In the overly connected world of instant status alerts and cryptic text messages it is often hard to notice the details of the community just outside these little screens. Compassion Connect breaks through with a collective aid approach in communities with basic health needs. Volunteers involved in these clinics act on one specific notion of being a Christian as stated by St. Francis of Assisi. He exclaimed that everyone should “preach the gospel at all times and (only) when necessary use words.”
According to a health Survey administered by the Center for Disease Control, there are currently over 50 million people without health insurance in the United States of America. 3,780,230 of those interviewed reside in the state of Oregon. Many thousands of these people attend the health clinics organized with Compassion Connect and local churches in the area of need.
The clinic held June 18th, at Lane Middle School in Southeast Portland, proves just how impressive the feat of organizing and completing these events can be. From the moment someone stepped in from the dreary rain outside, they were surrounded by the kind energy flowing from hundreds of volunteers. All of whom had been inspired by the notion of these clinics before actually attending.
Jules came from Milwaukie, Oregon to open the clinic doors half an hour earlier than expected. She was placed in the screening check-in area due to her past experience as a medical receptionist. Jules had recently graduated from Portland State University but not had much luck in finding a job. She is on unemployment and beginning to get involved volunteering through event postings on Facebook. This was her first clinic and she hoped to be involved with future clinics or other similar events.
According to Jules, a line had stretched down the street for hours in the rain before the doors were opened. Many people had even spent the night in their cars to guarantee a spot for health checks. At 8:30am she began signing people up for appointments, along with eight other volunteers at the check-in area. This was the first station attendees of the clinic were introduced to. Those still awaiting a screening check-in were greeted by the hospitality team.
The hospitality team involved the most volunteers of any group. They had the important task of “making the clinic seem less like a clinic” according to Milan Homola, Executive director of Compassion Connect. These volunteers were also given the tasks of providing attendees with directions around the school, distributing food and drinks, connecting them with necessary resources or simply being friendly. They wandered around the clinic throughout the event and randomly engaged attendees they noticed in their path.
Katie was an extremely cheery volunteer on the hospitality team. She stopped numerous people with questions concerning their current search around the clinic. She had discovered the event through her friend Aaron, who heard from his parents, they both expressed a need for more promotion of the event. The two friends were hoping to attend another clinic when they find out more information about it. They had hoped to receive some of the free care, but were too busy volunteering and many stations were filling up. Like Jules, both Katie and Aaron “have been unemployed for over a year, we aren’t very interesting” and would like to use all their free time for something meaningful. This actually seems very interesting and progressive compared to the stereotypes attached to unemployed individuals. These volunteers seemed a perfect match for the event as they were easily able to relate with so many attendees.
Hospitality volunteers, like Katie and Aaron, also worked with connecting attendees to resources in the social services fair. Booths were setup by secular social service programs in the greater Portland area to incorporate their experience in these areas of need. While attendees await their appointment for a medical or dental check they are able to mingle with volunteers, other attendees, and employees of the various programs in the fair. Almost every area of need was present in the fair; from Impact NW to the Community Energy Project and even the Feral Cat Coalition.
The Transformation Network booth has been present at numerous clinics. This booth was run by Kathleen and Vicki who have both participated in this particular clinic twice. Kathleen has also been involved in the downtown Portland clinic twice. They always enjoy meeting attendees of the clinics and connecting with other volunteers.
“Compassion Connect allows for the church to function in a different way that doesn’t often happen on a normal Sunday. Everyone is needed and everyone is helping (with these clinics),” Kathleen explained her admiration of the program and its involvement in communities. “One of the things I love is the whole city coming together as many, many, many churches being kind and bringing their expertise,” she added.
This booth is also connected to the group of volunteers on the prayer team. Most of them gather at the front near the screening check-in to pray for attendees as they enter or before they leave. Two of these volunteers wander throughout the clinic providing support and healing prayers. Vicki remembered a new tradition, “Last year, at the end, we prayed for all the doctors and dentist involved in the clinic. Helps them feel more like a part of the community.”
They also distribute Christian literature from the booth and near the free food and clothing area of the social services fair. This is another new tradition that began at a previous clinic after people showed interest in the few Spanish Bibles at the booth. Now they gather books in multiple languages throughout the year for clinics. Vicki exclaimed that, “It is just really neat how much kindness is shown (at the clinics) from so many people” and all areas of need are noticed. The pet care station and hair cutting station have been new additions that are very popular this year.
Compassion Connect is motivating churches to unite in their community and provide everyday needs for their neighbors. By providing supplies and organizing the logistics they act as the background network gathering all the details for the event. While the churches gather volunteers to participate in screening, health stations, haircuts, provide a lunch for everyone in attendance and the new area of follow-up interviews. This last station is in conjunction with a new website that allows for needs to be posted at any time and anyone to discover them online then fill the need if they can. (www.iampeople.org)
By connecting secular services, Christian churches, public schools and various volunteers from around the greater Portland area Compassion Connect is expanding communities. This network of involved individuals is spreading kindness through action.
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