HealthLinc and Opportunity Enterprises broke ground Oct. 26 on a new 7,500-square-foot clinic in Valparaiso.
Officials, including Kelly Anthony, representing U.S. Sen. Todd Young, and Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas, joined the nonprofits as work officially was launched on the OE campus at 3101 Evans Ave. in Valparaiso. The clinic first was announced in 2025, and is expect to open next summer.
The clinic will make accessibility a priority as it offers primary, immediate and dental care to the general public. Exam rooms will be easy to navigate, and specially trained staff will help those with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities.
“At HealthLinc, we believe quality health care should be accessible to everyone,” said Melissa Mitchell, CEO of HealthLinc, in a press release. “Today we are putting that belief into the ground. This clinic will welcome every member of our community, and it will be a place where patients with disabilities are expected, welcomed and understood. Together, we are building healthy communities.”
Opportunity Enterprises will offer physical and occupational therapy services to round out services.
“This clinic embodies OE's mission of creating equitable opportunities for people of all abilities,” said Neil Samahon, president and CEO of Opportunity Enterprises. “Too many people with disabilities go without routine care because the system was not built with them in mind. Seeing shovels in the ground on our property means that is about to change for families across our Region.”
HealthLinc will operate the clinic and provide equipment. Services will be provided on a sliding scale and offer the 340B discounted medication program available to Federally Qualified Health Centers like HealthLinc.
The project was made possible by individual donors, the Porter County Community Foundation Energize Porter County Initiative and Northwest Indiana Forum READI 2 funding.
Facet Architecture designed the clinic, while Larson-Danielson Construction will build it.
HealthLinc was founded in 1996, while Opportunity Enterprises has been serving clients for 60 yers.
