DENTAL STORIES:

Workplace injury, early pension, no benefits. A 55-year-old man who just started on CPP pension had left his position as a heavy machine mechanic after suffering neurological damage from exposure to industrial toxins. Since then 2 of his front teeth had fallen out due to nerve damage. The first time he came to the Care-a-Van was at the food bank stop. Someone in the line told him he should talk to the nurses about the dental program. He was rather surprised to find that his pension was so low that he could barely maintain housing. After working so many years he had not expected that his dental benefits would not carry over when he left the workplace. He pursed his lips while he spoke reluctantly admitting that he was a bit embarrassed that he had not paid more attention to pension stuff, he truly thought he would work much longer and know more closer to 65. He noted he was very self conscious and felt ashamed to ask for help. He identified "I have always been the one to help people, fixing the cars of single mothers, helping people with loans for their utility bills, cutting the neighbors grass when they are away, volunteering at fundraiser, you name it." Being away from work had been a hard adjustment for him and wanted to teach or retrain at something different. He worried that even if he did, he wouldn't make it past the interview because of his smile. Care-a-van supported him with obtaining a bridge to repair the teeth. He has gone on to teaching in trades and community service.

Dental Stories:

Pain free/ working poor. A low income single, working mother of 4 children diligently brought her children in for care at Cumberland dental using the Healthy kids’ program. She was in excruciating pain and had been going to walk in clinics to get antibiotics for an abscessed tooth which she could not afford to get repaired. She saved up part of the money needed for a root canal, but could not collect enough to complete the procedure in a timely fashion. A private donor in the community provided funds to the Care-a-van specified for single working parents without dental benefit. She was able to get the work done right away. We work with community partners to support people who are homeless or low income to obtain dental services. We help people who are eligible to gain an income source through the Ministry to ensure they have access to basic annual or biannual benefits for dental service. Through generous donations from the public we have been able to provide people with access to urgent and emergent care in cases where they would otherwise not be able to obtain dental.

Cold weather has turned out focus to seeking donations of:Mens/Womens/Non-binary socks & gloves, winter clothing layers, sleeping bags & blankets. Call 250-331-1413 to coordinate pick up or drop off! Thank you!

Care-A-Van Numbers Up

Guest User May 24, 2016

The Care-A-Van program has seen an increase in use over the last year. The Care-A-Van provides medical care for homeless individuals and has compiled its stats for the 2015 year. Spokesperson Helen Boyd says they served 197 people – an increase of about 60 from the previous year.

Care-A-Van Extends to Cumberland

Guest User May 12, 2016

Comox Valley Record, May 12th, 2016

The Comox Bay Care Society is expanding its health care service to the homeless and those at risk of homelessness in Cumberland. Beginning Friday, May 13, the Care-A-Van mobile health care unit will visit Cumberland weekly on Fridays from 1 to 1:45 p.m. on Dunsmuir Avenue between First and Third Streets. Everyone is welcome to drop in and help spread the word.

The referendum: Homelessness Supports Services

Guest User December 2, 2015

CBC Radio, December 2nd, 2015

Voters in the Comox Valley have just agreed to a new tax to fund housing solutions for homeless people and those at risk of becoming homeless.

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Homelessness in the Comox Valley

Guest User October 11, 2015

Ever wonder what Homelessness looks like in the Comox Valley? Here is a link to this important Fact Sheet.

The Care-A-Van Story

Guest User May 21, 2015

John enters the Care-A-Van for a meeting with the nurses. The Comox Bay Care Society Care-A-Van has been serving the Valley's most vulnerable citizens for six years. What started as a primary care unit has evolved to offer dental care, optometry, counselling and other services.

Care-A-Van catches those falling between the cracks

Guest User December 22, 2014

Comox Valley Record, December 22nd, 2014

Are you thinking of your end of the year donation to a good cause? Why not give locally to the Care-A-Van of the Comox Bay Care Society. For over five years, this grassroots organization has assisted over 850 distinct individuals in the Comox Valley via its mobile health-care clinic. The primary goal of the Care-A-Van is the prevention and early intervention of homelessness.

Sock It To 'Em Project

Guest User November 4, 2014

Comox Valley Echo, November 4th, 2014

Everybody likes to have warm, dry, happy feet. When you or someone on your gift list enjoys a snugly pair of beautiful hand-knit wool socks bought from the Comox Valley Sock It To ‘Em Project, each of your simple sock purchases provides up to 10 pair of high quality store-bought socks for someone who is homeless or in need in our community.

Care-A-Van continues to reach out to the homeless

Guest User May 20, 2014

Comox Valley Echo, May 20th, 2014

The Care-A-Van Mobile Healthcare Unit just celebrated its fifth anniversary recently. Looking back from its humble beginning on April 27, 2009, it has grown over the years to become a vital service that's geared towards helping the homeless population in the Comox Valley.

Care-A-Van: Five years of charitable health

Guest User May 16, 2014

Comox Valley Record, May 16th, 2014

For the past five years, the innovative Care-A-Van – a mobile outreach clinic serving individuals who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness – has been on the streets of the Comox Valley. To date, its volunteers have provided healthcare services to over 850 individuals at no cost. As we celebrate the fifth year of this success, it is fitting to look back at its brief history.

On the go. Mobile service provides primary care

Guest User May 12, 2014

Calgary Metro News, May 2014

The Care-A-Van is a highly effective mobile health-care outreach program in the Comox Valley community on Vancouver Island.