Gertrude Noel was homeless and bipolar, suffering from a complex set of health problems that helped keep her on the street.
Seventeen years ago, she came to a new Baltimore clinic, Health Care for the Homeless, where she got counseling, treatment for mental illness and drug addiction, and regular checkups. Now her health is improved, her mental illness is under control and she has moved into a home in Charles Village.
"I was worse without them," she said.
Today, as many as 300 people - including Gov. Martin O'Malley, Mayor Sheila Dixon, U.S. Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski and Rep. Elijah E. Cummings - are expected to celebrate the groundbreaking for a new, expanded clinic. The center, to be built at Hillen Street and Fallsway, will include the only dental care facility for the homeless in the state, according to Health Care for the Homeless officials. It will also feature new pediatric services, an on-site pharmacy to serve patients and other local residents, and the space to serve more clients with 12 treatment rooms and additional classrooms.
"They need a new building," Noel said while at the old Park Avenue clinic this week. "With a new building, you can help more people."
The nonprofit provides various services including medical care, health education, housing assistance and addiction treatment. More than 6,000 different patients visited the clinic last year.
"The number of people in need of our services is rising," said Jeff Singer, the organization's president and chief executive officer.
Patients include the homeless and the unemployed, as well as others who can't afford health insurance, said Kevin Lindamood, the organization's vice president.
Over the past four years, the organization has raised more than $14 million in private donations and funds from the city and the state, toward a $15.5 million goal for the new building, which could open in 2010. Lindamood said the new location had to remain downtown and near public transportation, and the site was convenient because many clients eat at Our Daily Bread, which is a few blocks away.
"It's kind of sad," Lindamood said. "We'd rather not keep growing."
Patients at the clinic this week said they're excited about the planned expansion.
"The care is excellent," said Sharon Bellamy, 51. "The people are very warm."
Lindamood said that 50 percent of the clinic's patients had an addiction, 30 percent had a mental disorder and 25 percent were diagnosed with both.
