Pennsylvania Senator Art Haywood and Senator Judy Schwank visited the Berks Community Health Center in Reading Wednesday afternoon to present a $500,000 Health Equity Grant check to the organization.
The grants included $200,000 for promoting health equity through trauma informed care and $300,000 for expansion of their mobile health clinic, Wellness on Wheels.
Following the press conference, officials toured the health center and Wellness on Wheels Mobile Medical Unit, which will offer primary care services for ages 12 and up, including well check ups, diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic disease, and a dental services.
“Something that l’ve always appreciated is that this health center is for everyone. It’s not for a particular population. Anybody can get services here can come and receive the best quality health care that we have to offer in our community” said Senator Schwank.
Schwank added, “The addition of this mobile unit, we’re even furthering your outreach to the community. I understand talking with your doctors, director of health services, that we can even treat people for their dental needs on that mobile unit. That that’s pretty amazing. You’re the future of health care and you are in a community that needs it very, very much.”
The mobile health unit helps underserved communities overcome common barriers to access healthcare.
“With the support of Senator Swank and other Senate Democrats to get $10 million dollars allocated for health equity, we were able to identify organizations that have mobile clinics or those with a special focus on trauma informed care” said Senator Haywood.
Haywood added, “This work is critical for our neighbors and our neighborhoods. The efforts that you are undertaking to improve the lives of everyday people are commendable.”