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!

Dear Loyal Care-a-van Donors

We are grateful to you for your ongoing financial contributions to the Care-a-van. Our mission is to provide innovative, safe and ethical health and social development services to people who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness in the Comox Valley by providing trusting relationships that improve consistency and continuity of care.

With your dedication and our 50 member multidisciplinary team of volunteer health care providers, we have served over 1700 people in ten years.

Within the last three years there has been a 47% increase in homeless people using our services. The Care-a-van has offered 19 programs: Nursing, Physicians, Dental, Denturist, Audiology, Optometry, Counselling, Chiropractic, Occupational Therapy, Mental Health & Addictions Service, Advocacy & Literacy, Social Work navigators, Pharmacy, Vet, Food & Supplies,Clothing, Water, Hygiene & Laundry, Harm Reduction, and Community & Professional Development, to those in need within our community. Last year alone we served 484 unique individuals.

How we care for the most vulnerable people in our community is a demonstration of our values. We know that living conditions can be rough, especially during the coldest nights of the year. Without generous donations from our sponsors and community members like you, we would not be able to continue providing services that are changing people’s lives.

Going into 2020, our goal is to raise $76000 so we can stay in operation 4 afternoon/evenings per week and continue to offer a full complement of programs; responding to the changing needs of the population we serve. To do so we need your help. There are many ways to give. You can sponsor several full days of operational service and subsidized programs for $365 dollars/day, earmark funds for a certain program by specifying on the memo portion of a cheque, make a monthly contribution using paypal on our website, provide a series of post dated cheques, create a unique fundraiser, or donate skills and supplies.

With your support we can continue rolling the Care-a-van out in all weather and seasons providing interventions that prevent homelessness, stabilize health, increase social connections and improve access to the determinants of health to people who need our services the most.

For more information contact our Coordinator Sabina Acheson at 250-331-1413 or visit our website www.cvcareavan.ca

Thank you for your support and consideration,

Sincerely

Sabina Acheson RN, BScN CHN, Care-a-van Coordinator

and Bob Kallio Board Member, Fundraising Committee

DENTAL STORIES:

Dental Stories:

2020 Fundraising Goal

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