Fowler Community Wellness Center opens in Bethlehem
BETHELEHM, Pa – Geisinger, St. Luke’s University Health Network (SLUHN), Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley (HCLV) and other nonprofit organizations came together Thursday, May 31 to celebrate the opening of the new Fowler Community Wellness Center, 502 E. Fourth St., Bethlehem.
The mission of the Fowler Community Wellness Center is to bring together leading nonprofit organizations to offer a range of services to assist area residents in leading healthy and productive lives.
These services include physical and mental healthcare, early childhood nutrition, wellness education, and a range of job readiness and job placement services.
“The Hispanic Center’s Board of Directors and staff are honored by the very generous gifts from leading companies, foundations and individuals in the Lehigh Valley and beyond,” said Donna Taggart, president of the center’s board. “This generous funding has made it possible for the Fowler Community Wellness Center partners to support the health and self-sufficiency goals of those seeking services at the wellness center.”
In addition to supporting building renovations, Geisinger Health Plan (GHP) has partnered with HCLV to develop several initiatives, including:
• Cultural training for Geisinger staff members
• Opioid addiction treatment referrals
• Women, infants and children support
• Employment and career training
• Senior independent living assistance
Thirteen organizations have signed on as Wellness Center Services Partners, including one hospital system, one school district, one city health bureau, four colleges and six regional health and human services providers.
The Vision for Renaissance Capital Campaign has raised more than $2.2 million to support Wellness Center renovations. The campaign also secured the funding needed to renovate the Basilio Huertas Senior Center, completed in March 2017.
The final campaign priority is securing funds to address long-standing capital needs at HCLV’s operations facility. Vision for Renaissance Capital Campaign co-chairs are St. Luke’s University Health Network President and CEO Richard A. Anderson, Lehigh University Professor Emeritus W. Beall Fowler and BASD Superintendent Joseph Roy.
About Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley
For the past 50 years, our mission has been to improve the quality of life of Hispanic and other families by empowering them to become more self-sufficient, while promoting an intercultural understanding in the Lehigh Valley. At HCLV, we believe in a community that embraces economic opportunity for all and sees its cultural diversity as a foundation for building a stronger society and a more vibrant economy. We also believe at the heart of change is the individual’s desire and willingness to pursue a path toward their own independence and self-sufficiency. All people deserve a “voice” in their community and government. All families have the right to a sustainable wage and an affordable home in a safe neighborhood. All children deserve a quality education and adults the opportunity to continue learning. Our senior citizens are valued members of society that deserve to live in an environment of dignity and respect. Progress is dependent upon the ability to form effective partnerships with others in the community. All HCLV staff and Board Members are accountable to our constituents, our donors and our community.
