Agency moving into health center

lowell » The International Institute of New England’s (IINE) Lowell operations announced it will relocate to the Lowell Community Health Center at 101 Jackson St. in downtown Lowell.

The move further strengthens a long-standing collaboration between the two organizations to provide social services, education and physical and behavioral health care to Lowell’s refugee and immigrant communities.

“Lowell Community Health Center has been an incredible ally in serving Lowell’s refugee and immigrant population,” said Jeff Thielman, president and CEO of IINE. “We couldn’t think of a better location or partnership in the City of Lowell.”

IINE was founded in Lowell in 1918 and has operated for 103 years.

By co-locating with the Lowell Community Health Center, IINE seeks to create a “one stop shop,” where refugee and immigrant community members can meet with their primary care provider, case manager, immigration attorney, enroll in Masshealth, attend English classes, prepare for careers in health care, and more — all in one welcoming, accessible environment.

The health center has served as the “family doctor” for Greater Lowell for more than 50 years by providing primary and specialty care to anyone who needs it, regardless of ability to pay.

The health center also serves as the region’s Refugee Health Assessment Center, providing a first point of contact for health care to refugees arriving from around the Globe. It’s unique Metta Health Center has been providing culturally sensitive, bilingual health care to refugees and immigrants for more than 20 years.

Architectural firm Dyer Brown and construction management firm Pidgeon & Co. have been hired to design IINE’S new offices on the second floor of Lowell Community Health Center.