KCC Readies

For Temporary Move

By John Voket

Pending the finalization of some “minor points” in what clinic representatives are calling a “very kind and generous lease agreement,” Kevin’s Community Center plans to temporarily relocate to a facility less than a half-mile from its current location.

Linda Pinkney, LPN, the free community health clinic’s director of nursing and operations, told The Newtown Bee October 21 that patients will be welcomed at its new, temporary offices at 153 South Main Street, in the upper level of the SCB Office Park, just south of the Citgo minimart.

Clinic personnel hope to have the move completed over the Thanksgiving weekend, so they can reopen in the new location December 2.

“But since we cannot open until the state inspects the new facility, we may have to bump our re-opening to December 9. But we are certainly shooting for the second,” Ms Pinkney said.

The cooperative lease agreement, which is in the final stages of negotiation between KCC founder Dr Z. Michael Taweh and the building’s owners, Phil Clark, and Matt and Peter D’Amico, will provide more space than the clinic has in its current location. KCC is dedicated to providing free or low-cost medical attention to uninsured and underinsured Newtown residents over the age of 18.

Ms Pinkney said the clinic may be sharing space with the Newtown Parent Connection, which may sublease the space and use it when KCC is not seeing patients. A call for comment from a Parent Connection representative was not immediately returned.

“We just want to work together to help build a stronger community,” Ms Pinkney said. “And we’re very grateful to Mr Clark and the D’Amico brothers for their generous offer to lease us space, so we can afford to continue our operations.”

Patients needing directions to the new facility, or with general questions, are asked to call or leave a message at the clinic: 426-0496.