Community Health and Social Services (CHASS) Center in Southwest Detroit recently received an $80,000 grant from the Empowerment Foundation to bring a mammography machine to the center, and is kicking off programming this week.
The grant supports a one-year lease of the mammography machine along with staff support needed to provide screening mammograms for CHASS Center patients. The first mammogram at CHASS Center is projected to take place in October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“We are very grateful for the generous support from Empowerment Foundation in helping us make it possible to bring this life-saving equipment to the center,” said Dr. Felix Valbuena Jr., CEO CHASS Center. “This gift will allow for us to provide immediate screening for breast cancer to our patients—screening early allows for earlier detection and treatment, which ultimately saves lives.”
The Empowerment Foundation, founded in 1998 is a private, charitable foundation engaged in work that empowers people to change their world by funding projects that focus on education, health, self-reliance and technology with a focus to support disadvantaged communities. The Foundation was established by Bhagwan P. Thacker, philanthropist, and owner of DSSI, LLC a global provider of procurement services, based in Southfield.
“Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in our country, making access to a mammogram vitally important,” said Bonnie Hill, spokesperson for Empowerment Foundation in a press release. “It is a privilege to be able to support CHASS Center in adding this lifesaving equipment to their center as they continue to provide quality care in the Southwest Detroit community.”
Also, CHASS, a community-based, not-for-profit health and wellness Center, is kicking off a fundraising campaign during National Health Center Week (Aug 8-14) to raise additional funds towards the mammography machine lease and staffing, to provide care for patients for years to come. The Empowerment Foundation has made a commitment to match up to $40,000 now through December. To donate, visit https://chasscenter.org/donate.
This week’s events include free family-friendly activities available to the public. The events, held outdoors and virtually, will offer activities for all ages such as Storytime, face painting, a scavenger hunt, a cardio drumming class, an online cooking demo and a 5K run/walk. Face masks are required for individuals not fully vaccinated.
Activities:
3:30-5:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 12
Pop-Up Event at Urban Neighborhood Initiatives, Varga Pavillion
Resources, Kid’s Activities & Prizes, Hygiene Kits
3-4 p.m. on Thursday, August
Tenemos Sabor
Cooking Demo on Facebook Live
9 a.m. on Saturday, August 14
CHASS 5K Run/Walk & Kid’s Superhero Race
Health center celebrations are scheduled across the country. To learn more about National Health Center Week and the events happening nationwide, visit www.healthcenterweek.org or follow the conversation using #NHCW2021 on social media.
CHASS Center is part of a nationwide network of health centers that serve more than 30 million people. In Michigan, health centers serve more than 709,000 patients at more than 330 sites throughout the state. CHASS Center accepts patients of all ages and work with the uninsured to insured, including Medicaid and Medicare.
The Community Health and Social Services (CHASS) Center, Inc. is a community-based, not-for-profit organization formed to develop, promote, and provide comprehensive, accessible and affordable quality primary health care and support services to all, with special emphasis on the underserved African-American and Latino populations.
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