S.A.Y. Detroit Family Health Clinic completes one year

Dec 18 2009

Today marks the one year anniversary of S.A.Y. Detroit's Family Health Clinic, the nation's first free 24-hour clinic for homeless children and their mothers. With a growing homeless population and an increasing number of children without medical coverage, the clinic - which is funded entirely by donations by citizens and businesses - has to date, served more than 1,046 patients during 3,500 visits, marking a successful first year.

"It's been an amazing year. With some 100,000 Detroit children without healthcare coverage, the need is so critical for this type of service," said Dr. Chad Audi, president and chief executive officer, Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries. "Thanks to the generosity and support of private citizens and businesses, we have made a difference in the Detroit community this year with the S.A.Y. Family Health Clinic."

Operated in cooperation with Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, the Family Health Clinic - located in the former St. John Hospital facility at 211 Glendale in Highland Park - is designed to provide free maintenance and preventative healthcare for children who are uninsured and / or underinsured. The clinic also provides maintenance and preventative healthcare for adult women who typically accompany their children to the clinic. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the clinic accepts walk-ins and also operates a pick-up service at numerous Detroit-area shelters.

The clinic was founded by S.A.Y. Detroit, a non-profit organization formed by Mitch Albom that is dedicated to helping the Detroit homeless, with the help of sponsors such as Cooper-Standard Automotive. The clinic began with a six-member staff, which has since grown to include nine additional physicians, 15 non-medical volunteers and 25 students from institutions such as Beaumont Hospital, the Detroit Medical Center, the Children's Hospital, Wayne State University's School of Medicine and College of Nursing, University of Michigan Dearborn and Flint, and three local medical assisting training programs.

"Cooper-Standard congratulates the S.A.Y. Detroit Family Health Clinic as it celebrates its first successful year in offering medical care for the children of Detroit's homeless," said Jim McElya, chairman and chief executive officer, Cooper-Standard Automotive. "This is the answer to the prayers of many Detroit families who have never had consistent access to medical care."

In addition to expanding its staff, the clinic has also grown its services to now include a full-service lab, x-ray services, indigent consultations, a lecture series, massage therapy and full vaccination services for children less than 18 years of age. Additionally, the clinic has the full support of Beaumont Hospital, which provides free specimen pick-up, results drop-off and x-ray services.