St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center will mark three decades of serving the underserved with a community health fair. The center, which opened doors in 1993, will also invite visitors to tour the facility.
St. Joseph’s offers health care, counseling, and supportive services to the uninsured and those who are unable to use health insurance because of financial barriers. It has served roughly 35,000 patients at 226,000 appointments in the last 30 years, officials say.
The community health fair, scheduled for the morning of Dec. 8, will feature more than 12 community partners including Common Ground Health, Lifestyle Medicine at UR and Monroe County’s Office of Mental Health. These partners will be available to give referrals, guidance, and in some cases, medical screenings to attendees.
Attendees will also have an opportunity to tour the center that afternoon. So far, 150 people have registered for the open house celebration. In addition to the center’s officials, Rep. Joseph Morelle, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello, Malik Evans, mayor of Rochester and Sister Chris Wagner, former director of the center, are expected to attend the open house celebration. The fair and the celebration are free to the public.
“Not only are these two events taking place on the actual 30th anniversary of SJNC opening its doors on 12/8/1993, but they are both indicative of our ethos of service in partnership, which was started by the Sisters of St. Joseph 30 years ago and continues today,” says Jen Sahrle, executive director. “These events commemorate our 30th anniversary year and we’re delighted to open the Center up for clients, patients, neighbors both new and old.”
Last year, the Center served some 1,400 individuals at 5,800 unique visits. Typically the working poor, these patients come from the city of Rochester and its surrounding counties. The center works with several health care professionals, counselors, social workers and volunteers to attend to a variety of mental and physical health needs.
“The need for our patient-centered approach to caring for people is just as necessary today as it was 30 years ago,” Sahrle says. “The Open House gives us a chance to share a glimpse into what plans are for SJNC as we look to the next 30 years.”
Smriti Jacob is Rochester Beacon managing editor. The Beacon welcomes comments and letters from readers who adhere to our comment policy including use of their full, real name. Submissions to the Letters page should be sent to [email protected].
My sincere congratulations go out to St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center for thirty years of service to our community. The vision of the Sisters of St. Joseph to provide basic health related services for the uninsured and under-insured 30 years ago through a network of volunteer medical and social work providers has not only filled a serious need for individuals, but has also provided leadership as a model for quality healthcare beyond the boundaries of organized insurance. Their services are desperately needed and miraculously provided.