Chicago: Mayor Brandon Johnson Cuts Ribbon on Sankofa Village Wellness Center, Bringing Community Healthcare Resources to West Garfield Park

CHICAGO ~ Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, along with Alderman Jason Ervin (28th), Department of Planning and Development Commissioner Ciere Boatright, and the Garfield Park Right to Wellness Collective (GPRWC), gathered today to celebrate the grand opening of the Sankofa Village Wellness Center. This new community health and wellness hub, located at 4305 W. Madison Street in West Garfield Park, is a City-backed project that aims to provide primary medical, dental, behavioral, reproductive, substance abuse, and HIV prevention care to 6,000 patients annually.

Mayor Johnson expressed his excitement for the opening of this center and its potential impact on the community. "Through our investments we are building the local infrastructure needed to ensure every resident, no matter their ZIP code, has access to the resources and services they need to live healthy, prosperous lives," he stated. He also highlighted the importance of addressing the life expectancy disparity on the West Side through tailored health and community services.

Developed by The Community Builders in collaboration with West Side service providers, this three-story, 60,000-square-foot project brings together a wide range of health, wellness, and community resources under one roof. It is expected to create 100 permanent full-time jobs.

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Executive Director of GPRWC Drea Slaughter expressed her pride in finally opening the doors of this center to the community. "This center was built for the residents and is designed to meet their needs while serving as a space where people can connect, grow, and thrive," she said. She also emphasized that this is just the beginning and they look forward to continuing their mission of strengthening opportunities and improving quality of life in West Garfield Park.

The facility includes a clinic, fitness center, office space for nonprofits and minority-owned businesses as well as anchor tenants such as Rush University Medical Center and YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. In line with Mayor Johnson's Build Better Together initiative, which focuses on expanding healthcare access and advancing racial equity, Sankofa Village is designed to address the life expectancy gap through integrated health, wellness, economic, and cultural investments. This includes on-site workforce development, youth programming, and financial literacy services. Together, these programs are expected to serve more than 37,000 individuals annually.

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The opening of the Wellness Center marks the completion of the first phase of construction for the Sankofa Wellness Village, a community-led initiative that aims to revitalize the Madison-Pulaski corridor in West Garfield Park.

The Johnson administration has contributed over $7 million to support this development, including $5.9 million from the sale of City land and $1.5 million from Chicago Recovery Plan funding. The Chicago Development Fund also provided an additional $10 million through New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation.

Commissioner Boatright of DPD expressed her confidence in the impact that Sankofa Village will have on the West Side community. "Sankofa is going to have an incredible impact on the health and wellness of the West Side," she said. "It's going to be a major catalyst for neighborhood growth and equitable investment."

In addition to financial support, the Johnson administration facilitated the sale of three City lots for only $1 each, representing a write-down of $45,600.

The project has also been recognized by receiving a 2023 Chicago Prize award from the Pritzker Traubert Foundation.

With its focus on addressing health disparities and promoting economic development in West Garfield Park, Sankofa Village Wellness Center is set to make a positive impact on the community for years to come.

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