I often have people ask me why I do what I do. My usual answer is, “because I can”. But the real reason is for my patients, the ones who no-one checks on, the ones whose voices are unheard, the ones around whom assumptions are made (many times wrong)….
This week on Tuesday, a woman was sobbing on the stairs of the bus, begging for me to get her off the streets. She had last used drugs earlier in the evening. “Wouldn’t you if you were out here?” She asked me between sobs. I hope I never have to find out! I had nowhere to offer her Tuesday, and she decided she wanted to see me Wednesday night under the bridge. I told her I would be there. We always try to keep our word because you need trust, you need hope. Wednesday night, there she was, where we had arranged. “I haven’t even used today,”…she was so proud of herself!! Sometimes it’s a day, sometimes 2 hours…I was proud of her!
She did an intake at a local detox, that was full, but she took their number and planned to call back in two days as she was directed to do.
She’s still on the street, but we brought her hope, we followed up, we gave her a glimmer, and tools to resources.
I had a meeting at work this week and we talked about hope, and that is huge…some people hope for love, money, and things…the people I care for look for hope in us, in a pair of socks, a backpack, in someone who truly cares, in someone they can hug and who won’t judge how they look.
That’s us, that’s me…hope….
Care Beyond the Boulevard
Every week, people in need watch for the big green bus because they know that quality medical care has arrived …
In 2017 Care Beyond The Boulevard registered over 900 patient encounters, treating everything from chronic illnesses such as diabetes, COPD and hypertension, to acute disease such as abscesses, burns, seizures, STD’s and frostbite.
Every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings we seek out the vulnerable in need of quality healthcare. We stop for any individual on a street corner or roadside who appears destitute/homeless, or anyone appearing in need of care.
If you would like to help, please join our team of volunteers by filling in the form and someone will contact you right away.
We want to here from you. Please use the space below for any questions or comments you may have about our services.
The CBB Team
Jaynell (“KK”) Assmann, President
Brandon Pomery MD, Vice President
Senia Shields, Secretary
Teresa Cordell, Treasurer
Chris Casper, member at large
Evie Craig, member at large
Vernette Lucas, member at large
Jonathan Jacobs, MD
Care Beyond The Boulevard, Inc.
A Kansas Non-Profit Corporation
A 501(c)(3) IRS tax exempt organization
(c) Care Beyond The Boulevard, Inc. – All Rights Reserved
Through the generosity of people like you, our work makes a difference in the lives of many people in our area that find themselves unable to afford the high cost of quality healthcare.
Thank You!
