat, and improved mental health and well-being.

Access for All

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, about 300 students in Greater Williamsburg participated in free afterschool recreational spring soccer through the Virginia Legacy Soccer Club. In the fall season of 2021, seeing a decline in mental health among children in the community, Virginia Legacy approached the Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) for a grant to expand access to all children in the community. This led to an increase in that season’s registrations of about 500 children, for a total of 800 players. Today, approximately 1,500 children participate in the free spring and fall seasons, enjoying one practice per week and Saturday games at the Warhill Sports Complex.

WHF’s Ongoing Support

The W-JCC Recreational Soccer League’s goals align with WHF’s Strategic Plan by targeting behavioral and social risk factors that influence the health of individuals throughout the life span, specifically by promoting active living. WHF has supported the soccer programs of Virginia Legacy Soccer Club and their charitable arm, the Williamsburg Soccer Foundation, through 22 grants since 2005. Registration for the 2025 Spring Season closes February 28 and practices begin March 10. Visit www.valegacysoccer.com/rec to sign up and learn about volunteer opportunities.

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The Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) is an independent private health foundation with the mission to collaborate, innovate, and invest to impact systems that improve the health and well-being of individuals living in Greater Williamsburg. The Foundation was established in September 1996 when the Williamsburg Community Hospital and Sentara developed an affiliation agreement and later merged. This agreement included a provision for a new, locally organized, and managed Foundation to benefit community health. Since inception, WHF has awarded over $110 million in grants to improve community health and well-being.