Ribbon Cut On New Fair Haven Health HQ

Officials cut the ribbon on Fair Haven Community Health Care’s expanded new home as they vowed to work hard to keep delivering health care for the poor at a time of looming federal budget cuts.

The ribbon-cutting took place before 50 attendees at the center’s newly rebuilt $32.4 million home at 374 Grand Ave. near the corner of James Street.

Community Foundation for Greater New Haven CEO Karen DuBois-Walton took to the stage and made an impassioned speech about current threats to Medicaid and increased taxes on health centers. 

“We gather at the intersection of history, healing, and hope,” she said. ​“The Fair Haven [health] center will not shrink from this moment,” 

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro recorded a video to be played at the ceremony, in which she congratulated the New Haven community for raising $3 million, noting the new health center can welcome 22,000 new patients.

Fair Haven Health CEO Suzanne Lagarde outlined the story of the health center’s journey. The center tended to their first patient on Aug. 16, 1971, in the gym of Columbus elementary school. It was founded by women with a $4,000 grant, and has remained open and growing for the 54 years since then. The property the health center stands on was bought in 2020, built with community members’ requests in mind.

“We heard that people longed for a space that was welcoming, a space that was light and open, and a space with a lot of colors. They asked for a space that was kind to our planet,” she said.

The 35,600 square-foot center is fossil-fuel free, and will soon utilize solar power, according to Lagarde. It features work from artists such as Val Richardson and Silvia López Chavez.

The event concluded with State Sen. Martin Looney, Lagarde, and DuBois-Walton, among others cutting a long white ribbon that had the health center’s logo on it. Attendees were then invited to tour the facility, admiring local art work and the different programs offered, such as diabetes prevention, food for health, and women’s health.