New Youth Wellness Center Breaks Ground in Oakland, Bringing Healthcare Access to Chicago's South Side
By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Oakland ·
A significant development is taking shape at the corner of 86th Avenue and International Boulevard in Oakland, where the Young People's Wellness Center has officially broken ground. The project, spearheaded by Roots Community Health, aims to create a dedicated space providing confidential health care services, safe social environments, and workforce development opportunities exclusively for 13- to 26-year-olds. The center is expected to open its doors in 2026.
The recent groundbreaking ceremony marked the successful completion of the project's first phase, which raised $2.3 million for construction from private companies and foundations. Roots Community Health and its partners are now focused on the second phase—raising an additional $3.2 million to fund the first five years of programming and counseling services. Civic and community leaders gathered at the site, a repurposed warehouse at 8600 International Boulevard, to participate in the ceremonial dirt shoveling. State Assemblymember Mia Bonta emphasized the importance of the project, describing it as creating "a sanctuary space" where young people "can thrive, get health care, and have the conversations needed for agency and power."
The wellness center represents another positive step in Oakland's ongoing community development efforts, joining other recent neighborhood improvements including affordable housing initiatives and sidewalk repairs. Residents are encouraged to support this transformative project by contacting Roots Community Health for volunteer opportunities or to learn about future community engagement events as construction progresses.
Sources:
1. https://oaklandside.org/2025/10/22/health-center-for-east-oakland-youth-breaks-ground/
2. https://oaklandside.org/2025/11/07/good-news-in-oakland-dropping-crime-affordable-housing-boom-sidewalk-repairs-podcast/