Good Neighbor Day of Giving Op-Ed
Keeping our safety net intact
Elizabeth Austin and Todd Allen, for the Valley News
Our healthcare system is in a deepening crisis.
That’s a fact that’s been acknowledged and discussed for years but is now worsened by the sweeping reforms to funding for healthcare and medical research proposed by the Trump administration. The need for societal safety nets like free and nonprofit health clinics, developed over recent decades, is skyrocketing.
The Good Neighbor Health Clinic (GNHC) and Red Logan Dental Clinic (RLDC) in White River Junction have served the Upper Valley’s neediest and most vulnerable residents since 1992. In that time, we’ve seen demand for our adult primary care and dental services steadily increase: from 2022 to 2025, our scheduled medical appointments grew by more than 60%. Now, with proposed changes to Medicaid and Medicare and the freeze on federal grants looming, our dedicated, committed staff and volunteers are being challenged as never before to meet an ever-increasing need for
our services.
As we face the specter of dwindling federal and state support, how do we keep our safety net from unraveling?
Friday, April 25, will mark GNHC’s second annual “Day of Giving,” a special fundraising event to rally support for our mission to provide vital services to those in need. It’s a day where neighbors unite to make a difference, showing solidarity and generosity towards ensuring access to quality healthcare for all. We’ve set a goal of $10,000, which will be instrumental in sustaining the essential services offered by the Good Neighbor Health Clinic and Red Logan Dental Clinic. Donations will be matched up to $5,000 from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. Every dollar raised will directly contribute to providing medical and dental care to individuals and families who may otherwise go without.
We are blessed to live in a caring, giving community in the Upper Valley. GNHC and RLDC have benefitted from that generosity over the years. If you’ve been a donor to GNHC and other local organizations like us, we thank you. If you’re interested in contributing to our Day of Giving and would like to know more about us and our work, please contact us. We’ll be happy to share our successes as well as our challenges.
– Elizabeth Austin is the executive director of Good Neighbor Health Clinic and
Red Logan Dental Clinic in White River Junction. Todd Allen is chair of the board of trustees of GNHC and RLDC.