Providence Community Clinic celebrates 50 years of serving Spokane

For 50 years, Providence Community Clinic has been a place of healing, hope and dignity for some of Spokane’s most vulnerable neighbors.

What began in 1976 as a small outreach clinic serving people experiencing homelessness has grown into a trusted safety-net resource, providing compassionate care to those who face barriers navigating the health care system.

While much has changed over five decades, the heart of the clinic remains the same.

The clinic's story is deeply connected to the legacy of the Sisters of Providence and the values that continue to guide Providence ministries today. From the earliest days of the clinic, caregivers, volunteers and community partners have come together to ensure that those who are poor, vulnerable or marginalized receive the care they need.

"We feel honored to be torchbearers to the legacy of those before us," said Robert Lipman, manager of Providence Community Clinic.

Originally known as the Sacred Heart Medical Center Outreach Clinic, the ministry partnered with Catholic Charities to provide medical services within the House of Charity shelter. In 2017, after more than four decades serving patients in that setting, the clinic relocated to its current home in a historic Spokane building that once housed Washington Auto Carriage.

The building’s history carries a fitting symbolism. In the early 1900s, it was a place where horses, carriages and later automobiles were repaired and modified to meet community needs. Today, it continues a Mission of restoration, serving as a place where people can seek healing for both body and mind.

The clinic serves individuals facing homelessness, poverty, chronic health conditions and other circumstances that can make accessing traditional health care difficult. As a walk-in clinic, Providence Community Clinic provides care without fees, appointments or judgment.

For many patients, the clinic has become a trusted bridge to care and a consistent source of support during some of life’s most challenging moments.

"Our patients have learned to trust who we are and what we do," Robert said. "Our ministry has become a consistent light for those disadvantaged in the heart of Spokane."

As the community's needs continue to evolve, the clinic is preparing for the future while staying rooted in its outreach Mission.The Providence Inland Northwest Foundation is fundraising for the addition of a Medical Mobile Unit to support caregivers as they provide care in shelters, respite programs and other community settings. The mobile unit will help extend services beyond the clinic's walls and create private, safe spaces for patients receiving care.

The anniversary also offers an opportunity to reflect on the many partnerships that have helped sustain the ministry through the years. Collaborations with community-based organizations, grant funding and donor support have strengthened the clinic's ability to meet growing needs while remaining good stewards of Providence resources.

Looking back on five decades of service, the clinic's leaders are most proud of the countless caregivers, volunteers, donors and community members who have made this work possible.

Their message for the future is simple: continue carrying the Mission forward.

If Sister Peter Claver, whose vision helped launch the clinic's ministry, walked through its doors today, Robert believes she would be proud of what has been accomplished.

"I think she would be proud of our ability to do a lot with a little," he said.

Fifty years after its founding, Providence Community Clinic continues to embody that spirit every day, bringing healing, compassion and hope to those who need it most, and serving as a lasting reminder that even small acts of care can have a profound impact on a community.