FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ra Spencer | Public Information Administrator
Americana World Community Center
(502) 366-7813 ext 210
Cell: (502) 295-5547
[email protected]
LOUISVILLE, KY — June 18, 2026 — Americana World Community Center (AWCC) and the Family Health Centers (FHC) held the official groundbreaking ceremony for the Americana Capital Campaign Renovation Project. Operating under the banner of “Americana Future Forward,” the ceremony marks the realization of a comprehensive campus master plan thoughtfully designed, engineered, and championed since 2018.
The approximately $4.3 million project will modernize campus infrastructure and transform the South Wing of Americana’s 70-year-old facility into a fully accessible, state-of-the-art center for integrated health and community services. The renovation includes a complete overhaul of the building’s 9,920-square-foot South Wing, expansion of the second floor, installation an elevator, and significant accessibility upgrades designed to serve future generations of Louisville families.
“This groundbreaking is not just the start of construction; it is the culmination of a vision our team, board, and community partners have carefully nurtured for nearly a decade,” said Ricky Santiago, Executive Director of Americana World Community Center. “Together with Family Health Centers and our many supporters, we are creating a permanent foundation for health, opportunity, and belonging that will serve Louisville’s refugee, immigrant, and underserved families for decades to come.”
A central component of the project is the creation of a permanent home for Family Health Centers-Americana, which has operated on the Americana campus since 2007 and serves thousands of patients each year. The new facility will significantly expand access to primary care, behavioral health services, refugee health services, add pharmacy services, and specialized support programs for one of Kentucky’s most culturally diverse communities.
“Every Louisvillian in every neighborhood deserves access to quality, affordable health care close to home,” said Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. “For nearly 20 years, Family Health Centers – Americana has been a trusted resource for families in South Louisville. This new clinic will expand access to care in one of Family Health Center’s highest-demand areas, which is why I made it a priority to allocate funding that helped turn this project from vision to reality.”
The infrastructure expansion will deliver several significant community benefits:
• Expanded Health Care Capacity: The renovated facility will provide a permanent, purpose-built clinical environment for Family Health Centers-Americana, increasing the number of exam and consultation rooms, significantly expanding access to primary care, behavioral health, and refugee health services.
• Integrated Services: Family Health Centers’ primary care, behavioral health, pharmacy, community health worker, and Survivors of Torture Services programs will be more fully integrated alongside Americana’s educational, workforce, and family support programs.
• New Pharmacy: In response to recent pharmacy closures and growing health care access challenges in South Louisville, the project will establish an on-site, 340-B pharmacy, helping address a critical gap in access to affordable medications and care coordination.
• Accessibility Improvements: The addition of an elevator and ADA-compliant renovations will ensure the facility is accessible to all community members.
• Revitalized Community Space: Renovated and expanded areas will support Americana’s youth programming, Fiberworks initiative, cultural arts activities, and ethnic community organizations.
“What makes this project so special is that it reflects the shared missions of Americana and Family Health Centers,” said Samuel Riddick, CEO of Family Health Centers. “We know that health is about much more than a doctor’s appointment. Health is shaped by opportunity, stability, and access to the resources people need to thrive. Americana helps families build the foundation for a successful future, and Family Health Centers helps ensure those families are healthy enough to pursue it.”
The project is the result of strong public-private partnerships and broad community support. Major investments include a $2 million federal Community Project Funding appropriation secured through the efforts of former Congressman John Yarmuth, support from the James Graham Brown Foundation, a $1 million commitment from Family Health Centers, and a critical $800,000 investment from Louisville Metro Government championed by Mayor Craig Greenberg and Metro Council.
Construction is expected to begin immediately following the groundbreaking, with completion anticipated in May of 2027.
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In accordance with HRSA Legislative Mandates, the Americana Capital Campaign Renovation project is funded 47% through Federal money ($2 Million), and 53% that is financed with non-Federal sources.
About Americana World Community Center
Founded on the belief that human dignity is not limited by geography, culture, language, or ethnicity, the Americana World Community Center provides holistic services to Louisville’s refugee, immigrant, and underserved populations. Serving over 5,000 individuals from more than 100 countries annually, Americana bridges the gap from surviving to thriving through youth programs, family education, community gardens, and essential healthcare partnerships. www.americanacc.org
About the Family Health Centers
Family Health Centers is a not-for-profit, federally qualified health center that provides access to high-quality primary and preventive health care services regardless of the ability to pay. Established in 1976, Family Health Centers provides services to nearly 40,000 individuals annually through a network of 9 health centers throughout the Louisville Metro. Learn more at www.fhclouisville.org.