Making Goochland a better place

 

Sally Graham

Sally Graham is a familiar face to many in Goochland as the Executive Director of Goochland Cares, https://goochlandcares.org/ the non-profit organization that provides a wide array of vital services to those in need. Earlier this year, Graham announced her retirement and has been succeeded—she cannot be replaced—by Andrea Ahonen who has served as chief executive office since August. During its November 6 meeting, the Goochland Board of Supervisors recognized Graham for vital contribution to the community.

In 2000, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church outreach ministry founded the Goochland Free Clinic to provide access to health care for county residents without insurance. Graham, a nurse practitioner by trade, was appointed executive director. Funded by grants and donations, and run by volunteers, the Goochland Free Clinic started out in leased space under the old county health department with office hours one night a week using volunteer doctors and dentists.

In addition to providing health screenings, the early Free Clinic helped patients negotiate various programs to afford their medications.

Graham, who Dr. Bob Bennett, medical director and now, contended, “has a way of getting people to do what’s needed. She’s a master herder of cats.” She has been a visionary leader since the start of the free clinic. She tapped the generosity of Goochlanders to share their time, talent, and treasure to help their neighbors and attracted a large and dedicated volunteer corps that make the organization a success.

In 2007, the Free Clinic merged with Goochland Fellowship and Family Services, which was also created to help neighbors in need with a goal helping those in need to better and healthier lives.

Over the years, services offered expanded and were housed wherever space could be found, which was not efficient or cost effective. In 2016, the organization’s board approved a capital campaign to raise $7.5 million to build a” one stop shop” putting all services under a 20k square foot roof and transition the house that had served as headquarters into emergency housing. The new building was dedicated in March 2018.

After a few years of operating under the somewhat jaw breaking name of Goochland Free Clinic and Fellowship and Family Services, the organization changed its name to reflect its mission to Goochland Cares in 2018.

All the while, Graham tirelessly expanded program offerings to fill needs, including the food pantry, mental health care and sexual and domestic violence services.

She worked with Patient-Centered Medical Home Collaborative, the Capitol Region Free Clinics Collaborative, the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, the Richmond Region Domestic Violence Collaborative, EmpowerNet, Goochland Community Partners, Community Partnership for Oral Health, Goochland Rotary, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, and has served by appointment by the Virginia Governor to the Richmond Region Initiative related to health care reform. 

Graham was honored by her peers as an Allen & Allen Hometown Hero in 2015; nominated for the Richmond Times Dispatch Person of the Year in 2016; named a YWCA Richmond Outstanding Woman of the Year in 2019; and inducted to the Goochland County Wall of Fame in 2023.  

Goochland has been blessed by Graham’s compassion and dedication to improving the lives of those less fortunate.

The annual Jingle Bell Bazaar, which benefits Goochland Cares, will take place on Tuesday, December 10 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Richmond Country Club,12950 Patterson Avenue, Henrico, VA, 23238.