Kennebunk Savings recently awarded a $50,000 grant to the Families First Capital Campaign for its new Federally Qualified Health Center, now open on Lafayette Road in Portsmouth. The nonprofit purchased a building in Greenleaf Woods and retrofitted the facility, which also includes SOS Recovery Community Organization’s first outpost in Portsmouth.

Kennebunk Savings presents a check to the Families First Capital Campaign to help fund its new health center. From left, Janet Laatsch, CEO of Greater Seacoast Community Health, Bradford C. Paige, president and CEO of Kennebunk Savings, Liz Torrance, Kennebunk Savings’ Social Responsibility and Community Relations manager, and John Burns, executive director of SOS Recovery Community Organization. Courtesy photo

Federally Qualified Health Centers serve a critical need in the community, providing comprehensive health care under one roof to our most vulnerable neighbors, including the elderly, those who are uninsured, and people facing poverty.

“One of the most exciting aspects of Families First’s move to a new building is that it enables us to expand and integrate services to complement our medical, dental, behavioral, family and wraparound services,” said Joann Neumann, development director for Greater Seacoast Community Health, in an email.

Greater Seacoast Community Health is the umbrella organization that includes Families First along with Goodwin Community Health and Lilac City Pediatrics.

One area of expansion is the center’s addition of services provided by SOS Recovery Community Organization. “The work that Families First does with substance use treatment will allow patients already coming to the practice to also connect with our peer recovery support services, helping provide them with ongoing recovery supports,” said SOS Director John Burns via email. “Anything that lowers barriers to individuals who are vulnerable and marginalized to access support for wellness and recovery is one we embrace.”

The new facility is located near several other human service organizations and along public transit routes, providing increased ease of access for the greater community — which will expand to a projected 3,500 more people by 2023.

“Families First provides so much critical support to so many that they’ve outgrown their old space. This is a community success story,” said Bradford C. Paige, president and CEO of Kennebunk Savings, in an email. “Greater Seacoast Community Health provides innovative and integrated health services at a high level, and SOS Recovery Community Organization is our longtime and steadfast partner.”