 |
(From left to right) UNMC’s Ira Combs and Jackie Hill prepare flu shots at the Fifth Annual “Mission Possible” event at the Open Door Mission on Nov. 11 |
He just looks at who shows up for the annual “Mission Possible” health fair at Omaha’s Open Door Mission.
The Open Door Mission is the primary social service agency assisting the homeless, transient and indigent families and individuals in the area. The Fifth Annual “Mission Possible” event was held Nov. 11.
“It is very important that we be here each year,” Combs said. “The Open Door Mission has its annual ‘Super-Duper Clothing Giveaway’ and simultaneous sign-up for Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets, gifts and other assistance. The multiple giveaways really draw a crowd by the hundreds — a great many of whom would probably not come in such numbers for just health screenings alone.
“What I’ve noticed in five years is that less and less health resource organizations come out to help these people, but more people are coming here in need. Poverty is definitely increasing in the Omaha area.”
Combs and the volunteer band of health professionals and students worked for just 3½ hours but administered 256 flu shots, 80 blood pressures, 33 blood draws for cholesterol and glucose levels, 28 HIV tests and 14 PSA prostate screenings.
The Open Door Mission is operating at capacity and currently turns away hundreds of people each month because they do not have living space to house them. One of the least understood aspects about its clients’ condition is that many clients are actually working poor — they have jobs but don’t make enough money to sustain themselves with rent and adequate food and support. This situation affects more and more children today. The annual giveaway focuses on providing food, clothing — especially cold weather apparel — and flu shots.
“This is the very population that is most vulnerable to the common cold and other ailments,” said Candace Gregory, president and CEO of Open Door Mission and Lydia House, the companion unit that only serves indigent women and children. “Many of our clients have very limited transportation, so having a day when they can get everything at one time is a real blessing to them. Anyone with asthma or diabetes or who has children with these kinds of conditions risks worse illness and hospitalization without that flu shot.
“The community will have to eat these extended costs when the poor become sicker. We know the health screenings and staff support sponsored by UNMC, Access Medicaid, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Omaha Kids Connection and Charles Drew Health Center is really cost effective for the entire community. We can pay a little now and help a lot of families or pay a whole lot more later.”
The annual “Mission Possible” health fair left all the volunteers with a real satisfaction of having made a difference in the lives of numerous children and their parents, Combs said.
For more information about how to help the Open Door Mission, call Natalie at 411-1111. For more information about how to assist UNMC health outreach programs, contact Ira Combs at 595-1458.