New Health Center for Low-Income Residents to Open in Anaheim

Health care workers prepare to receive patients at a free drive-thru COVID-19 testing site operated by the nonprofit Latino Health Access at St. Anthony Claret Catholic Church on La Palma Ave. in Anaheim, Calif., on Aug. 25, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Construction of a new neighborhood health center at Ponderosa Park in Anaheim, California, will begin in October, according to the city.

The 5,000-square-foot St. Jude Neighborhood Health Center will be located at 330 E. Orangewood Ave., between the Platinum Triangle and Anaheim Resort.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the new health care center was held on Sept. 28, including representatives from the city and St. Jude, masks, temperature checks, and social distancing.

St. Jude Neighborhood Health Centers was founded in 2011 to “provide access to medical, dental and mental health care for low income people in Orange County,” according to the organization’s website.

There are six other St. Jude Neighborhood Health Center facilities located in Fullerton, Orange, and Buena Park.

Services provided at the Anaheim location will include wellness exams, prenatal care, pediatric care, immunizations, diabetes care, chronic disease management, mental health treatment, dental, and vision.

According to the city, many families in the area have been impacted by the pandemic, and many of them don't have insurance.

“The families that will come here don’t always have access to healthcare,” Mayor Harry Sidhu said in a statement.

“Coronavirus has shown us that we need to ensure healthcare is available for our working families. This facility helps Anaheim do that.”

The center is expected to open in the second half of 2021.

The city also plans to revamp its COVID-19 information website starting Oct. 1, making it more mobile friendly and easier to navigate.

Residents will be able to more quickly navigate Anaheim’s rental assistance program, restaurant and retail relief program, and rebates for internet access.

At the same time, they will still be able to find daily COVID-19 case numbers on the website, grouped by ZIP code, city, and county.

Community Investment

The Ponderosa neighborhood has undergone many improvements in recent years, including a new library and school, which opened in 2010.

The local 9-acre park was renovated in 2016. The $16 million investment project began with a new 10,000-square-foot skate park.

A family resource center on the site was rebuilt in 2017, turning the facility into an 18,400-square-foot community center that provides recreation classes and other family services.

Another Ponderosa Park renovation was completed in 2018, adding a new playground, picnic areas, splash pad, community garden, and an outdoor entertainment area.