|
Introduction
Health Care For
Homeless Veterans
Florida Assertive
Community Treatment
Helping Hands
Clinic
Veterans Video
Network
Mental Health
Intensive Case Management
Crisis
Intervention Team
Assisted Living
Facilities
National Alliance
On Mental Illnesses
Alachua County
Survivors Of Suicide and Alachua County Crisis Center
Mental Health
Court
Acknowledgements |
|
Many of the local homeless view Randy and Cynthia Stacey as heroes.
They are the founders of the Helping Hands Clinic, a volunteer run
clinic that first opened its doors to the homeless in 1989. Randy
Stacey, the originator of the VA hospital's Mental Health Intensive
Case Management Program and Cynthia Stacey, a nurse practitioner at
the VA, saw a need for indigent care in Gainesville and thus started
the clinic. Initially, the clinic was shelter based, located in the
recreation hall of the Salvation Army. For years, the clinic opened
every Monday at 5:00 p.m., after the Salvation Army finished serving
dinner, and did not close until the last patient was seen. The
Monday evening tradition continues at the clinic’s new location--the
First United Methodist Church.
Social workers, registered nurses, advanced registered nurse
practitioners, physicians, and community service volunteers staff
the clinic. A small number of regular volunteers are persons who at
one point needed the services of the clinic and would like to give
back in some way.
The most common ailments that patients seek treatment for are upper
respiratory infections, severe dental problems, traumatic injuries,
skin problems, and high blood pressure. Many patients admit to
substance abuse or other psychiatric illness. In 1991, under the
leadership of Richard Christensen (UFCOM psychiatrist), the clinic
began providing psychiatric services including medication
management, crisis counseling and supportive therapy. Psychiatrists
from the University volunteer their services every other Monday
night at 5:00 p.m.
The Helping Hands Clinic is the only source of referral and funding
for eye examinations and prescription glasses in Gainesville. The
clinic also offers clients numerous material resources including
personal hygiene items, socks, shoes, blankets, clothes for the
winter, reading glasses and paperback books.
The clinic is funded by donations, and continues to receive the
support of numerous individuals, businesses, churches, community
agencies, coalitions and groups, professional and civic
organizations and clubs.
For donations or volunteer information, please contact Randy Stacey,
MSW, Clinic Director 352-373-6884.
|
