Ribbon cutting recognizes nonprofit partnership

Published 12:15 pm Wednesday, May 22, 2024

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Nonprofit organizations are in abundance throughout Winchester. 

As of May 2024, the two are partnering to better the community. 

Foothills Health & Wellness Unit, offered by Kentucky River Foothills Development, Inc., celebrated its membership with the Winchester-Clark County Chamber of Commerce. 

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With its location just in front of Clark County Homeless Coalition at 275 West Lexington Avenue, CCHC Executive Director Steve Lenahan and other staff were on hand to celebrate. 

“Kentucky River Foothills is known throughout the region for providing just a ton of different services to many different populations,” he said. “For them to be here, we provide the space for them. We provide a lot of clients with access to healthcare, and they provide medical services. It’s a good partnership.” 

As noted in a press release from the Winchester-Clark County Chamber of Commerce, Foothills Health & Wellness Mobile Unit can offer numerous services, including primary care, lab work, well-woman care, and referrals to specialists. 

The unit is completely ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible and willing to take on patients with or without health insurance, as sliding-scale payment options are available for those without. 

Transportation to referrals is provided. 

And, while appointments are preferred, walk-ins are welcome. 

Hours of operation are every other Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

To make an appointment, call (606) 663-9011.

“The partnership excites me the most because it opens doors to other partnerships,” Lenahan added. “It’s a challenge for some of our clients in shelter and living on the streets to access healthcare. It provides a consistent healthcare experience for those individuals.” 

While Lenahan states that the homeless shelter through CCHC serves between 14-16 adults at any one time, the organization works with many regularly. 

“At any one time, we’re serving probably 100 plus…between outreach and between those who have housed up in different apartments,” he said, noting that another advantage of the mobile health unit is that clients won’t have to travel throughout the city.

Staff additions have also led to progress. 

“We’ve added a peer support specialist. That’s somebody who has gone through either a mental health or an addiction situation themselves,” Lenahan said. “They’ve got special training, so they’re able to relate a little bit better to those going through it.” 

Lenahan concluded by noting that he hopes to have additional partnerships in the future. 

“I’m personally proud of the work that we’re doing…that our partners like Kentucky River Foothills [are] trusting us with their resources,” he said. “We’re working hard and establishing a place that’s…reputable and a place that is well thought of in the community.”