January 7, 2008

Wednesday, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors granted the Charlottesville Free Clinic much needed permission to expand.

"We're certainly seeing the impact of the recession on our community," said director of the Charlottesville Health Department Dr. Lilian Peake.

But now the health department and the free clinic will be able to expand after gaining permission from the city of Charlottesville and Wednesday the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors.

"It was a no brainer for us because it's an opportunity for them to expand their facilities and expand their service to the community which is much, much needed here," said supervisor Ken Boyd.

Officials say that the expansion will allow more room for prescriptions and the free clinic's dentistry services, and it won't cost taxpayers a thing.

"This is a great example of a private, public collaboration and it isn't costing the taxpayers money to do this," said Peake.

Peake says all the money for the renovations will be paid for by private donors--expanding services during a time when demand for the health department and the free clinic continues to rise.

"Certainly right now we're seeing a lot of demand on both health department and free clinic services," said Peake.

"I think in this time of recession we're seeing layoffs of people that there's going to be even more demand for it, so it's probably very timely that they're getting ready to expand their service area," said Boyd.

Check out the Charlottesville Free Clinic for more information.