History

Originally, the Riverside Chapel of the First Presbyterian Church, dating back to 1913, in 1968 the building was first used by volunteers, then donated in 1970 to grassroots organizers in the neighborhood who wanted to address the needs of the West Bank students and residents. The result was Cedar Riverside People’s Center, Minnesota’s first free medical clinic.

People’s Center then acquired Family Dental Care (now People's Center Dental Clinic) to increase access to direct dental care and oral hygiene education for clients receiving Medicaid. We were the first FQHC in the nation to hire a dental therapist to increase patient access to dental care and reduce medical costs, and the first community clinic in Minnesota to invest in a bridge or interface between our Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and Electronic Dental Record (EDR).

In 2003, we became a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). In 2017, we re-branded to People’s Center Clinics & Services. Since becoming an FQHC, the number of patients served annually by People’s Center increased from 2,000-9,000– demonstrating the burgeoning need for accessible and affordable health care in our service area. We also added behavioral health services and expanded our supportive services.

Now we are a nationally recognized non-profit community health center serving vibrant communities in south Minneapolis and the surrounding areas. Our two clinics, located in the Cedar-Riverside and Longfellow neighborhoods, are dedicated to delivering affordable health care, inspiring hope and promoting community wellness.

At our Cedar Riverside Clinic, we offer the full continuum of primary care from pediatric to geriatric care. Preventative care and education, acute care, chronic disease management, reproductive health, including pre- and postnatal care for women, and STI/HIV testing for all ages are all offered at affordable prices with flexible payment plans.

We offer a low-cost pharmaceutical program, laboratory and X-ray services, as well as a referral service for those patients who need to be seen by a specialist, and our care coordinators help patients get the care they need across medical, behavioral, dental, specialty and pharmaceutical services.

At our Longfellow Dental Clinic, we offer preventative care, examinations, x-rays and hygiene services along with tooth extractions, root canals, fillings, bridges, crowns and dental sealants to patients of all ages.

 Improving Lives. Transforming Communities. Achieving Health Equity for Everyone.