Compassion Clinic aims to assist uninsured

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Since starting out four years ago as a one-day event to provide medical and dental care to the uninsured and underinsured population in Clark County, Compassion Clinic continues to offer those services and much more.

This year, Compassion Clinic will be held Sat., Sept. 20, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at View Ridge Middle School, 510 Pioneer St., Ridgefield. Compassion Ridgefield is a collaborative effort of area churches, volunteers and health care professionals working together to bring one day of free medical, dental and social services to Clark County individuals who are in need.

According to the Compassion Ridgefield website, the goal of the one-day event is “to provide basic medical examinations, dental cleanings, exams and emergency treatment, chiropractic care, eye exams, a community-based social service fair, free childcare for individuals receiving treatment and free lunch.”

Allison Meade, co-director of Compassion Ridgefield, said this is the fourth year Ridgefield is putting on a Compassion Clinic. She said Frieda Goode, the visitation pastor at Ridgefield Church of the Nazarene, spearheaded the event the first three years.

Co-directors of this year’s event are Meade, Kari Goode and Sarah Stuart.

Meade said the event has continued to expand over the past few years.

“The need for dental care grows every year and we are doing our best to expand the amount of services we can offer,” Meade said. “Our social services fair is also growing and we are able to expand a little every year. For example, offering free clothing the past few years.”

This year’s social services fair will offer free haircuts, free massage, a kids zone, free lunch, used clothing giveaway and several other additional services.

During last year’s one-day Compassion Clinic, the organization was able to provide the following: medical – 44 physician exams, 30 labs, 20 chiropractic services, 36 vision services, eight audiology services, 14 foot care services and 34 prescriptions; dental – 63 exams, 18 cleanings, 18 extractions, 51 X-rays, two root canals and 42 fillings.

They also had 28 tables at their social service fair, which made it possible for several community organizations to provide guests with useful information. Meade said the kids zone at last year’s event was “amazing” and provided children with fun activities such as a cake walk, magic show, super slide and a movie with popcorn.

They also gave away clothing, flowers, books, cookies, cupcakes, bicycles, a bag filled with gifts, 26 free haircuts, snacks and approximately 450 free meals.

Meade said Compassion Ridgefield has their clinic annually, but there are other organizations in other areas who hold them sporadically. She said they have had quite a large turnout at the event the past few years, and they unfortunately often have to turn people away for dental care because the demand is so high.



Although Compassion Clinic primarily serves adults at this point, Meade said they can see children at the event if they have medical needs. People wishing to attend the Compassion Clinic do not need to pre-register, just simply show up at the school during the event. Anyone who is uninsured or underinsured is welcome to utilize the medical and dental services, but all are welcome to attend the social services fair.

“Just show up,” Meade said. “First-come, first-served basis. We encourage anyone needing services, especially dental, to arrive early.”

Meade said they are still in need of people who are interested in volunteering their time and services at the Compassion Clinic. She said they are definitely in need of doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, dentists, nurses and dental hygienists.

Anyone wishing to volunteer can go to the Compassion Ridgefield website, http://compassionridgefield.org, which has contact information for the directors and a link to sign up to volunteer.

For more general information on what the Compassion Clinics are all about, visit http://www.compassionconnect.com/models/compassion-clinics.

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: Compassion Ridgefield Clinic

WHEN: Sat., Sept. 20, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

WHERE: View Ridge Middle School, 510 Pioneer St., Ridgefield

DETAILS: Free medical and dental services for those who are uninsured or underinsured, social services fair offering free haircuts, used clothing giveaway, free lunch, kids zone and more

MORE INFORMATION: Visit http://compassionridgefield.org