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 Nurses Mobilizing Change

Guest User May 1, 2014

Canadian Nurses Association, May 2014

Our Comox Valley community on Vancouver Island has a large number of homeless people, who live in very rough conditions out of doors, as well as many who are at high risk of being homeless. The community has limited resources for affordable housing and has large rural areas where those who are homeless might be staying. These people are an “invisible” part of the community living on the fringes of society. They are not glamorous. Nor do they benefit from any dedicated social programs. Actually, they face a lot of prejudice, including those related to mental health problems and addictions.

Christmas mixer truck on tour

Guest User November 29, 2013

Comox Valley Echo, November 29, 2013

The wonderful Cumberland Ready Mix Christmas truck will be out and about the Valley, raising funds for the Comox Bay Care Society’s Care-A-Van. The Cumberland Ready Mix Christmas truck will be out and about in the Comox Valley again this December.

Tapping Into Her Power

Guest User September 15, 2013

Canadian Nurse Magazine, Sept. 2013

Helen Boyd overcame a sense of powerlessness and hit the road to help the homeless in her community Much of the homelessness in British Columbia’s Comox Valley is hidden, says Helen Boyd: “You have to know where to look.” In its lush forests, nestled between the Strathcona mountain range and the sea, some hundred people live year round in dilapidated campers or tents. In its picturesque towns, young families stake out space in the living rooms of sympathetic friends for a night or two, then move on to the next temporary dwelling.

Comox Valley Students Proving They Can

Guest User May 28, 2013

Comox Valley Record, May 28th, 2013

Three groups raised money for the Comox Bay Care Society's Care-A-Van, which provides health, dental and optometry services to homeless people in the Comox Valley. Care-A-Van co-ordinator Helen Boyd gave students tours of the van outside Queneesh and noted students raised a total of $923 for the society.

Monarch Lions Support Care-A-Van

Guest User May 8, 2013

Comox Valley Record, May 8th, 2013

The Comox Valley Monarch Lions Club members recently presented a cheque in the amount of $2,500 to the Comox Bay Care Society to support the running of the Care-A-Van mobile health-care unit for the coming year. The money comes from the Monarch Lion’s community/ fundraising project selling reflective address signs.

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Courtenay Council Cares for Care-A-Van, and Other Community Groups

Guest User February 23, 2013

Comox Valley Record, February 23rd, 2013

Courtenay council approved $20,000 in two new grants this week to Comox Valley initiatives. Council approved the annual schedule gaming funds distribution, and the Comox Bay Care Society's Care-A-Van program will receive $15,000 this year.

Achievement Award for Care-A-Van Leader

Guest User February 22, 2013

Comox Valley Echo, Feb.22nd, 2013

The work of Comox registered nurse Helen Boyd with the Care-A-Van service has been recognized with a B.C. Community Achievement Award. The award – a medal and certificate - will be presented on March 14 at a ceremony at Government House in Victoria.

Comox Nurse Thrilled by 'Unbelievable Honour'

Guest User February 19, 2013

Comox Valley Record, Feb.19th, 2013

Care-A-Van co-ordinator Helen Boyd is among this year's recipients of the B.C. Community Achievement Awards, which honour those who have made a contribution as volunteers or in the course of their work. The Comox registered nurse is a mental health and addictions therapist. She established the mobile Care-A-Van unit that, under the auspices of the Comox Bay Care Society, brings medical attention to disenfranchised members of the community.

Comox Bay Care Society's Care-A-Van Continues to Give

Guest User December 18, 2012

Comox Valley Echo, Dec. 18th, 2012

Respect, dignity, warmth, shelter, health... these aren't the items that you would find on a typical Christmas wish list. These words shouldn't express wishes at all... these words describe basic human need. There are people in our own community who find these basic human needs out of reach. Homelessness lives right here in our community. Comox Bay Care Society was created to address the needs of the homeless population in the Comox Valley.

Businesses Unite to Support Care-A-Van

Guest User December 7, 2012

Comox Valley Record, Dec.7th, 2012

Peace on earth, goodwill toward others embodies the spirit of the season. This season, Cumberland Ready Mix, Hot Chocolates and 98.9 JET-FM have teamed up to promote awareness of the plight of the homeless in our community and raise funds to support the Comox Bay Care Society and its Care-A-Van.