Our Case
Statement
South of Market Health Center (SMHC) was founded over 35 years ago by a group of concerned neighborhood citizens that believed everyone should have access to quality health care services. Further, it was the belief of the founders that citizens should be instrumental in determining the health priorities for their communities.
South of Market Health Center is a private non-profit community health program committed to ensuring access to comprehensive primary health care and disease prevention services to low-income and medically underserved individuals and families with children. In support of this mission, our health center plays an active role in advocacy and policy development in reducing health disparities as well as the delivery of accessible health care services for the poor and uninsured.
As a catalyst for community health, our health center serves our patients in the context of their community, their culture ,their life experiences and the social and economic circumstances in which they live. Our clients are a diverse mix representing families, new immigrants, seniors, homeless persons and transients living in the area's single room occupancy hotels (SROs). Over half of our patients are living below the federal poverty level. Many have little or no health care coverage, and; nearly all experience some barrier inhibiting their access to traditional medical services.
The Problem
Since South of Market Health Center was established in 1973, we have provided care to more than 75,000 people. Currently SMHC is operating at its capacity, serving approximately 5,000 users and managing more than 20,000 patient visits a year. Recently, with the depressed economy, we are experiencing an even greater demand, growing ten to twelve percent over the last two years. This increase in our patient load results in delayed appointments and longer waits, causing some patients to delay needed treatment or to end up in emergency departments with more serious illnesses that are untreatable or require more costly treatment.
Additionally, our current facility is no longer acceptable, because:
- The physical site is a refurbished warehouse that was never designed for clinical services and currently has insufficient space to house all of our services and departments, such as social services, case management and our administrative services
- It's located in an alley off the infamous "Sixth Street Corridor", has poor visibility and presents an unsafe environment for patients and staff traveling to and from the clinic
- The building, damaged badly by the Loma Prieta Earthquake, was graded as unsalvageable by the City Public Works Department
The Solution
With the support of the City of San Francisco, South of Market Health Center joined with Mercy Housing California to develop a mixed-use project - Westbrook Plaza - that will include a new 20,000 square foot medical center and 49 units of affordable family housing. Once the new health center is open, South of Market Health Center will serve twice as many patients as it does today; thereby responding to the urgent need and demand for more primary and family health services in this growing region of San Francisco.
When Westbrook Plaza opens in 2010 it will include:
- A state-of-the-art community health center, with double our current capacity for medical and dental services
- On site social services, health education, case-management and a full-service patient and community pharmacy
- 49 units of affordable housing for low income families with on-site community space
- Close proximity to public transportation and limited on-site parking for staff and patients
South of Market Health Center will own and finance the health center and Mercy Housing California will own and finance the construction of the new housing units.
The construction budget for the new health center is $15.1 million. To date, SMHC has secured financing totaling $13.2 million (89%), which has allowed us to begin construction. This includes nearly half of our $2.5 million private fundraising capital campaign. SMHCs capital campaign includes foundation gifts and community support from corporations, individual donors, our board, staff and patients.
SMHC has an on-going campaign to raise $1.5 million. These funds are necessary to purchase medical equipment, furnishings and the new security and telecommunication systems which are part of our tenant improvement plans.
South of Market Health Center's capital campaign has garnered strong support from committed representatives of the private foundation, local businesses, as well as public service and healthcare communities.
We continue to invite new partners and donors to help us with completing this magnificent project. If you would like to get involved, make a contribution, or receive additional information, please contact Marilyn Griffin at 415.436.0111 or marilyn.griffin@smhcsf.org
|
