Cherry Health has partnered with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to operate a Neighborhood Wellness Center inside Renaissance Church of God in Christ (1001 33rd St. SE). Located in Grand Rapids’ Garfield Park neighborhood, it is the only center in Kent County, serving the community three days a week.
Initially established as MDHHS COVID-19 testing sites, Neighborhood Wellness Centers (NWCs) have evolved to offer expanded community-driven services, often in areas with limited access to preventative health care. These centers provide no-cost health and wellness services. The Grand Rapids NWC is among 22 throughout the state, including Muskegon, metro Detroit, Lansing, Flint, Albion, and Niles.
Services include blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes screenings, as well as COVID-19 and flu testing. NWCs are staffed with on-site community health workers who can help connect people to resources for food, housing, and transportation, offer health counseling, and provide referrals to primary care providers, among other services. Services are available to anyone at no cost and without identification or insurance, and appointments are not required.
“Cherry Health is proud to partner with MDHHS and Renaissance Church of God in Christ to operate the only Neighborhood Wellness Center in the area,” said Cherry Health Chief Operating Officer Bill Joure. “The wellness centers aim to connect marginalized people to care, which is at the heart of Cherry Health’s mission. We look forward to seeking out and welcoming those who need our services and serving our community at this location.”
The Grand Rapids NWC is located at Renaissance Church of God in Christ, 1001 33rd St., and is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursdays from 1-6 p.m.
“Helping those with their health and connecting individuals to resources in the community is at the very core of Renaissance Church of God in Christ,” said Parris McMurray, the church’s senior pastor. “We are glad to open our ministry’s doors to Cherry Health and MDHHS to provide a Neighborhood Wellness Center right here in Grand Rapids and be a supportive partner in our community.”
About Cherry Health
Cherry Health, Michigan’s largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), operates in six counties across the state, based in Grand Rapids. With a team of more than 700 health care professionals at 20 locations, Cherry Health focuses on removing barriers, expanding access, and delivering comprehensive quality health care services to underserved communities, regardless of an individual’s insurance status or ability to pay. The nonprofit integrated health system provides primary care, dental, vision, behavioral health, pharmacy services, and more. For more information, visit CherryHealth.org.