Building Brotherhood and Better Health at the Streater Community Center
The Streater Community Center opened in February 2025 as a place to foster engagement, community, and wellness for HopeHealth patients and individuals within Florence and the greater Pee Dee area.
Men’s health is a key priority at Streater, offering individual and group support, education, and fellowship. Research shows that over 60% of men avoid annual wellness visits and 55% skip health screenings. Men may think they don’t need it, that nothing is wrong, that they are too busy, or that they don’t want to hear any bad news.
Cost and dealing with insurance companies are also barriers to men seeking medical care. Men are also less likely to receive certain forms of assistance, such as Medicaid, making the burden of health care costs even harder to bear.
Men may be taught to “tough it out,” ignore symptoms, and only seek help when a medical condition becomes unbearable or is a medical emergency. Minority men are at even higher risk, facing significant health disparities. Black men in particular have the shortest life expectancy of any other ethnic group in the US.
The good news is that learning to prioritize health at any age can help men decrease the risk of developing chronic diseases and more effectively treat any current medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and prostate issues, before they get out of control. Healthy lifestyle changes can improve many medical conditions by building small, sustainable habits over time.
The Streater Community Center plays a vital role by serving as a hub for access, education, and empowerment. By reducing barriers to health care, Streater provides men with direct access to resources, screenings, education, and trusted support via Community Health Workers.
Community Health Workers (CHWs) can help identify and address health disparities for individuals, including transportation access and food insecurity. CHWs can help individuals coordinate health care services, such as finding a provider or getting tests completed, providing access to preventive screenings and vaccines, sharing health information and education, or assisting with completing forms for programs such as SNAP or the HopeHealth Sliding Fee Scale. Having a CHW available ensures that individuals receive immediate assistance, guidance, and connections to needed services.
There are many ways a man can start the process of getting into care. A call or visit to Streater is one option, and there are several other points of contact to explore and consider if you’re not sure where to start. Visit hope-health.org or call (843) 667-9414 for more information.
Ongoing Streater activities are scheduled daily, weekly, and monthly.
Daily
Each weekday morning from 9-11am, CHWs are available for Coffee & Convo, and both men and women are encouraged to drop in with questions and for assistance.
Weekly
Weekly group activities at Streater of interest include Monday Movement or Tuesday Bingo, both from 11am – 12pm. These free events are open to all.
Monthly
“Grits with Gents” is a special monthly men’s program that focuses on improving the health and well-being of men throughout Florence and the Pee Dee area. This initiative has created a safe and welcoming space for men to connect, learn, and grow together. This program meets on the first Saturday of each month from 9 to 10:30am and offers free breakfast, sharing, and learning.
Terrance B. Legette, a Community Health Worker at Streater who specializes in helping men, shares, “A major impact for the men who attend Grits with Gents has been increased awareness and openness regarding personal health. Participants are more willing to discuss important issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, prostate health, and mental health. These conversations are informative and transformative, shifting mindsets from avoidance to proactive engagement. Men are asking more questions, seeking guidance and medical care, and taking proactive steps toward better health.
This brotherhood has become a foundation for deeper conversations, and men who may not have otherwise connected have built meaningful relationships, encouraging one another and holding each other accountable.”
Another monthly program is Coffee with Joe, designed for Veterans and active-duty service members. The program offers a space for support and education, with resources provided to help Veterans heal from service-related challenges. This program meets on the fourth Friday of the month at 9am, and participants can enjoy coffee, donuts, and fellowship while hearing from guest speakers.
All programs are free, open to the public, and can also serve as an entry point for individuals who may not initially seek health education by creating opportunities for connection in a relaxed and enjoyable environment.
The Streater Community Center has significantly improved the lives of men in the region by fostering a culture of trust, support, and accountability. Our CHWs and programs aim to empower men to take control of their health while strengthening community bonds. Take the time to “man up” and come visit us at 301 N. Dargan Street in Florence to start the journey to better health!
