Centre Volunteers in Medicine has launched a $10 million capital campaign to support the purchase and renovations of the free clinic’s new long-term home along with permanent endowments that will ensure it can continue to meet the growing demand for services.
Prior to the launch of the public phase of the Building for a Healthier Future Campaign, Centre County’s only free clinic has already raised $6,081,000 toward the goal, executive director Cheryl White said at a press conference held on Thursday at the new facility, located at 2026 Sandy Drive in Ferguson Township.
“We are one step closer to our vision of a long-term, affordable facility where we can provide free health care to those in need,” White said.
Since it began in 2003, CVIM has provided free medical care, as well as dental care, behavioral health services and case management assistance to low-income, uninsured individuals who live or work in Centre County. Those services rely on support from the community, volunteer efforts and partnerships with Mount Nittany Health, Geisinger, Penn State Health and the United Way.
As demand grew, the clinic moved from its original headquarters on Easterly Parkway in State College to its current building on Green Tech Drive in Patton Township.
But the Green Tech Drive building’s 6,700 square feet of space “has greatly hindered” the organization in its ability to continue to increase its volume of patient care as needed, grow education and wellness programs, start new programs and add more volunteers.
“We require a facility with sufficient space for our patients, staff and volunteers and the consistent and reliable funding that is generated by permanent endowments,” White said.
Thanks to the first part of $2.5 million in state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program and lead gifts from the Hamer Foundation and community members, CVIM purchased the Sandy Drive building in October for $2.35 million.
When renovations are completed, the new building “more than 11,000 square feet of exam and office space in an energy efficient and technologically up-to-date building,” White said.
A medical wing will have nine exam rooms — including spaces dedicated to physical therapy, women’s services and eye exams. The dental wing will have six exam rooms and a sterilization lab, and the behavioral health wing will have four counseling offices and two eligibility rooms.
Also among the plans are an administrative suite, pharmaceutical area, lab area, group therapy rooms conference rooms, staff lounge, nurses station and other support spaces.
The capital campaign will help accomplish those renovations and move into the facility debt free. CVIM hopes to have work completed this fall.
It also aims to establish permanent endowments in each of CVIM’s services, for long-term needs to keep up with demand including equipment maintenance and replacement, medication purchases and funding improvements as needed.
“We must rely on the generosity and shared vision of our Centre County neighbors to make this possible,” White said. “This is how we will ensure the future of CVIM. And we need your help.”
State Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman, R-Bellefonte, who along with House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff, R-Bellefonte, helped shepherd the RACP funding for the project, said CVIM checked all the boxes for a worthy investment by the commonwealth. It has a social and economic return for the community; it’s needed and supported by the community; and it has passionate advocates.
“This is a great day because this project is so needed,” Corman said.
Benninghoff said CVIM is “a beacon for what this community represents,” because of the time and money residents dedicate to ensuring it succeeds in meeting its mission.
“The team at Centre Volunteers in Medicine serves our community selflessly, recognizing the dignity of every person and taking action to provide compassionate care to those in need,” Benninghoff said. “Centre Volunteers in Medicine is a shining jewel of our region and a testament to what people can do for the greater good when they pull together their passions, talents and resources.”
Until renovations begin sometime in the spring, CVIM is currently using the new facility for COVID-19 vaccine clinics, which are open to all community members and do not require that they be CVIM clients.
Since vaccines became available last year, CVIM has administered more than 43,000 vaccines, which White said is the most of any free clinic in Pennsylvania.
“CVIM has played a critical role in meeting the health care needs of our community for more than two decades, including helping thousands of our friends and neighbors get vaccinated against COVID-19 over the past year,” Corman said. “I am thankful this grant will allow them to expand their operations to serve even more local families.”
To donate or for more information on the campaign, visit cvim.net/building-a-future.
