The Sankofa Wellness Center

In December 2024, CDF provided $10 million in New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation to The Community Builders (TCB) to finance the construction of a 3-story, 52,000-square-foot, multi-tenant community facility located at 4305 W. Madison Street in West Garfield Park. This project marks the first phase of the Sankofa Wellness Village, a Chicago Prize winning initiative to revitalize West Garfield Park by bringing interconnected health, recreation, and social enterprises to the disinvested Madison-Pulaski commercial corridor. Project elements include an FQHC health center; a full-service YMCA; behavioral health offices; an education hub; Garfield Park Rite to Wellness Collaborative offices; and a community-owned Leaders Network Credit Union and café.

The Project seeks to improve health outcomes for West Garfield Park residents by serving more than 37,000 individuals annually with healthcare, workforce development, youth programming, and financial literacy services. Erie Family Health Center and Rush University will provide primary care, dental, and behavioral health services. West Side United will operate a clearinghouse to connect residents with job training and placement in careers like health IT, patient care, and phlebotomy at partner hospitals. The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago will provide drop-in childcare, out-of-school programs, fitness activities, and wellness education. At full operations, the project is anticipated to support nearly 150 jobs across the various tenants.

In coordination with CDF’s financing, BMO Harris, Grow America, and Chase New Markets Corporation provided a total of $14.5 million in NMTC allocation. NMTC equity was provided by JP Morgan Chase.