Bringing H.O.P.E. to Delmarva

Story by Susan Martin

Sep 07, 2022

Donna Clark, RN, has been in the medical arena for many years. From working as a nurse in shock trauma to the delivery room to being a parish nurse with Salisbury Urban Ministries, she has a lot of knowledge concerning the health care community as well as many contacts. Throughout the years, she began to notice there was a strong need for assistance and advocacy when it came to health care. Many residents were lacking the necessary resources and knowledge regarding their medical and dental needs. She knew something had to be done.

Starting without funding to back her, she discovered ways to get people the help they needed. The heart behind H.O.P.E. Inc. began in 1997 with Donna as the “boots on the ground”. She worked out of her vehicle, walking the streets and connecting with the community to find out exactly what their health care needs were. Medicaid was new and scarce at the time, so a direct connection with the community and the residents was a necessity. Throughout her years working directly on the streets, Donna became a trusted supporter of the neighborhood.

After years of working solo, Donna added volunteers, stretching her reach into the area. Together they connected with the community and helped to link residents with the help they needed. After years of working from the back of their vehicles, Donna and her team were able to partner with Wicomico Presbyterian Church as a home base — and they have been residing in the basement of the church for the last 15 years. “We are very blessed and appreciative to the church for their support,” said Donna. 

What is H.O.P.E. Inc.?

H.O.P.E. Inc. is a health outreach for disadvantaged residents in Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset counties. Their primary service is offering these individuals help in obtaining identification cards, birth certificates and Social Security cards.

H.O.P.E. Inc. provides aid with dental care, financial assistance for medications and medical supplies, and Maryland state health insurance. Volunteers serve as advocates for residents. The health care system, medical terminology and processes can be confusing, so volunteers walk together with clients, helping them to translate and understand their personal health situations. Serving as helpers to those residents without communication or transportation resources, they also aid in confirming appointments and transporting them, reducing “no shows”. They not only aid with healthcare-related needs but also serve as emotional support and spiritual guidance.

H.O.P.E. Inc. has been a non-profit agency since 2007. Program funding is received through grants from organizations such as the Community Foundation, the Robert I. Shatner Foundation and the John B. Parsons Foundation. They also collaborate with 48 agencies in the Tri-County area in assisting with the health care needs of those area residents, including the City of Salisbury’s Housing Program, MAC Inc., the SWIFT team from TidalHealth and the ACT team from the Lower Shore Clinic. 

There are currently 17 volunteers on a weekly basis serving at H.O.P.E Inc. This strong, caring team serves a healthy lunch (prepared by the church) to clients, along with aiding them in their health care system needs. There are AmeriCorps volunteers on staff that help connect those in need to cold weather shelters and other needed services.

They are open weekly on Tuesday and Thursday from 10 am to 2 pm. 

Located in the basement of the Wicomico Presbyterian Church

129 Broad St., Salisbury, Md.
410-677-0757



hope@hopesby.com

www.helpandoutreach.com