Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic Reopens in Central District with Expanded Services

SEATTLE, WA — After decades away, the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic (OBCC) is returning to its birthplace in Seattle’s Central District. The grand reopening will be celebrated on Saturday, August 9, with a family-friendly outdoor event at the new location: 1711 S. Jackson St. The celebration runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include arts and crafts, music, games, free vaccines, and giveaways.

The reopening marks a symbolic and practical return to the clinic’s roots and mission: providing quality, dignified healthcare to children in underserved communities.

A Legacy Returns to Its Home

Founded in 1970 by Seattle Children’s Hospital and inspired by the vision of community organizer Odessa Brown, OBCC has always prioritized healthcare equity. The clinic originally opened in the Central District to serve families regardless of race or ability to pay. Now, more than 50 years later, it is once again operating in the heart of the community that shaped it.

“Our clinic was founded 50 years ago in the Central District neighborhood. It has always been a part of who we are, why we are, and the specific community we’ve been committed to serving,” said Cora Weed, Director of Service Lines for Seattle Children’s. “We are so excited to reopen our doors just a few blocks from our previous location.”

Expanded Medical and Behavioral Health Services

While the clinic already has a location in Othello, the reopening of its Central District site enhances access to healthcare for local families. OBCC’s new facility offers a full range of primary care services, including:

Well-child visits
Vaccinations
Laboratory testing
Speech and language services
Autism evaluations and treatment

A key expansion area is behavioral health, which Weed says was prioritized in response to overwhelming community feedback.

“We’re expanding our behavioral health offerings by over 50%,” Weed said. “This includes therapy, autism care, and services for youth navigating emotional and developmental challenges.”

CARE Clinic Launching in 2026

Looking further ahead, OBCC will break new ground with the Community Assistance Restorative Education (CARE) Clinic, scheduled to open in 2026. This trauma-informed initiative was co-designed with more than a dozen local partners and will serve youth impacted by:

Gun violence
Domestic and interpersonal violence
Foster care or juvenile justice systems
Commercial sexual exploitation

“This clinic is unlike anything we’ve ever done before,” Weed emphasized. “It’s tailored for young people who’ve experienced trauma. The design, the services, and the partnerships are all deeply rooted in healing and empowerment.”

Immediate Impact Already Visible

Though only recently reopened, OBCC’s Central District location is already making a difference. In its first 10 days of operation, the clinic has served nearly 100 patients, and numbers are expected to rise significantly in the coming months.

Meanwhile, OBCC’s Othello campus remains a vital healthcare hub, having facilitated more than 44,000 clinical visits in 2023 alone — including 18,000 medical appointments for 7,000 patients.

Community at the Heart of Every Decision

For OBCC leadership, the reopening is more than just a physical move — it’s a reconnection with a community that has been central to its mission since day one.

“There’s not a conversation about the reopening of this clinic that doesn’t use the word community,” Weed said. “We’ve kept our patients, families, and partners at the center of every step.”

She added, “We’re not just coming back to the Central District. We’re coming back with the Central District — to grow, evolve, and meet the community’s current needs.”

Celebration Details

Event: OBCC Grand Opening Celebration
Date: Saturday, August 9
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Location: 1711 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA
Activities:

Arts & crafts
Live music and games
Free vaccines
Community giveaways
Appearances from OBCC staff and community leaders

Bottom Line:
The reopening of Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic in the Central District represents a powerful return to community-centered care, with new services tailored to today’s needs. With enhanced behavioral health offerings, trauma-informed programs, and a commitment to equity, OBCC is once again living up to its founding promise — delivering healthcare with dignity, compassion, and purpose.