The new funding would support refugee and immigrant services in Louisville.
Louisville, Ky. April 19, 2022. Americana World Community Center and Family Health Centers have joined to apply for an FY 2023 funding request through Representative John Yarmuth’s office. The proposed project is a renovation of the Americana World Community Center (ACC) that would create a permanent structure for the non-profit’s medical clinic and to house Family Health Centers’ (FHC) refugee and immigrant health in addition to the Survivors of Torture Services (STS) programs. In addition, this renovation will create a permanent space for the ACC Fiberworks Program and additional space for future support services growth.
Family Health Center Americana is one of the first to provide culturally appropriate care within neighborhoods where immigrants and refugees live, serving as the pilot location for the Kentucky Office of Refugees R. This includes mental and behavioral healthcare, making Americana the preferred primary car for many seen there for the first time in the United States. The clinic serves over 2000 patients annually in a double-wide trailer with small rooms, office space, and only four exam rooms.
This funding would support a renovation of three floors on the southern wing of the Americana Community Center building, which currently has over 9,000 square feet, update the roof, and add an elevator and other handicapped accessible features. This project will fully integrate the Family Health Centers medical, behavioral health, and support services into the Americana World Community Centers and their constellation of immigrant focused services. This project will more than double the size of the FHC-Americana clinic, increasing the number of exam rooms from three to nine, create dedicated space for behavioral health and the Survivors of Torture Services (STS), as well as space for on-site laboratory and support services. Furthermore, the renovation will provide the physical space for AWCC and FHC to expand services needed in our immigrant and refugee communities.
The Immigrant refugee population in Louisville is the fastest-growing population in the county. The UNHCR Refugee resettlement ceiling increases to 120,000 refugees in 2022, a number not seen in over eight years. Numbers will continue to rise due to the situation in Ukraine. People coming from all over the world resettle in Louisville because of the highly developed resettlement supports, reasonable cost of living for residents, and the welcoming nature of our Compassionate City. This Community Funding Project will ensure that Americana Community Center and the Family Health Centers can continue providing high-quality, equitable health care for a growing population as they are welcomed into our community.
However a limited number of projects will be recommended from each Congressional district, and community support is required to become an organization nominated for the funding. Louisvillians are known for their compassion and support of our refugee and immigrant neighbors. We need community support by emailing [email protected] or mailing letters of support to Americana Community Center: 4801 Southside Drive, Louisville, KY 40214; delivery must be by April 19th.
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ABOUT AMERICANA COMMUNITY CENTER: Americana’s mission is to provide holistic services to Louisville’s refugee, immigrant, and underserved population to build strong and healthy families, create a safe and supportive community and help every individual realize their potential. We are a grassroots non-profit in Louisville, KY, bridging the gap from surviving to thriving for more than 5,000 people from over 100 countries each year.
ABOUT FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS, INC.: Family Health Centers, Inc. (FHC) is a not-for-profit, federally qualified health center that provides access to high-quality primary and preventive health care services regardless of pay. Established in 1976, the Family Health Centers provides services to more than 40,000 individuals annually through seven health center locations throughout Louisville Metro. The Family Health Centers – Americana houses a Refugee Health Program and serves a culturally diverse population of immigrants and refugees. Learn more at www.fhclouisville.org.