Downtown Greenville’s Triune Mercy Center, a non‑denominational mission church that serves the city’s homeless population, announced on Nov. 13 that it has been awarded a $464,960 Healthy Greenville Grant from the Greenville Health Authority. The grant will fund the two‑year Integrated Health Access Program, a bold effort to bring coordinated health care services directly to the Center’s facilities.
Healthcare Navigation Hub to address unmet needs
The grant will also launch a new Healthcare Navigation Hub staffed by a full‑time nurse case manager, a full‑time health navigator, and a part‑time psychiatric physician assistant. The hub will provide health assessments, chronic‑disease monitoring, psychiatric evaluations, medication management, appointment coordination, and connections to ongoing medical care and community resources for Greenville County residents facing homelessness, poverty, and other barriers to consistent care.
“The unhoused population faces unique challenges, including frequent emergency department visits and complex behavioral health needs,” said Sarah Branan, program director for the Healthcare Navigation Hub. “One of my goals for this program is to break the cycle of recurrent hospitalizations by providing targeted, sustained care and support. The Hub will advocate for participants, help them access health care, and address the social determinants of health.”
Faith‑based partnership strengthens community health
Triune Mercy Center’s mission is rooted in Christian service, and the new program reflects that commitment to whole‑person care. By partnering with MedStreet and the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, the Center will expand street outreach and connect unsheltered individuals with essential health services, embodying the biblical principle of caring for the least of these.
The initiative will also evaluate outcomes, strengthen partnerships among health‑care providers and community organizations, and develop a sustainable model that can continue beyond the grant period. This focus on lasting impact aligns with the Greenville Health Authority’s goal of creating healthier, more resilient neighborhoods.
Local impact and broader significance
Greenville County has long grappled with the health disparities that accompany homelessness. By placing a full‑time health team in the heart of downtown, the program aims to reduce emergency‑room visits, improve chronic‑disease management, and provide mental‑health support—outcomes that benefit the entire community.
Local leaders have praised the grant as a concrete step toward addressing the county’s most vulnerable residents. The partnership demonstrates how faith‑based organizations, public health agencies, and academic institutions can work together to lift up families and individuals in need, reinforcing the traditional family values that strengthen neighborhoods.
Looking ahead
Over the next two years, the Integrated Health Access Program will track key health metrics, share best practices with other nonprofits, and seek additional funding to expand services. Residents interested in learning more or supporting the effort can visit triunemercy.org.
Triune Mercy Center’s receipt of the Healthy Greenville Grant underscores the power of community‑focused, faith‑driven solutions to improve health outcomes for all Greenville citizens.
Original reporting: Greenville Journal — read the source article.
