Barnabas Center Press Release
Submitted by Mary Pitcher
Community Relations Manager
Barnabas recently announced an expansion of its health services at the opening of its new facility at 1303 Jasmine Street in Fernandina Beach. The new facility was named the J Wayne & Delores Barr Weaver Center after the major contributors to the agency’s building campaign.
The expansion of health services to lower income adults in Nassau County enables Barnabas to offer primary medical care and chronic disease management, mental health counseling, and vision and hearing screenings at its new location. The Barnabas food pantry has been expanded as well, allowing the agency to provide more fresh and frozen foods, as well as offering cooking classes to demonstrate ways to prepare healthy, nutritious meals on a limited budget.
Barnabas secured funding and resources to implement this comprehensive “medical home” approach for lower income adults that will integrate primary and preventative medical care with dental care and other services. The Florida Blue Foundation and Baptist Health awarded three-year grants to Barnabas, which will allow the nonprofit agency to hire staff and pay for other start- up costs. Mental health services will be available onsite through a partnership with Starting Point Behavioral Health, and will include services specifically focused on women and girls made possible by a grant by the Women’s Giving Alliance.
Vision and hearing services will be added through partnerships with CW Vision, Vision Is Priceless, and the Jacksonville Speech and Hearing Center. Nutrition education will be integrated through on-site cooking classes in a new teaching kitchen, focusing initially on patients with diabetes and other chronic diseases.
As a major nonprofit service provider in Nassau County, Barnabas is committed to increasing access to affordable, quality health care for lower income adults. Additionally, Barnabas offers services that help those in crisis get back on their feet with short-term aid including financial assistance, emergency food, clothing, and bicycles for job transportation. For information about its health or other services, contact Barnabas at 261-7000.
April 11, 2014 4:11 p.m.