Grand Opening of Santa Clara County’s First African-Centered Community Health Clinic

— The grand opening ceremony will be on Thursday May 4th, 11am to 2pm —

San Jose, CA — Members of the media are invited to attend the grand opening celebration of Roots Community Health Center, South Bay. Roots Grand Opening Ceremony will commence at 11:45 a.m. The program will include sentiments from Santa Clara County Supervisor Ken Yeager, who has played an instrumental role in establishing the African centered health clinic. Roots Community Health Center was founded in East Oakland in 2008 to address the growing need for accessible, culturally appropriate, community-responsive, comprehensive health care for Oakland residents, and has since grown into a multi-service, multi-site organization. Roots is now further broadening its impact, aiming to eliminate health inequities and improve health outcomes for African/African ancestry residents of San Jose.

In 2013, Supervisor Ken Yeager, while serving as Board President, called for an in-depth health assessment focused on county residents of African ancestry. The study, conducted by the Santa Clara County Public Health Department and The Black Leadership Kitchen Cabinet in 2015, concluded that an African-centered health clinic was needed to address the disparities that exist among African/African Ancestry residents. The African Ancestry Community in Santa Clara County has suffered from higher incidences of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C infections, as well as increased rates of diabetes, hypertension, cancer and other morbidities. Roots Community Health Center seeks to address the disparities that exist by serving as a medical home, offering primary care, community outreach and education, and wrap around services. Roots will co-locate and partner with Ujima Adult and Family Services, and mental health outpatient clinic to offer complete holistic care.

Start up funding for the culturally responsive clinic was provided by the Santa Clara Board of Supervisors by a unanimous vote in August of 2016, confirming the urgent need to address the African community’s health inequities. The funds helped to secure and build out existing office space adjacent to Ujima Adult & Family Services located at 1898 The Alameda in San Jose. The 2,500 square foot facility boasts a welcoming reception area, 3 exam rooms and a multi- purpose room designed for community programs. “We look forward to opening our clinic doors and making an impact in Santa Clara County,” said Roots Community Health Center Area Director, Alma Burrell. “The work we do will change lives and improve health outcomes.”

Event Details:
Members of the media are invited to tour Roots Community Health Center and learn about the primary care and mental health services offered. Media are encouraged to take photos and video of the new clinic location. Dignitaries, partners, and other attendees will be available for interviews following a brief program and remarks.

When: Thursday, May 4, 2017 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Program begins at 11:45 a.m.

Where: Roots Community Health Center, “B” 1898 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126.

Quick Facts:

* Founded in 2008, Roots Community Health Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to improving the status of health of California residents. Roots implements its mission by providing high-quality, comprehensive and culturally appropriate health care, by implementing direct service models to increase access to care and thereby prevent the need for emergency services, and by coordinating cross-agency liaisons to ensure a more efficient continuum of care.

* Roots Community Health Center was founded to address the growing need for accessible, culturally appropriate, community-responsive, comprehensive health care in San Jose, California. Specifically, Roots aims to eliminate wide health disparities and improve health outcomes for uninsured and low-income residents of the community.

* Roots was awarded The Getting to Zero Mini-Grant funded by Santa Clara County under the leadership of Supervisor Ken Yeager. Roots’ goal is to reduce infections and provide early detection of HIV among African descent adults. Services will include PrEP and PEP administration, and universal, comprehensive STD/HIV screening and testing.

* Roots will provide testing and treatment programs to decrease the burden of Hepatitis C within low-income communities in Santa Clara County.

* Roots will provide family support services to decrease the disparity of infant mortality rates while increasing prenatal care services and education.

For more information about Roots Community Health Center, South Bay, including hours, location, please visit www.rootsclinic.org.

For questions about the Grand Opening Celebration, please contact Y’Lonn Burris at 510-777-1177 Ext. 272

 

PRESS CONTACT:
Y’Lonn Burris, Policy & Public Affairs Manager
Roots Community Health Center
510-777-1177 Ext. 272
ylonn@rootsclinic.org