Thanks to a $1 million dollar pledge to the Racine Community Health Center (RCHC), the community health center is closer to becoming a reality. 
“We are thrilled to be the first health system to support the Racine Community Health Center, which will provide essential access to residents who need it most,” said Bernie Sherry, Ministry Market Executive, Ascension Wisconsin, and Senior Vice President, Ascension. “For nearly 150 years, our team at Ascension All Saints Hospital has been serving this community, with a special focus on those who are living in poverty and are vulnerable. This pledge allows us to collaborate with others and extend our charism beyond our four walls to bring health and healing to more people.”
The $1 million pledge, payable in increments of $200,000 over five years, was the first private sector contribution to the RCHC. The model of service delivery as a freestanding location will offer primary care, case management, health education and behavioral health in the most underserved neighborhoods.
“I am extremely grateful to Ascension Wisconsin for their commitment to the health of our community. Their generosity puts us in a great position to be able to improve access to healthcare for city and county residents,” Racine Mayor Cory Mason said. 
This commitment affords the city the opportunity to provide services at a community school location, ensuring that students, families and residents receive increased access to healthcare services while making the school the center of the neighborhood. 
The Racine Community Health Center at Julian Thomas Elementary School is scheduled to open in December 2020.