A generous gift from Hornets’ owner Michael Jordan will benefit low-income families in Charlotte, North Carolina.
A donation he made in 2017 is finally coming to fruition with the opening of a new clinic.
The services at the clinic will focus on physical, dental and behavioral health, and were all made possible by Jordan’s $7 million donation.
"I know where it all began. It begins here," Jordan said.
With tears in his eyes, Jordan told the crowd that the occasion felt like a homecoming and that he’s proud to give back to the community that’s already given him so much.
“As you can see, it’s a very emotional thing for me to be able to give back to a community that’s supported me over the years,” he said.
Novant conducted an assessment to see which area the clinic would be best suited for and found there was a dire need for such services in west Charlotte, one of the city’s poorest areas.
The 7,400-square-foot clinic has 12 patient rooms.
The goal is to provide access to health care for residents who may not have it. The clinic will also act as a resource to connect people with housing and food assistance.
“There’s a lot of people that are living here who are low income, they don’t have health insurance,” patient Sharelle Blake said.
If patients don’t have insurance or can’t pay for care, the clinic will connect them with programs to make sure they’re covered.
The clinic also connects people with housing and food assistance. It’s already served more than 300 patients since the soft opening three weeks ago.
“This is going to open many opportunities for the whole community,” said Blake. “Mr. Jordan cannot imagine just exactly what he did for me and my family.”
Jordan believes the clinic is just the beginning of a long partnership.
“Even if I’m not around, I think we're setting the blueprint that this is going to outlive us all,” he said.
A second clinic is planned for Brightwalk on Statesville Avenue and is expected to open by late next year.
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