Summer 2020
LEGACY COMMUNITY OPERATING BOARD Alex Jessett Chairperson
Legacy responds to the COVID Crisis
Naveen Pinglay Vice-Chairperson Richard “Ricky” Davidson Treasurer Ryan Martin Secretary Marissa Taler At-Large / Executive Committee
At Legacy Community Health, we know a thing or two about enduring hard times. We trace our roots back to the 1980s and the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. When hospitals refused to provide care for the gay Americans who were dying, Legacy opened its doors to treat those suffering from the physical and mental anguish of an HIV diagnosis. Unfortunately, it appears our experience caring for the underserved is important once again.
George Burch Abigail Caudle, M.D. Taryn Hargrove Gore Gary Hammett Bryan Hlavinka Mariana Chavez Mac Gregor, M.D. Amanda Goodie-Roberts Johnson Olatunji Neftali Partida Devin Vasquez
LEGACY COMMUNITY HEALTH ENDOWMENT Tripp Carter Chairperson
Today we face another crisis with the COVID-19 pandemic. Infection rates are rising despite efforts to curb the spread, and the resulting economic fallout will have far-reaching consequences for thousands of people and their families. The unemployment rate in Texas has doubled in recent months, and that means more people will be living under the federal poverty line and trying to stay healthy without the benefit of employer-provided health insurance. We are working to ensure that these people know they can come to us for their care and we are gearing up for a 30-40% surge in uninsured patients before the end of the year. More than 33% of Legacy’s existing patients don’t have the insurance coverage they need to stay healthy, so this increase will mean an even more significant number of our clients will need help paying for their care.
Legacy was the first in Houston to provide publicly widespread, publicly available COVID-19 testing, with more than 3,250 people tested to date.
Brent Whiteley Vice-Chairperson Mike Holloman Treasurer
Most of Legacy’s service lines are now available via telehealth.
One of Legacy’s COVID-19 screening locations Thanks in part to the generosity of Legacy’s donors, we had the flexibility necessary to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic before anyone else, even the City of Houston. We are hoping that we can count on their philanthropic support again, as we’ll need their donations to help us keep our promise of seeing patients, regardless of their ability to pay. We’ve been fortunate in recent months to receive significant private grant funds from longtime supporters like The Brown Foundation, as well as donations from new partners like the Alice Kleberg Reynolds Foundation and the William Stamps Farish Fund. We hope to keep this momentum going for as long as COVID-19 threatens the health and safety of our communities. I hope you all stay safe and healthy. Please follow the advice of medical experts across the globe, as they have encouraged us to wear a face mask in public, practice social distancing, and limit our time running errands or venturing out into crowds. Together, we can flatten the curve and drive a healthy change that is felt across our great nation.
Bryan Hlavinka Secretary George Hawkins Mark McMasters, M.D.
BOARD MEMBER EMERITI Melanie Gray Melissa Mithoff James A. Reeder, Jr. Monsour Taghdisi Claire Cormier Thielke
Legacy’s Pharmacy is encouraging the community to stay home by offering free medication delivery.
Our staff has the knowledge and experience necessary to put together care plans, help patients access government grants, enroll them in discount prescription drug programs, and refer patients to outside specialists who will work to make their care affordable. Our budget for uncompensated care—that is care we provide for which we are not reimbursed—is currently around $20 million per year, and we expect to spend that money faster than ever in the coming fiscal year.
Masks are mandatory for staff and patients
Katy Caldwell, Legacy CEO
------- CALL TO ACTION ------Legacy Community Health has spent more than $8 million fighting COVID-19. That number will rise as more people lose their jobs and insurance. Please consider a donation supporting Legacy’s commitment to drive healthy change in our communities.
https://www.legacycommunityhealth.org/development/donations/
Remembering our friend, Jackson Hicks Legacy Community Health lost a great friend, and the City of Houston lost one of its shining lights, when Jackson Hicks passed away on April 25, 2020. He was a true Houston jewel, a bright spot who could light up the room and make all of his guests feel special whether they were part of a crowd of thousands, or one person in a party of four. The word legend gets thrown around too much, but it certainly applies to Jackson Hicks, a man known for his incredible ability to remain calm in the face of a crisis. In the early 1980s Jackson was one of the first responders to the AIDS pandemic and, for three decades, used his personal leadership and professional resources to benefit organizations such as The Names Project Foundation’s AIDS Memorial Quilt, amfAR, Project Inform, Classical Action, DIFFA, Omega House, Bering Community Service Foundation, Montrose Counseling Center, AIDS Foundation Houston, The Center for AIDS Research and Advocacy (where he founded The Holiday Schmooze), Montrose Clinic, The Assistance Fund, and Legacy Community Health. He helped to raise millions of dollars to end the pandemic and bring hope to those living with HIV/AIDS. He was my guiding light and guardian angel during three natural disasters. When Hurricane Katrina hit in August of 2005, I was Director of Development for the Society for the Performing Arts. Our annual luncheon was scheduled for that September at the Wortham Theater Center, and we were uncertain as to whether we could or should still hold the event. Jackson personally called to reassure me, and helped keep me calm by saying that the show would go on, even if we had to make a few adjustments. Hurricane Ike ripped through our city three years later, leaving thousands without necessities like electricity, running water, and basic shelter. I had moved on to Legacy Community Health by this time, and our Annual Luncheon was scheduled for that September (again at the Wortham Theater Center). I’m not sure who called who first, but once again Jackson assured me the show would go on. He was right, as was so often the case, and the luncheon was a success despite changing the date and having a guest speaker not show up. Finally, there was August 2017, a month that’s seared into the memories of all Houstonians thanks to the ravages of Hurricane Harvey. Once again, Legacy’s annual luncheon was scheduled to be held shortly after a major storm passed through town, and once again the Wortham Theater Center was to be our house. Right away we knew the show could not go on this time, and so Jackson and Company pivoted, turning the luncheon into a successful cocktail party that drew rave reviews and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. We honored Jackson in 2011, which just happened to be the 30th anniversary of both Legacy and Jackson & Company. It was also the year we opened our flagship Montrose Clinic, and I remember vividly how excited Jackson about the new clinic. After spending years raising money for the underprivileged, and years supporting the Montrose Clinic when it was a small converted house, he knew how much the 40,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility
Milton Townsend, Chree Boydstun, and Jackson Hicks
would mean to community. Even now, nine years later, Legacy’s Montrose Clinic stands as a beacon of hope to people struggling to stay healthy, and I know Jackson was proud of how far we had come. Jackson taught me so much throughout the years that it’s hard to know where to begin. There’s no doubt that he made me a better fundraiser, and it’s no exaggeration when I say I wouldn’t be where I am today without his guidance and support. Jackson showed me the importance of gratitude and humility in our lines of work, as he understood how significant it was when people put their trust in you. From former Presidents to Hollywood stars, hundreds of clients counted on him to provide an exceptional dining and party experience, and he never took that for granted. The same holds true for the fundraising profession, as those who donate money to Legacy must be confident we will steward their resources well. Jackson taught me the importance of treating everyone the same, regardless of their social stature. Jackson believed that everyone deserved to be treated like family and welcomed with open, loving arms, which is why every event he hosted received his personal touch. For example, he knew that Katy Caldwell, Legacy’s CEO, absolutely loved his gingersnaps, so Jackson always made sure she left his events (be it a business luncheon or fancy cocktail party) with a container full of cookies with her name on it. Jackson pushed the envelope when it came to fundraising and party planning. Legacy has him to thank for years of successful events, especially Holiday Schmooze, the event he created to raise money for The Center for AIDS (CFA). Legacy acquired the CFA, and Jackson’s support continued as we held our own Schmooze event for several years. He also encouraged me to be adventurous and supported the first ever vegetarian menu at the 2016 Legacy Luncheon. Opinions vary on whether that menu was a hit, but you can be sure it was a memorable event that people talked about for weeks. Personally, I miss my friend. I miss the kind, generous man who was a true gift to those around him, and a hero of Houston’s non-profit community. I miss seeing him with his beloved Milton, as the two of them made a fabulous couple and an amazing team. I miss Houston’s Prince of Parties and the heart and soul behind some of my most cherished memories. I miss Jackson. Rest in peace my friend.
Legacy’s #Task4Masks Campaign Protecting Patients and our Staff
We want our clinics to be safe, healthy places for our patients and our staff. Legacy’s team has worn masks and other protective equipment since the pandemic began, and we are now requiring all patients to wear masks, too. The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Unfortunately, many patients arrive at Legacy’s clinics without one. That’s why we’ve launched the #Task4Masks campaign. With your help, we can provide a reusable cloth mask for every Legacy patient who comes through our doors. We are also accepting mask-making materials or masks collected from other suppliers.
Legacy Volunteer Svcs Manager Debbie Costello and David Peck
Add a Task4Masks to your to-do list! For more information, contact Debbie Costello at dcostello@legacycommunityhealth.org or 832-541-5994. You can also head to http://bit.ly/task4masks to learn more.
Graced Ministry
Pediatric and adult masks are needed
Signature Emergency Care Montrose
Legacy’s Driving Healthy Change in Beaumont The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the Beaumont area especially hard, where the unemployment rate of 18.1% is the second highest in Texas. Legacy’s team at our two Beaumont clinics is building partnerships to meet the growing health care needs of people affected by the economic downturn.
Legacy Stagg Clinic
The Three Rivers Council of Boy Scouts is donating proceeds from its newly-designed Frontliners patch to Legacy Community Health. The patch honors the first responders who have worked diligently through the COVID-19 crisis.
Legacy hosted the inaugural Agency Connection event for the United Way of Beaumont and North Jefferson County. This new series of meetings aims to share information and inspire collaboration between the UW’s partner agencies. The COVID-19 lockdown meant our Legacy Stagg clinic team had to quickly revamp the initial meet-and-greet into a successful virtual agency tour.
Tucked in Tuesdays with Dr. George
Josh Davis
Legacy’s Josh Davis joined Dr. Belinda George, principal of Homer Drive Elementary, for Tucked in Tuesdays. Dr. George reads a bedtime story every week on Facebook live, staying connected to her students and encouraging their love of reading. Josh promoted Legacy’s Little Readers program and announced Legacy will be giving every student at Homer Drive Elementary a book.
Legacy Southwest
News from the new Legacy Southwest Last December, we completed the vision of our Building Healthy Families Campaign with the opening of the new Legacy Southwest Clinic. The two-story building expanded our ability to provide pediatric and adult medicine, OB/GYN services, and pharmacy services for the Gulfton community.
We could not have constructed this state-of-the art clinic without the generosity and support of our campaign supporters. Unfortunately, the pandemic postponed the grand opening and tour we’d planned this earlier this year. All of us at Legacy look forward to welcoming you to the new Southwest clinic with a rescheduled celebration event. Stay tuned for details! The Southwest building is also the home of the new Sharpstown pharmacy. Both Legacy and non-Legacy patients can obtain prescriptions and refills, immunizations, medication counseling, and therapy management. We also offer same-day PrEP appoint ments with screening, lab tests, and counseling. Convenient, coordinated care between Legacy pharmacists and clinical staff means we can ensure patients follow medication schedules and refill prescriptions for better health outcomes. Legacy Sharpstown Pharmacy
How the Coronavirus Relief Law Helps Retirement Savers and Retirees By Jim T. Miller, Syndicated columnist, NBC Today Show contributor and creator of SavvySenior.org The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, was signed into law by President Trump in late March. Tucked inside were a series of changes that can help retirement savers. These changes can help those in need of cash, as well as help preserve the retirement savings accounts of current retirees while the stock market is down. Here is a rundown of how three provisions in the CARES Act might help you or someone you know.
Hardship Withdrawals
Normally, if you took money out of an employer-sponsored retirement plan or IRA before 59½, you would be hit with taxes plus a 10% tax penalty on that amount. The CARES Act waives the early distribution penalty on up to $100,000 of distributions in 2020 for “affected individuals.” You must still pay income taxes on any amounts withdrawn, but the new law allows you to pay the taxes over three years. Additionally, if you recontribute the amount withdrawn back into your plan within three years, that amount will not be taxed. To qualify for this penalty-free hardship withdrawal, you, your spouse or a dependent must have been diagnosed with coronavirus (COVID-19) or have experienced adverse financial consequences as a result of COVID-19. This includes being quarantined, furloughed, laid off, having work hours reduced, being unable to work due to a lack of child care due to COVID-19 or closing or reducing hours of a business you owned or operated if you had COVID-19. .
Bigger Loans
The CARES Act will also allow you to take larger loans against the money you have saved in your 401(k) or 403(b) during the six-month period after the law was implemented on March 27, 2020. IRAs do not allow loans.
Normally, you can borrow only up to $50,000 or 50% of your vested account balance, whichever is less. The CARES Act doubles that amount - up to $100,000 against the amount you have saved in your plan. Borrowers typically have five years to repay a loan or the amount will be treated as a distribution and taxed. But if you leave or lose your job, you may be required to pay the balance back early, you could owe taxes and you may face an early-withdrawal penalty. This provision also helps those with an existing 401(k) loan by allowing them to delay repayments that are due in 2020 for one year.
Suspended RMDs
Beginning in 2020, individuals who turn 70½ after January 1, 2020 are required to take annual mandatory distributions from their taxdeferred 401(k)s and IRAs when they reach age 72. In prior years, the age of required distributions kicked in when savers turned 70½ years of age. This requirement is known as the required minimum distribution or RMD. The CARES Act suspends RMDs for 2020, including those for inherited IRAs. This means you can skip taking a distribution this year if you wish. The temporary waiver of RMDs will help retirees who would otherwise have been forced to base their minimum withdrawals for 2020 on their account balances as of Dec. 31, 2019, when the stock market was near record levels. It will also give the market time to recover before resuming distributions in 2021.
Join our Circle of Caring by leaving a bequest or planned gift and change a life forever. For more information, visit Legacy’s Planned Giving website at http://lchplannedgiving.org/ or contact Timmy Martinez at tjmartinez@legacycommunityhealth.org or 713-203-7221.
Legacy’s doctors, providers, clinic staff, and the employees who support them are working harder than ever before. We could not care for our communities – and ourselves – without the generosity of our steadfast supporters. THANK YOU for your donations of food for our front-line workers, medical supplies, supportive services, and critical funding as we all drive healthy change in our communities!
FOOD DONATIONS
sweetgreen/World Central Kitchen
Benjy’s
Snapper Jack’s Catering
Tacos A Go Go
H-E-B
Kindred Montrose
Niko Niko’s, Christie’s Seafood & Steaks Restaurant, and Avenida Brazil Churrascaria L&T Technology Services
Houston City Councilmember Abbie Kamin Girl Scout Troop 123072
Visiting Angels Living AssistanceServices
It’s a Wrap! mobile bistro
Clif Bar & Company
Michael’s Cookie Jar and the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce
MEDICAL SUPPLIES
MASKS
Masks and thermometers from Spectrum Uniforms
Legacy Southwest pediatrician Dr. Yong Han and Christ Church Sugar Land donated masks for our young patients
Dr. Faryan Jalalabadi-Delpass and Family and Sima Ladjevardian
Linda Smith
Seventh Generation
OTHER SERVICES
Tents supplied by The Events Company & Richard Flowers
Beaumont Yard Greetings
State Senator Carol Alvarado and #UberHealth donated rides to transport patients
Donations received March 1, 2020 - June 30, 2020
“Gratitude is the memory of the heart.”- Jean Baptiste Massieu 2H Offshore Aetna Foundation, Inc. Air Alliance Houston Alaina Larsen Alice Kleberg Reynolds Meyer Foundation Allen Brown Allison Thigpen Andrew Edmonson Arturo Monzon Avenida Brazil Churrascaria Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation Barbara J. Neustaedter BBVA Beaumont Yard Greetings Benjy’s Blind Goat Bonnie Geppert Brenda Fant Broadway Cares/ Equity Fight AIDS, Inc. Bryan LeBlanc Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company Candace Cagle Cherry Block Craft Butcher & Kitchen Christ Church Cathedral Christie’s Seafood & Steaks Christina Stewart Claudette Guerrero Clif Bar & Company Clinton Heider Common Bond Bistro & Bakery Community Health Choice Crescent City Fundraising Crowd Source Rescue Cuc Lam CynergisTek Cynthia Jones Daniel Gutierrez David Peck Dewitt Matthews Dish Society Don Ford Stuart Dr. Damien Larkins Dr. Faryan Jalalabadi-Delpass and Family Dr. Yong Han Dr. Jeanette Hagan Dr. Jeannie Banh Dr. Joseph Kass Dr. Mary Sue McGovern Dr. Natalie N. Vanek Dr. Siddharth Prakash Dr. Virginia Allen Dr. Yi Wang Dr. Yvonne Cormier East End Chamber of Commerce Ellen Landis Eric Barefoot Eric Morse Facemask OC Team Flip ‘n Patties Franci Neely Fulton Heights Conservation Gary Hammett and David LaDuke Gary M. Killingsworth
Gene Wu and the Chinese Civic Center George Burch Girl Scout SJGS Troop 123072 Giti Zarinkelk Glenda Dickinson Glenna Pierpont Graced Ministry Gulf Coast Distillers H-E-B Helena Vanwijk Hindi’s Libraries Houston City Councilmember Abbie Kamin Houston City Councilmember Leticia Plummer Houston Delta Gamma Foundation Houston East End Chamber of Commerce Houston Endowment’s “We Can Do More” Initiative Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce It’s a Wrap! mobile bistro iTouch Diamonds Jack Parker Jacobson Family Foundation James H. Hazen James S. Sikorski Janet Thielke Jeanette Garza Jeffery Rose Jennifer Tuttle Arnold Jerson Ramos Jessica Perdomo JoAnn Takasaki Joanna Han Joel L. Laser Johnson Olatunji Karen F. Reifel Karla Brown Katie Netherton Katy Caldwell Katya Abazajian Keith Rudy Kindred Church Kristi McLeod Kristin Ramos L&T Technology Services Leona’s Bake Shop Liane Bailey Linda Cantu Linda Cohn Lisa Baldon Little Caesars Enterprises, Inc. Mabel Zavala Maggiano’s Mai’s Restaurant Marcello’s Alterations Maria Delcarmen G. Osawa Maria E. Cantu-Ondarza Mary Ann Spencer Mary Cesaratto Masks of Hope Mauro M. Flores Melange Creperie Mercedes Leal and Tammi Wallace
Michael C. Holloman Michael’s Cookie Jar Michelle Williams Montrose Emergency Center, LLC Mr. and Mrs. Cody Dolan Mr. and Mrs. George Brookover Mr. and Mrs. Henry Heinbuch Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Janda Mr. and Mrs. Steven Stephens Na Kim Nancy C. Allen New York Life Foundation NextSeed Nicola Fuentes Toubia Niko Niko’s Ninon Rogers Noelle Huang and the Houston Asian Volunteers Onion Creek Patricia Dolan Peli Peli Phyllis Zendejas Pizza Birra Vino Precinct 3 Judge Lucia Bates and Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia Quality Life Fitness Quest Trust Company Randall Beard Richard Flowers & The Events Company River Oaks Hospital Clinic Sanjay Bapat Seventh Generation Sewn Goods/ Houston Collaborative Snapper Jack’s Catering Spectrum Uniforms State Senator Carol Alvarado and #UberHealth Stephen Stellenwerf Sweet Tomatoes sweetgreen Tacos A GoGo Taqueria Arandas Terri Griffin The Classic The Honorable James Kovach and Mr. Ben Montalbano The R. Norman Bailey Charitable Fund The Waffle Bus The William Stamps Farish Fund the/ Clifford Group, inc. Third Wave Volunteers Timothy J. Martinez Tropa Z Fitness Trudy Nix Veronica Martinez Visiting Angels in Beaumont Vmware Foundation Wanda Johnson Woodland Mask Makers World Central Kitchen Yvette Ayala Christ Church Sugar Land Sima Ladjevardian
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P.O. Box 66308 Houston, TX 77266-6308
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