New Haven, CT — Fair Haven Community Health Clinic, Inc. (FHCHC) has received a generous $30,000 grant from the Ion Bank Foundation to support its ongoing capital campaign for a new, state-of-the-art health center at its James Street & Grand Avenue campus in New Haven. The 35,560 square-foot, three-story building will augment FHCHC’s primary care services and provide a wide range of integrated health and community programs. With a focus on broadening healthcare access for vulnerable individuals and families in the Fair Haven area and beyond, the new facility is designed to serve a diverse patient population, address growing patient demand, and ensure that the health center continues to meet 21st-century medical standards.

“We are deeply grateful to the Ion+ Bank Foundation for their support,” said Dr. Sue Lagarde, CEO of FHCHC. “This grant is an important step in helping us expand our capacity to provide high-quality, accessible care. The new building will not only increase our ability to meet the growing healthcare needs of the Fair Haven community but will also serve as a ‘community hub’ offering essential services like financial literacy, digital literacy, and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. Additionally, we will be able to launch programs like our new food prescription initiative, which aims to address food insecurity and promote long-term health improvements.”

The new health center is expected to provide critical services to an additional 5,800 patients and 16,000 new patient visits annually. It will also create 50 to 60 full-time jobs with excellent benefits, many of which do not require a college degree and will be filled by residents of surrounding neighborhoods.

“Fair Haven Community Health Clinic has been instrumental in providing quality healthcare to the community,” said Kathleen Brochhausen, Executive Director of Ion Bank Foundation. “We are proud to support FHCHC’s vision of expanding healthcare access while also providing critical wraparound services to help address the broader social determinants of health. The new health center will be a place where health and community come together to create lasting positive change.”

The new health center is on track for completion in May 2025. Once operational, it will further FHCHC’s mission of increasing healthcare equity in New Haven by providing a safe, welcoming environment where all patients receive the care and services they need, regardless of their ability to pay.

About Fair Haven Community Health Clinic, Inc.

Fair Haven Community Health Clinic, Inc. (FHCHC) has been a trusted provider of primary and specialty healthcare services to the New Haven community since 1971. Serving more than 34,000 patients annually across 20 sites, FHCHC offers comprehensive medical, dental, behavioral health, and specialty care services, with a focus on meeting the needs of underserved populations. Guided by our mission “To improve the health and social well-being of the communities we serve through equitable, high-quality, patient-centered care that is culturally responsive,” FHCHC is committed to providing care that respects the diverse backgrounds of all people. Above all, we ensure that no one is ever turned away from receiving the care they need and deserve.

About the Ion Bank Foundation

The Ion Bank Foundation was established in 1998 to demonstrate our vision to build a legacy of good works to provide financial support to the communities that we serve. As a leading corporate citizen, we believe reinvesting in our communities is our most important duty as a mutual bank. Toward that goal, our Foundation has awarded over $12.6 million to deserving local community and charitable organizations since its inception. The Ion Bank Foundation supports organizations involved with health, arts and culture, education, human services, and community economic development.

https://ionbank.com/about-us/foundation/