Ford Wellness Center Construction Begins as Weingartz Family Foundation Challenge Continues

Construction of the new Ford Wellness Center on the campus of the Samaritan Center on Detroit’s east side began in August. The Wellness Center is a 30,000 sq. ft. facility that will include classrooms, a gym, chapel, kitchen, walking track and ten operatory dental clinic. The Ford Wellness Center will host health and fitness classes for all ages; youth recreation programs; dental services for those on Medicaid or without health insurance; and community meeting room space. Partners in the project will include the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, Community Dental Clinics of Michigan, ThinkDetroit/PAL, the Blanche Kelso Bruce Academy, and St. Rose Senior Center among others.

The Ford Wellness Center is being made possible by generous gifts from the Ford Motor Company, the Kresge Foundation, the Ray and Marie Weingartz Foundation, and the Dick and Betsy Devos Family Foundation among many others. A construction loan is helping us to begin construction, but the goal is have as much of the $5.2 million total cost raised as possible before the projected opening of September 2010. Earlier in the year, the Ray and Marie Weingartz Foundation offered a “challenge grant” with the commitment to match all donations up to $500,000. This opportunity to have your donation “doubled”: is still available and much needed.

For future updates on the Wellness Center construction and news about other projects please check the Samaritan Center website at www.samaritan-center.net or the Holy Cross Children’s Services website at www.hccsnet.org.