The
Volunteers of America Michigan (VOAMI) serviced more than 4,000 unique homeless people in the Lansing area last year. Patrick Patterson, executive vice president of VOAMI has been witnessing up to 400 of those in need resorting to emergency healthcare services because of a lack of access to medical care for years.
"It's just been a long to watch the pain and suffering," Patterson says, "and the medical costs."
Thanks to a partnership with
Sparrow, VOAMI a new medical clinic will soon be available to the homeless in Lansing. The clinic will be located at the VOAMI site on N. Larch St., and is expected to serve serve an estimated 3,400 each year, many of whom are currently unable to access the government health benefits available to them.
The better access to healthcare will certainly benefit the area homeless, but Patterson says the economic impact will also benefit all of Lansing.
"We're looking at an opportunity of $60 million a year," he says, "This could bring significant economic stimulus to Lansing."
Work on the 6,400 square foot development has begun, and Patterson is hoping for a January or February 2014 opening. The $800,000 project will be funded by a federal grant and Sparrow, and the clinic will be staffed by Sparrow personnel.
Source: Patrick Patterson, Volunteers of America Michigan
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor
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