Health care needs increase as Hope Center expands

By Charnika Jett
Mar. 26, 2009    ·    11:34 a.m.

What is known as a major non-profit organization to thousands of Ypsilanti residents is getting a much needed expansion.

Hope Clinic, a non-profit medical, dental and social service organization is expanding its building on Harriet Street to accommodate all of its services in one central location.

The $3.15 million investment will add on 23,500 square feet to the current Hope Center. The two-floor building will have eight exam rooms with new equipment and increased area for pharmaceuticals for the medical center and six treatment rooms with new equipment and modern, well-ventilated compressor rooms for the dental clinic.

In expanding the Hope Center, the staff hopes to be more effective in serving patients and clients, as well as increase the depth and breadth of Hope's positive influence on the community.

Peggy Cole, Campaign Coordinator at the Hope Center, explained the Hope Center is focused on the Ypsilanti community and cares about its clients.

“We're trying to achieve 100 percent barrier-free service right here," Cole said "It’s really important to us that it houses all of our facility services and that it provides a range of health care that we provide in one facility in order to reduce the agency’s overhead, maintenance and repair on the other buildings versus one."

Currently, the medical and dental clinics operate in different Ypsilanti facilities. When the expansion of the Hope Center is completed, all services will operate under one roof and will eliminate clients having to travel back and forth to other locations for different procedures.

Cole said the expansion of the building will “ease transportation challenges that certain people encounter.”

The new building will also erase communication challenges staff and volunteers face when trying to get information about the different services Hope provides.

“As you can imagine, it’s hard to feel connected to people you don’t see everyday,” Cole said. “And we would like our volunteers to feel connected and know that there are many staff in the clinic, other than just the area in which they work in.”

She explained a nurse who works at the medical center may not know of a service the Hope Center provides to families who may not own a washer and dryer. In the basement at the Hope Center there are more than five washers and dryers available to families for free.

A room nearby is a play area for children. If the nurse knew of this program, she could inform patients who are in need of some assistance.

The new expansion for the Hope Center seems to be coming at the right time. With the downturn in Michigan's economy, the Hope Center has seen a 25 percent jump in the number of patients seen since 2006 and 2007. Cole predicts the center will see even more visitors in the future.

“The need is really great and it’s growing," Cole said. “We’re seeing more and more people who have gotten laid off from the auto industry.”

But to the Hope Center’s delight, the economic climate has not put a halt to its fundraising efforts. According to Cole, the Hope Center is still managing to raise the money it needs to finish construction on the expansion of the building.

“Our Committee is doing very well despite the economic time," Cole said. "The level of commitment is high.”

Cole said Hope Center has raised approximately half of the funds it needs and aims to complete fundraising in January 2010.

In order to keep the operations moving, the 25-member campaign cabinet, made up of volunteers, representatives from the medical field, business field and church members, receive different types of donations from people and businesses.

Cole said they have received “a lot in-kind contributions from architect and engineering companies.”

If you would like to volunteer at the Hope Center, or give a donation, please contact Peggy Cole or Cathy Robinson at 734.484.2989.