New Wellness Center Will Serve Homeless Population

A lack of resources is, in any city one examines, a critical problem facing the homeless. Access to food and shelter are common issues. A shortage of accessible medical services is another major one. Those without homes all too often have little or no access to healthcare, owing to a lack of insurance and money. In addition, there often are not clinics or hospitals closely available in areas where homeless people congregate.

Monica McCurdy is proud of the range of services at the new Wellness Center. Photo credit: CBS

In North Philadelphia, some of the city’s most needy citizens will now have access to all sorts of health-related services at a new Wellness Center. The Stephen Klein Medical Center, which marks an innovation in Philadelphia, will serve homeless and low-income patients with a host of both preventative services and medical care. The neighborhood in which the Wellness Center is located (at Cecil B. Moore Avenue and 22nd Street) is designated as “Medically Underserved,” and also bears the burden of the city’s highest rates of asthma, diabetes, and other illnesses.

Health Care Services director Monica McCurdy praises the Center’s “state of the art” care model and “high quality service,” and also points out that the Center is innovative in terms of its integrated approach to wellness. She says that citizens can “come under one roof and obtain a variety of services.” Patients will not only have access to treatment for chronic health issues, but will be able to access services that help prevent them.

The Center will boast doctors and a pharmacy, but also classes, support groups, and a Y at which people can work out to encourage greater wellbeing. Citizens without homes can also shower and do their laundry at a hospitality area.

It’s hoped that the Wellness Center will bring some much-needed hope to the neighborhood, which is otherwise pretty devoid of brightness.