Submitted by Dr. Diana Yu, MD, MSPH, Health Officer for Thurston and Mason Counties
As part of the Homeless Connect Project in Thurston County last Thursday, the Thurston County Medical Reserve Corps was activated to provide some medical services. The request came from the City of Olympia last month as they were planning the Project Homeless Connect. The annual homeless census is done in communities throughout the US on the last Thursday in January each year. This year, several agencies and service programs were asked to join in the effort to provide additional services for the homeless when they came in to be counted.
On a rainy January morning, people in yellow and blue vests were walking around 8th and Franklin downtown as the first group of homeless adults and families queued up to enter the First Christian Church. A portable warmer and several tents were set up on the street. Inside, hot biscuits and gravy, coffee, juice and a warm place to sit surrounded tables set up by social service agencies offering: housing, veterans, mental health and youth programs. Next door at the Temple Beth Hatfiloh, a separate group of volunteers turned the activity room into a make-shift service center for vision, dental and medical screening. Near the exit was another referral and resource group to help folks navigate their way to the health care services they needed.
One of the volunteers gave us all a gentle reminder during our initial briefing. “Just remember that a homeless person is a person, just like you and I. Treat them as you would like to be treated.” Throughout the day, more than 50 volunteers worked under the auspices of the Thurston County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) included volunteers from the Union Gospel Mission, The Olympia Free Clinic, SeaMar Community health Clinics and the Olympia Host Lion’s Club.
Services provided included vision screening, dental screening, medical screening and vaccinations for influenza and Whooping cough. Medical services were offered from 9am – 5pm and about 41 individuals were served.
The MRC works under the direction of the Thurston County Public Health & Social Services Department to provide surge capacity during public health emergencies. The group of volunteer medical and non-medical professionals set up vaccine clinics, first aid centers and other services throughout the year. Each community service project is an opportunity to connect with community partners to better prepare for a community wide emergency or disaster.
JOIN US. Are you likely to volunteer to help others during an emergency or disaster? Do you have skills, or desire to work alongside medical professionals to help your community? If so, you are just the person we want to meet. Check us out on our website to look at the requirements for membership, training and meeting schedules. You can also find us on Facebook under Thurston County Medical Reserve Corps.
