FEATURED PROJECT
BBIF Funds $12M NMTC Financing for Agape Village Health Center Expansion
HIGHLIGHTS
$35.8 Million Total Project Cost
39,963 Square Feet Of New Construction
11,687 Patients Reached Annually
Supports Patients with Incomes Less than $14,000
383 Jobs Created or Retained
Agape Network
ABOUT AGAPE NETWORK
A Pioneer in Supporting Disadvantaged Residents in Miami-Dade County
Agape Network, Inc was founded in 1983 with a mission to restore individuals and families to psychological, social, physical, and spiritual health. This community health center specializes in a holistic healthcare approach that addresses the whole person providing behavioral health services, primary care services, and transition assistance for women and families. The organization’s Re-Entry Program prepares inmates pre-release, providing services to assist inmates’ rehabilitation as they transition back into the community. Additionally, Agape supports patients living below the federal poverty line with primary care services for uninsured individuals. Through these initiatives, Agape Network helps relieve the burden on the South Florida criminal justice and healthcare system.
THE CHALLENGE
Addressing the Growing Need for Life-Changing Services
Since the foundation, Agape has restored the lives of half a million individuals by reducing recidivism rates, transforming lives, and strengthening families and communities. By 2019, their current infrastructure presents significant limitations. The center operates at full capacity, and their waiting list continues to grow, highlighting the critical need for additional resources to meet the demand for their services.
THE SOLUTION
Doubling Inpatient Capacity to Improve More Lives of the Underserved
With BBIF’s help, Agape Village Center expanded its facilities, services, and staff to meet the growing demand for its life-changing programs. With this $15 million construction project, the number of outpatients served will double from 1,000 to 2,500, and residential inpatient capacity will increase from 62-beds to 141 beds. The new facility provides primary care and behavioral health services to low-income and underserved populations throughout the entire county.
THE IMPACT
NMTC Increased Opportunities for Miami-Dade Community
When complete, the expansion will include a 26,516 square foot community health center, eight cottage units of supportive housing, an early childhood educational center, a commercial-grade teaching kitchen for vocational rehabilitation, gathering spaces and expansive courtyard. It also provides more job opportunities by doubling its staff from 150 to 330. “We are thrilled to support the growth and expansion of the Agape village project. The social, healthcare and spiritual services that Agape provides will create opportunities for the most vulnerable communities of the Miami-Dade area,” said Duane Lewis, COO of BBIF. “The NMTC program allows BBIF to invest in impactful programs like AGAPE, with a proven model of uplifting the BIPOC communities they serve.”
When complete, the expansion will include a 26,516 square foot community health center, eight cottage units of supportive housing, an early childhood educational center, a commercial-grade teaching kitchen for vocational rehabilitation, gathering spaces and expansive courtyard. It also provides more job opportunities by doubling its staff from 150 to 330. “We are thrilled to support the growth and expansion of the Agape village project. The social, healthcare and spiritual services that Agape provides will create opportunities for the most vulnerable communities of the Miami-Dade area,” said Duane Lewis, COO of BBIF. “The NMTC program allows BBIF to invest in impactful programs like AGAPE, with a proven model of uplifting the BIPOC communities they serve.”
Claudio Perez
President & CEO of Agape Network
