Starke hub moving to permanent home
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
STARKE — The Health and Wellness Community Resource Hub in Starke is preparing to move into its permanent home at the RJE Complex on Pine Steet, and additional hubs are on the way.
Previously hosted at the Bradford County Faith and Community Center, Concerned Citizens of Bradford County will host the hub at the historic high school and is just one of a number of organizations to serve members of the public closer to home.
The hub is a one-stop to access a variety of services. The Community Partners providing services and resources at the Starke location include Bradford Health Department, Meridian Behavioral Health, Vocational Rehab, Elder Options, DCF Hope Florida Navigators, Catholic Charities Bridges to Prosperity, Feeding Northeast Florida (cooking demonstrations), Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resource Center, Center for Independent Living, and United Way VITA (free tax preparation).
The partners can tend to physical and mental health, help someone seek employment and plan a path to greater prosperity, provide insurance counseling, and more. There is no charge for these life-changing services.
The Starke hub will a take up residence at RJE beginning Thursday, Dec. 7. Twice a month — on the first and third Thursdays — the hub will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Located at 1080 N. Pine St., be sure to come early for the coffee hour.
On the day of the opening at RJE, which also begins at 10 a.m., Concerned Citizens will provide a tour of the recently renovated resource rooms and they will serve a light brunch. The renovations are part of an ongoing restoration of this historic and cultural landmark.
This is just the first big event announced for December, however. One week later, the soft opening for the Lawtey hub will take place.
On Thursday, Dec. 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. will be the first day for the Lawtey hub at Tatum Bros. Park, 22598 Park St. The hub should be open on the second Thursday of the month moving forward. The partners are recruiting volunteers and a host agency.
Among the participating partners, SHINE will be guest speaker for the event. SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) is a free program offered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs whose volunteers assist with Medicare, Medicaid and health insurance questions.
That’s not all. The partners will see their goal accomplished when the next hub opens in Hampton. The Arc of Bradford County has moved programs to the former Hampton Elementary School, and has set aside several classrooms to host the resource hub.
That opening date for the Hampton hub will be announced in the future.
