Vecinos Receives $1.6 Million from SECU Foundation for New Medical Center and Human Services Hub

SECU Foundation recently awarded a $1.6 million grant to Vecinos for a new medical center and human services hub in Macon County. A groundbreaking kicked off the initiative to bring greater access to healthcare and supportive services for low-income and uninsured adults in Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties.

Challenged by the lack of urban centers and healthcare professionals in the region, Vecinos works with partner organizations to provide quality integrated primary healthcare services using mobile clinics and outreach programs. The new healthcare hub will increase its capacity to add 2,000 clinical patients in the first year and 1,000 clients through its partnerships.

“With a passion and determination to help others, Vecinos’ leadership and staff continue to reap great rewards for the people and communities they serve,” said SECU Foundation Board Chair Chris Ayers. "We are excited to be part of their larger vision and healthcare outreach to create healthy and thriving communities in the Western region and other underserved areas of the state.”
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“Vecinos is deeply moved by the support of SECU Foundation and the members of State Employees’ Credit Union across North Carolina,” said Vecinos CEO Marianne Rupp Martinez. “The SECU Community Health Hub is an embodiment of the credit union People Helping People® philosophy by providing desperately needed services in an extremely underserved region to those most in need. The Foundation’s support to actualize this project is both meaningful and deeply impactful to the landscape of healthcare in Western North Carolina.”

(Photo: ​Pictured left to right are Vecinos CEO Marianne Rupp Martinez with SECU Foundation representatives Jama Campbell, executive director; Chris Ayers, board chair; Parker Patterson, senior grants officer; and Scott Southern, director of grants administration.)

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