As of April 27th 2009, Dawn to Dawn launched a crucial support service to individuals who are homeless and those at-risk in the Comox Valley-the CARE-A-VAN mobile health care unit. Our objective is to improve access to various health care and social services to these individuals who cannot or will not go to fixed-site clinics.
View our PHOTO GALLERY
The CARE-A-VAN (CAV) operates from a purposely converted motorhome. The use of this vehicle was generously donated by Mr. Barry Willis of Sunwest RV Centre. The mobile vehicle was converted by volunteer efforts of staff from Sunwest Auto and Sunwest RV. The CAV clinic is dedicated to providing health-care services directly to the hardest to reach individuals, those who are homeless.
The program also builds bridges with individuals who are often without resources or advocates. This front-line approach also has the added benefit of cost containment — providing less expensive primary care alternatives than emergency rooms.
Our mobile health-care clinic operates in the evening hours and one afternoon per week at various locations throughout the community. The CAV often represents the first and sometimes the only health-care provision that a homeless individual may receive.
Initial service is directed to the Courtenay-Comox area. To date, 16 health-care practitioners are volunteering to staff the mobile clinic, comprising 12 nurses, 3 physicians, an optometrist and a dentist. The volunteer drivers are skilled outreach workers in the field of mental health and addictions.
If you would like to support the activities of Dawn to Dawn please mail your cheque to Unit 6C-821 Shamrock, Comox. V9M 3P6.
MAJOR FUNDERS OF THE CARE-A-VAN PROJECT
BARRY WILLIS AND SUNWEST RV AND AUTO
ANONYMOUS DONOR
COMOX VALLEY FOUNDATION
COMOX ROTARY CLUB
SALVATION ARMY
LIVING ROOM PHARMACY
FRIENDS OF THE CARE-A-VAN
DONORS TO THE CARE-A-VAN PROJECT
WORLD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
SERIOUS COFFEE
CUMBERLAND REGIONAL LAUNDRY SERVICES SOCIETY
NEIL HAVERS DESIGN
LORDCO AUTO PARTS
GRANT FLOORS
VAN ISLE WINDOWS AND DOORS
UPPER ISLAND MOTORS
SEVEN GROUP
COTTAGE MEDICAL
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
SALVATION ARMY
AIDS VANCOUVER ISLAND
COMOX VALLEY TRANSITION SOCIETY
WAICHAY FRIENDSHIP CENTRE
COMOX VALLEY NURSING CENTRE
HOME & COMMUNITY CARE
PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING
ST. JOSEPH’S HOSPITAL
CARE-A-VAN Coordinator:
Helen Boyd
Field of Expertise: Nursing and Mental Health and Addiction Therapist
dawntodawn@telus.net