Following three years of work and $2 million in fundraising, a broad partnership of various city and Southside organizations finally celebrated the opening of a new Community Wellness Center on East Fourth Street.

“This is a vision for a renaissance in the Southside,” said Hispanic Center board President Donna Taggart, who listed St. Luke’s University Hospital, Pinebrook Family Solutions, Lehigh University, the Fowler Foundation and the city’s Health Department as but a sample of the cooperative effort in play.

The renovated 93-year-old building only a few doors from the Hispanic Center is now a focal point for assistance with social and health programs such as physical and mental healthcare, early childhood nutrition, wellness education, and a range of job readiness and job placement services.

“This is for all of South Bethlehem,” said Mayor Bob Donchez. “I grew up only a block from this building and it’s great to see this old bank building come back to life.”

Hispanic Center Executive Director May Colon said the Wellness Center is a broad nonprofit with immense community support to find new ways to help those impacted by poverty.

The Fowler Community Wellness Center is at 502 E. Fourth St., 610-868-7800 (Hispanic Center main number).