Dawn to Dawn: Action on Homelessness Society’s CARE-A-VAN was launched on April 27th 2009 without any governmental funding. The CARE-A-VAN, a 27 foot refurbished mobile home completed by Sunwest Auto & RV can be seen travelling the streets of Courtenay on a designated route three times a week. Sixteen healthcare professionals: nurses, doctors, pharmacist and eight drivers donate 2 shifts a month of their professional expertise and time to improve access and deliver healthcare directly to the homeless population of the Comox Valley.
The only one of its kind west of Calgary, the CARE-A-VAN is the envy of large urban centres such as Vancouver and Victoria who do not have one. The CARE-A-VAN can assist with health assessments, dressing changes, ear irrigations, wound care, make appropriate referrals, and provide health teaching. The CARE-A-VAN works closely with its partner agencies: Salvation Army, Waichay Friendship Centre, Transition Society, Nursing Centre, AIDS Vancouver Island, Cold Weather Outreach and most recently with Public Health administering over 60 immunizations aboard the CARE-A-VAN for H1N1 and seasonal flu.
“Providing healthcare is part of the prevention of homelessness, if you don’t have your health you jeopardize your ability to work and therefore of meeting your basic needs”: says the Coordinator of the CARE-A-VAN program and co-founder of Dawn to Dawn: Action on Homelessness Society, Helen Boyd a nurse and mental health therapist.
In addition, the CARE-A-VAN is working closely with North Island College’s Nursing Program to develop a partnership, providing the nurses of tomorrow an opportunity to learn first hand of the struggles of our local homeless population. Fourth year Nursing Student Valerie Schultz who took on the task of evaluating the client satisfaction with the program states: “Overwhelmingly, the response has been positive from the individuals who have been served by the CARE-A-VAN. What comes out repeatedly is how they are cared for with respect and dignity”. Something they feel does not happen often in the more traditional delivery of healthcare.
In its first six months alone of operation, the CARE-A-VAN provided services to 83 individuals which represent 1/3 of the estimated 250 absolute homeless in the Comox Valley according to a 2008 survey. Only 1/3 of those seen had a family physician. The most common reasons for seeking the services of the mobile van were cuts and wounds, nutrition, addictions, and dental needs. The CARE-A-VAN initiative is supported by the CV Foundation, Comox Rotary, Salvation Army and an Anonymous Donor and friends of the CARE-A-VAN.
The strength of the program states Boyd:” is with the compassion of the healthcare professionals and drivers that serve on the CARE-A-VAN and the resilience of the people that come”. If you would like to support the CARE-A-VAN program please send your cheques to: CARE-A-VAN- Dawn to Dawn, Unit 6C – 821 Shamrock Place, Comox, BC Canada V9M 3P6. A charitable tax receipt will be issued for donations of $25.00 or more.