Catholic Charities has opened a health care center in the former Nativity Roman Catholic Church on Buffalo's West Side. They expect to provide primary and dental care for at least 600 refugees this year.
Inside the former Nativity Roman Catholic Church which @ccbuffalo has turned into a health care center @WKBW pic.twitter.com/IoelqmXncm
— Desiree Wiley (@DesireeWiley) March 21, 2016
"About 90% of them resettle on the west side," said Dennis Walczyk the CEO of Catholic Charities.
Walczyk said the health center is in the perfect spot giving refugees a "one-stop-shop" because they have to get a health assessment within 30 days of resettling.
"What we see when they get here in older people is chronic illness like diabetes and high blood pressure," said Dr. James Collins from Mobile Primary. "We also see a lot of malnutrition. A lot of the children are underweight."
.@ccbuffalo health center offers primary + dental care. 60 refugees have been seen so far. They are open M-F @WKBW pic.twitter.com/5XNWlioOyi
— Desiree Wiley (@DesireeWiley) March 21, 2016
Right now the 2016 Appeal is underway. It's a push to raise funds that Catholic Charities uses to support their 70 programs including the health center.
"Its not over. Yesterday was our last report Sunday," said Walczyk. "It will be running until the end of June. We're very well along our goal to reach $11 million."
.@ccbuffalo serves abt 130,000 refugees a yr. They expect @ least 600 refugees will use the health care center which opened in Jan @WKBW
— Desiree Wiley (@DesireeWiley) March 21, 2016
Mobile Primary provides primary care services for refugees and the Baker Victory Dental Center is providing dental services. The services aren't free but the center does accept Medicaid.
The center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m and is located at 20 Herkimer Street.
