New health center catering to homeless and those in need found in downtown Lexington
Originally published by WEKU.
Downtown Lexington is home to a partnership of agencies working to provide services for the homeless and others with similar needs. A ribbon cutting on Thursday served as an introduction to a new medical offering.
The Isaiah House Community Health Center is a joint venture between the state’s faith-based addiction recovery organization and Lexington Rescue Mission. It offers primary care, counseling, parenting classes, intensive outpatient programs, dental services, and a pharmacy. Lexington Rescue Mission Director Laura Carr said the homeless often need serious medical attention.
“They don’t have access to regular consistent care. Just last year alone we had six clients who we were serving who had to have amputations because they hadn’t had the access to care that they needed,” said Carr.
Carr said primary care was a top priority to help reduce the need for emergency department care. The Rescue Mission shares space in the Second Street building with Isaiah House and Jubilee Jobs.
Trisha Goode came to Isaiah House for recovery services, graduated, stayed on, and is now a registered nurse there. She said the new health center is a game-changer.
“Cause it’s gonna completely treat the whole person. You know provide physical needs, mental health needs, medical needs. It’s huge. Cause you can’t just treat one part. You have to treat it all,” said Goode.
Appointments are being taken for services at 535 West Second Street. The Isaiah House, about a quarter century old, serves 35 hundred clients each year at facilities throughout Kentucky.
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Originally published by WEKU.
Republished with permission.
