The Corner Health Center has recently completed its capital campaign, Caring for the Next Generations: Healthy Teens Today and Tomorrow.  All of us at The Corner wish to thank the many donors and volunteers who helped make our campaign a success. 

The primary purpose of our capital campaign was to purchase and renovate an historic building immediately adjacent to The Corner’s existing facilities, adding needed space for patient exam rooms, counseling and support services, and program space.  Our goal was to raise $1.64 million for capital improvements, endowment and general operating support.

Success:  Our campaign goal was met in time to qualify for the $250,000 challenge grant from The Kresge Foundation.  As of January, 2009, The Corner has raised $1.74 million in new gifts and pledges for its campaign!  Construction on the new space has begun.  Demolition of the interior of the newly acquired building began in January 2009.  Build out and renovation is expected to be completed by late summer 2009.

Impact:  The process of planning for and executing a facilities expansion as well as a capital campaign has helped The Corner Health Center to become a more strategic organization.  During the campaign, The Corner initiated an organizational and financial analysis of its programs that was completed by the Fieldstone Alliance and the Nonprofit Finance Fund with a grant from the Kellogg Foundation.  This analysis has been used by The Corner’s Board in strategic planning and will help The Corner to prepare a comprehensive business plan.  Such analysis and planning will serve our agency well in many areas as we move forward.

We anticipate that heightened community awareness of The Corner Health Center resulting from the campaign will lead to opportunities for collaborative partnerships and community support.  We have strengthened existing relationships and begun new ones.  About one third of the donors to the campaign are new to The Corner, including a number of new donors from Ann Arbor who had not previously supported an Ypsilanti-based organization.  We are committed to keeping all of our donors and friends, old and new, engaged and involved in our progress.

Acknowledgment:  The success of the campaign was celebrated at an open house at The Corner on September 24, 2008.  About 150 donors, volunteers and community members attended. 

At the open house, a large, outdoor wall mural commissioned as part of the expansion project was unveiled.  The colorful, 48-foot wide by 8-foot tall mural now graces the side of our building; a location very visible from our street in the heart of downtown Ypsilanti.  Executed by local high school art students under the direction of Mary Thiefels (www.treetownmurals.com) , the mural is dedicated to past, present and future young people who receive The Corner’s services.  The mural provides attractive public art that enhances the neighborhood, and a much-needed landmark to identify The Corner Health Center and increase its visibility.

When our expansion and renovations are completed in 2009, we will host a grand opening to show off our new space and recognize those who have made it possible.  We hope you will join us at that time.