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We have long recognized the need to
work with the very poor who were not connected to proper healthcare. The
concept for the Hollywood Healthcare Partnership was developed in 2003 and the
ministry was started in January 2004.
The vision for this health ministry is
to provide comprehensive outreach to homeless and very-low income persons who
need essential healthcare and social services but cannot access them due to a
lack of resources and personal abilities for self-care, and to address their
physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual
health needs. This is accomplished
through a partnership of faith-based, government, and non-profit organizations.
Partnership Members include: LA
County-Hollywood Mental Health, QueensCare Health and Faith Partnership,
Behavioral Health Services, LA County Health Department, Hunger Action Los
Angeles, US Vets, Hollywood Community Action Network and First Presbyterian
Church of Hollywood.
Services:
This program meets on Wednesdays at FPCH at 10:30am.
We offer services to approximately 150
guests each week. These include:
- Health services are offered through
the QueensCare Parish Nurse, Brenda Cox and those who assist her on Wednesdays.
She triages on average 20-25 clients. Volunteer assistance is provided by
Judith Mendez, Colleen Cady, Phyllis Maske and Liz Smith. Vickie Bangle,
chairperson of the Health Cabinet brings healthcare management experience and
visioning skills to help with program development.
- LA County Department of Mental Health
provides a Clinical Psychologist on site and a mental health promoter. Adrienne
Hament, one of the co-founders of the Partnership coordinates communication
between partners and schedules and moderates partnership meetings.
- LA County Health Department provides
Public Health nurses, flu vaccines, public health education, and STD screening.
- Behavioral Health Services provides
addiction recovery programs in their Hollywood office.
- Healthy diets are encouraged by
serving fresh fruits at the ministry.
- Low-impact exercise is provided for
our guests twice a month and is led by a local exercise therapist.
- Social Services are offered by
Hollywood Community Action Network
- Case management, needs assessment and
crisis intervention is provided by the Director of DCM.
- Transportation assistance in the form
of bus tokens is provided by DCM.
- Prayer and guidance is provided by
the Director of DCM
We have seen a number of guests put
their faith in Christ. We have guided them to become a part of Union Rescue
Mission, a Christian full-service ministry to the homeless. As of 2010, Union
Rescue Mission is a partner to the Wednesday Healthcare Partnership providing
food weekly.
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