BY CAROL MOSLEY
Telegraph Staff Writer
STARKE — The new Community Partners Health and Wellness Resource Hub cut the ribbon to open a new home for wellness resources for anyone who needs them. The goal is to cut through the red tape to get residents connected with the services they need.
Concerned Citizens of Bradford County hosted the Grand Opening at the Faith Community Center in Starke. Guests were greeted by the elegant Bradford High School jazz band performing on the front lawn to everyone’s delight. After the ribbon was cut, the crowd was free to partake of refreshments and visit the tables full of information and promotional goodies such as calendars, bag clips and rubber exercise squeeze balls.
Commissioner Carolyn Spooner and County Manager Scott Kornegay were there to show the county administration’s appreciation. Spooner expressed her admiration saying, “The Concerned Citizens of Bradford County is an important group in our community which strives to improve the quality of life for all. The Bradford Community Hub is a giant step in bringing much needed services into the northeast region of Starke. This will make it so much easier for people to come to a central location for the many services needed, thereby saving people time and addressing the lack of transportation in getting to so many different service providers. I thank God for this community partnership with all of the service providers, Concerned Citizens and the leadership of Iana Patterson of Bradford County Health Deptartment in bringing these services to fruition.”
The programs offered are designed to encourage healthy lifestyle habits as well as provide opportunities in education and employment. Some provide training while others offer advice or counseling. Some assist with financial support or physical needs. The Community Hub will connect people with those programs and services.
The project is an initiative of the Florida Department of Health, and other Hubs are being coordinated regionally. Concerned Citizens of Bradford took the lead to bring these services, open to all, in a centrally accessible location. Together, the groups operate as Bradford Community Partners.
The Community Hub will operate out of the Faith Community Center, at 721 Old Lawtey Road in Starke, until the RJE Community Center makeover is completed. The Hub will be open from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. each Tuesday and Thursday. Groups offering services will sign up for 1-4 hours slots. The public can see which groups will be on site at which times by going to www.bcfaithcc.org. Walk-ins are welcome. Local groups wanting to provide services to the community can sign up at www.bcfaithcc.org.
The services being offered include: blood pressure monitoring, diabetes prevention, mental health counseling, disability services, veterans services, elder affairs, SNAP, welfare transition, adult education, job skills, parenting skills, youth development, GED training/classes, financial literacy, employment services. Even though not all service representatives will be on-site at all times, residents can still gather contact information and utilize the computers.
Iana Patterson is the Human Services Program Specialist for the Bradford Department of Health. Her specialty is Minority Health and Equity Liaison. Her passion for assuring equity in health options was an impetus for bringing this Community Hub to our community.
“It is our hope the hubs will bring needed resources and services to the local community that will give everyone a fair chance for better health and wellness. I hope everyone will see the value and take advantage of it.”
If you need help and you’re not sure where to go, the Community Hub is a good place to start. They can steer you to the agency or organization that specializes in your need. For more information contact Iana Patterson at [email protected] or call 904-964-7732, ext.1600.
