A North Texas nonprofit is renovating its building and expanding it by 400% to provide health and social services to the state’s indigenous community.
Texas Native Health provides free services to those it serves.
“We used to have six exam rooms, and now, in the brand new center, we have 15,” says Adam Shorter.
Shorter is the Chief Operating Officer of Texas Native Health and said the new building will provide more space for additional dental, behavioral health and substance abuse services.
“Our brand new facility is 7,000 feet tall, a big change from our previous facility, which was approximately 7,000 feet tall,” Shorter said.
Texas Native Health has its own pharmacy that serves approximately 30 to 50 patients per day and fills more than 12,000 prescriptions per year.
The nonprofit is also an Urban Indian Organization under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, providing free care and programs for Texas’ growing Native population.
“Based on research we did with the 2020 U.S. Census, 220,000 people identified as Native American or other in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, compared to 800,000 in the state of Texas,” Shorter said.
Education is another important component, starting with programs in kindergarten and continuing into higher education.
“It helps students pay their tuition. It helps if someone is trying to get a certain certification for their work, we will help them pay for that and achieve that goal,” Shorter said.
Construction is currently underway on a 30,000-square-foot cultural center, which is expected to open in December.
“Our main space is for dance classes, dance groups, events, meeting areas and the whole nine yards,” Shorter said.
The nonprofit opened in 1971, and leaders hope the building expansion can bring healthcare into the 21st century.
“It’s important to have a facility like this for community members so they can access and receive the care they need, connecting with cultural events and linking the cultural aspect to their care,” Shorter said.
Texas Native Health would like to expand in the future and open facilities in Houston, Austin and San Antonio.