The Center for Hope and Healing

Gold represents the highest level of achievement for breadth and delivery of services, responsiveness, staffing, and administration. The Center, which is the only free primary care facility in Northern Kentucky, has received the NAFC's "Gold Standard" for 4 years in a row. The Center is the health ministry of the Rose Garden Home Mission, an apostolate of the Franciscan Daughters of Mary in Covington. Besides healthcare, the Mission offers food and family resources to all who ask. Everything is free and relies entirely on donations and volunteers.

Our Funding

Our services rely 100% on volunteers and donations, including grants from foundations concerned with the health and social betterment of underprivileged and marginalized individuals and groups. We are truly grateful for all who support the well-being of our region's neediest individuals and families through us.

Our Work

Welcome to the healing services of friendly professionals; free of charge at the Center for Hope and Healing. Please tell us how we can help!

What hurts? What's the problem? What's on your mind? Come on in, for the hope of a brighter tomorrow.

Because of our commitment to uphold the teachings of the Catholic Church without exception, we do not accept government funding and its restrictions. This frees us to support the life and the dignity of everyone we encounter, born and unborn, regardless of age, sex, race, religion, or employment status. Nor do we deal with insurance companies, which allows us to practice "slow medicine," giving all the time needed to put patients at ease and ensure that everyone understands the issue, the best care plan, and the next steps for their future.

Despite our dedication to good stewardship, the costs of standard-of-care procedures continue to rise every year. We are so grateful for the benefactors who make our ministry possible.

You are lifesavers! God bless you all!

Our state-licensed facility is the only free primary care clinic in Northern Kentucky serving uninsured and under-insured indigent men, women, and children. All receive professional healthcare here at no charge. We have helped thousands of disenfranchised families and individuals, primarily from racial and ethnic minorities. Medical translators are available.

2024 Overview

In 2024, more than 30 health professionals saw

309 medical patients at 763 appointments;

47 dental patients at 89 appointments;

401 individuals at 1,130 visits to the weekly health ministry station near the Mission's food pantry and family resource center.

(see the Medical and Dental Clinic specific pages for more details on the services offered)

"You made me feel like a real person."

"I work but cannot afford insurance. This place is wonderful. It is the first time I have been able to see a doctor regularly in 3 years. Thank you to all of the people that work here."

"Thank you for being wonderful and caring. I love all of you and wish you all the best. Thank you for helping me get on track with my health. God bless all of you."

"The dentist was very kind and informative. No pain! I'm fortunate to be a patient! Thank you all very much."

"Super friendly and organized. Everything is just perfect. Keep doing the good work for humanity."

"They take time with each person and fully explain everything to you. They are caring, compassionate, and truly gifted. I cannot say enough about our clinic."

What Patients Say

Patient surveys confirm high satisfaction with our facilities, volunteers, and services.

Affiliations, Accreditation & Recognitions

The Rose Garden Center for Hope and Healing received 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in 2010. Our facility is state-licensed for ambulatory primary care services. All professional volunteers are fully credentialed; other volunteers must be enrolled with Virtus, the Catholic Diocese of Covington's protective program for minors and dependent adults.

The Center is part of the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC). In 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 we received the NAFC's Gold ranking, representing the highest achievement in administration, policies, and breadth and delivery of patient services.

Sheila Carroll, founder and Executive Director, was named one of ten Cincinnati Enquirer Women of the Year in 2019 for achieving her vision of bringing hope and healing to the poor here at the Rose Garden Home Mission — success for which she thanks God and all our benefactors.