25 years after firebombing, nonprofit Blue Mountain Clinic expanding and hiring

[Ptah]

When an anti-abortion arsonist firebombed the Blue Mountain Clinic in 1993 to stop it from providing legal access to abortions, the clinic’s staff had to decide whether they wanted to press on in the face of danger.

“As our community came together with us in solidarity to rebuild, we realized that our resilience in the face of adversity is truly a reflection of strong community support,” said executive director Annie Hansen.

Now, a quarter-century later, the nonprofit is bursting at the seams with 10,000 patients a year at its location on North California Street. The plan now is to enlarge the building and add an additional provider, with the expectation of increasing patient visits by 35 percent.

The clinic has announced it's raised $1.17 million of the $1.27 million it set as a goal for its “Raise the Roof” capital campaign. The final public phase of seeking donations will allow it to complete a second story on its current facility and rearrange the first floor.

https://missoulian.com/news/local/years-after-firebombing-nonprofit-blue-mountain-clinic-expanding-and-hiring/article_fd3fef9e-64f1-5ea3-9e38-4901fc8b6a04.html

The Blue Mountain Clinic Arson: March 29, 1993

On March 29th, 1993 at approximately 4:00 am the clinic was firebombed and completely destroyed by an anti-choice arsonist, Richard Andrews, in a violent attempt to stop the clinic from providing legal access to abortion care. It was later discovered that he was also responsible for setting clinics on fire throughout Idaho and Washington.

The arsonist destroyed the clinic. Fortunately, no one was harmed; and the Missoula community responded in an almost immediate call to rebuild. As our community came together with us in solidarity to rebuild, we realized that our resilience in the face of adversity is truly a reflection of strong community support.

After two and a half years of tears, sweat and generous support, the clinic was back on its feet in a new building specifically designed to withstand another attack. In September of 1995, the Clinic reopened in our current location on California Street.

Today, Blue Mountain Clinic remains is an Independent 501 (c) 3, non-profit organization that receives NO government funding. All donations are tax deductible.
http://www.bluemountainclinic.org/about-us/history/