FERGUSON, MO – ‘Community’ was the reoccurring theme for the groundbreaking ceremony celebration for the future Affinia Healthcare health center adjacent to the Emerson YMCA in Ferguson, Mo.

At the August 10 event, community supporters joined with leaders from Affinia Healthcare and the Gateway Region YMCA in celebration of the new collaboration.

“Providing a community health center to serve the city of Ferguson and surrounding communities with medical, dental, and behavioral health, and community outreach and support services, brings us so much joy!” said Traci O’Bryan, Affinia Healthcare Foundation Board of Directors. “As is our mission, we will endeavor to meet the needs of the underserved and often under-represented with dignity and respect.”

The new facility will be approximately 15,000 square feet in size, and include 23 medical exam rooms, four dental operatories, and four areas for behavioral health and Medication Assisted Treatment for substance use disorders (MAT). The total estimated cost for the project is $7.5 million. The projected completion date is late 2023.

This project is coming to fruition in part due to Congressionally-directed funding requested by U.S. Rep. Cori Bush (1st District-MO). Dr. Kendra Holmes, Executive Vice President and COO, commented that “Congresswoman Bush secured $2 million toward our project. We are very appreciative of her community advocacy and leadership, and also to other donors and funders who help make this expansion possible.”

Affinia Healthcare opened its first St. Louis County location in Pagedale in 2017. The nonprofit organization’s decision to expand into North St. Louis County is the result of a community health assessment that identified areas where unmet primary health care needs are prevalent.

“Our expansion into North County is aligned with our mission to ensure high quality health care is available to all in our communities,” said Dr. Alan Freeman, Affinia Healthcare President and CEO. “We welcome the opportunity to partner in Ferguson with a long-time community pillar in the North County area, the Emerson YMCA. We are extremely appreciative of this collaboration and look forward to providing health and wellness services to our patients in need.”

“Core to the Y’s mission is providing essential services that help strengthen the communities where we operate,” said Tim Helm, Gateway Region YMCA President and CEO. “We are so thankful to Affinia Healthcare for making this investment that will provide people of all ages in Ferguson and the surrounding communities with both affordable healthcare and more access to Y programs that improve individual health and wellbeing. The Emerson Y provides financial assistance to more than 3,000 members annually and this tremendous partnership with Affinia Healthcare continues to offer resources to help those who have the most critical need.”

When constructed, Affinia Healthcare at 3390 Pershall will be open Monday through Friday and is forecast to employ 35 new full-time staff. The facility will provide access to primary care and services for an estimated 8,675 individual patients per year who predominantly live in Ferguson and neighboring areas.