$6.5 million awarded to Esperanza Health Center for construction and renovation projects

Non-profit faith-based community health center to add third North Philadelphia site in Hunting Park

President Obama announced yesterday nearly $600 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant awards to fund major construction and renovation projects at a total of 85 community health centers nationwide, including a $6.5 million award to Esperanza Health Center in North Philadelphia. Esperanza, a faith-based, bilingual, primary health care center, will use the award to establish a new health and wellness facility in the Hunting Park community.

The new facility is expected to have a significant economic impact on the community, bringing 56 construction-related jobs during the two-year renovation time frame, and 60 new permanent health care-related jobs when the facility is fully operational. Planned for a site near the intersection of North 6th and Cayuga Streets, the new 28,000 square foot center will transform an abandoned former warehouse building into an efficient, modern health care facility serving seven thousand patients.

According to Susan Post, Esperanza's Executive Director and a Hunting Park resident, "We are excited to have been selected from many applicants to receive this grant award for Hunting Park. These recovery funds will enable us meet the growing need for affordable, culturally-competent primary health care in North Philadelphia. The facility will also provide space to partner with other organizations in a variety of ways. I see this grant as a real blessing from the Lord for our community."

Services to be offered at the new facility include comprehensive primary care services for adults and children; a comprehensive HIV care program; behavioral health care services; nutritional counseling, health education classes; a small on-site medication dispensary for patients; and, multi-purpose space for recreational and fitness activities. Through additional classroom space available at the new facility, Esperanza will be able to expand its range of services, increasing the amount of preventative and health education/wellness programs offered.