JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Agape Community Health Center opened its newest location off of Edgewood Avenue on Tuesday, along with a ceremony and a health event. The center has also been focusing on breast cancer awareness and urging women to get tested.
Dozens of community members showed up to learn more about the health center and take advantage of its free services.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony symbolized a healthier community for Agape, officials said. The new health center seeks to bring more health care to the underserved area of Northwest Jacksonville.
"Health zone 1, we know, is a critical access point for health care disparities within our communities,” Agape CEO, Mia Jones said. “We have to make sure that we're in the place where people need to have the services."
Earlier this year, Agape received more than $2 million dollars in federal funding to operate independently as a federally-qualified health center. But that comes with some difficulties, officials said.
"We have to go out and raise money,” Jones said. “We haven't had to do that in the past because of our relationship with the health department, but now we have to do it in order to keep our doors open and (so) we can continue to provide the quality services we know the citizens of Jacksonville need."
Agape now has five community health centers across Jacksonville offering medical, dental and behavioral health services for not only those who are insured but those without health care insurance or are unable to pay.
"Yes, I do think it's needed in the community, because a lot of people can't afford medical care right now," Zenada Powell said.
Powell took advantage of the center’s free mammogram service. With a grant from the American Cancer Society and the National Football League, Precision Imaging Centers is able to use a mobile mammogram bus to screen women.
The bus has all the latest technology and the tools needed to perform mammograms. The process takes 10 to 15 minutes. The results will be sent to a patient's doctor and mailed to the patient in a few days.
Nearly 50 women were screened on the first day.
"It was amazing. Astonishing, really,” Powell said. “I can't believe they can get so many things on a bus."
Agape Community Health Center also screens for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other conditions.
"When we are able to deal with preventive measure and making sure they're getting the screening and they know the risk factors that will help us create a better quality of life for the entire family," Jones said.
Agape has five locations open in Jacksonville with a fifth location opening in November.
Find the Agape Community Health Center nearest you:
West Jacksonville (main office)
120 King Street
Jacksonville, Fla. 32204
Services: pediatrics and primary care
Wesconnett
5150-9 Timuquana Road
Jacksonville, Fla. 32210
Services: pediatrics and primary care
Northwest Jacksonville
3160 Edgewood Avenue West
Jacksonville, Fla. 32209
Services: pediatrics and primary care
South Jacksonville (opening in November)
6138 Kennerly Road
Jacksonville, Fla. 32216
Services: pediatrics and primary care
Magnolia Community Health Center
5316-18 North Pearl Street
Jacksonville, Fla. 32208
Services: woman’s primary care