I just wanted to take a second to note how well things have been going for the Mobile Express. I buried the lede a bit in my previous post, but the Medworks event in Cleveland was truly extraordinary. With over 100 eligibility estimates done over one weekend, there's potential for lots of benefits to go to Cleveland's low income residents. And we were just icing on the cake when you consider that hundreds of people were able to see a doctor for the first time in who knows how long.
And now word is coming out of Tiffin that since our event on July 21, Benefit Bank sites in the area have increased by 150%. Now, should anyone need help in the future, their needs will more easily be met.
Obviously there are events that don't pan out the way we'd like. And there are other events where we talk to people but we can't be sure if it will lead to more Benefit Bank sites or more enrollments. But seeing tangible results like this... it feels good.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Busy Busy Busy
I know we haven't checked in for over a week. Thankfully, we're chock full of excuses. The big excuse? We've been on the road all week.
The last time we updated, it was regarding the very successful event in Tiffin, OH. Since then, we've been to the Carroll County Fair where I tried my first fried-cheese-on-a-stick. I wasn't a fan. I was imagining a gigantic mozzarella stick but this was just fried cornbread with a tasteless gooey center. I much prefer the fried Twinkies.
The next day the Mobile Express made its way to an event in Lousiville, OH. Since we were stationed next to a Mobile Blood Bank, I took the opportunity to donate two units of type-A-positive red blood cells. This was my first time donating the two units. It involved a centrifuge that separated the red blood from the plasma. To make sure the donor doesn't pass out, they actually feed the plasma (along with some saline) back into you. That was super-weird, but definitely worth it. Now I can't give blood for another four months instead of two. I saved myself a finger prick!
The events in Carrollton and Louisville were relatively slow, but that all changed the following weekend. We found ourselves in Cleveland at a health care event for the uninsured. The event, sponsored by Medworks, was truly amazing. To help illustrate the power of this event, I refer you to this piece by Cleveland Plain-Dealer columnist Connie Schultz. We knew this was something special when we were working there, but that column really drives it home. It very likely saved lives.
The idea behind this event was that people could make appointments in advance (approximately 1,000 patients were booked) and then see a doctor at no cost. Prescriptions were filled out. Eyeglasses were distributed. Some learned of threatening health conditions and some were even sent to the emergency room on the spot.
After getting their health needs taken care of, these patients were then brought to us. Many were eligible for benefits, including prescription assistance that could help ease the cost of refilling their newly obtained pills. We saw hundreds of people and most were eligible for something.
So, yes, it was a very busy couple of days. Thankfully, we get a bit of respite during the Ohio State Fair. The Mobile Express is parked in the Marketplace at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Ohio Benefit Bank counselors will be present. Stop by and say "hi!"
The last time we updated, it was regarding the very successful event in Tiffin, OH. Since then, we've been to the Carroll County Fair where I tried my first fried-cheese-on-a-stick. I wasn't a fan. I was imagining a gigantic mozzarella stick but this was just fried cornbread with a tasteless gooey center. I much prefer the fried Twinkies.
The next day the Mobile Express made its way to an event in Lousiville, OH. Since we were stationed next to a Mobile Blood Bank, I took the opportunity to donate two units of type-A-positive red blood cells. This was my first time donating the two units. It involved a centrifuge that separated the red blood from the plasma. To make sure the donor doesn't pass out, they actually feed the plasma (along with some saline) back into you. That was super-weird, but definitely worth it. Now I can't give blood for another four months instead of two. I saved myself a finger prick!
The events in Carrollton and Louisville were relatively slow, but that all changed the following weekend. We found ourselves in Cleveland at a health care event for the uninsured. The event, sponsored by Medworks, was truly amazing. To help illustrate the power of this event, I refer you to this piece by Cleveland Plain-Dealer columnist Connie Schultz. We knew this was something special when we were working there, but that column really drives it home. It very likely saved lives.
The idea behind this event was that people could make appointments in advance (approximately 1,000 patients were booked) and then see a doctor at no cost. Prescriptions were filled out. Eyeglasses were distributed. Some learned of threatening health conditions and some were even sent to the emergency room on the spot.
After getting their health needs taken care of, these patients were then brought to us. Many were eligible for benefits, including prescription assistance that could help ease the cost of refilling their newly obtained pills. We saw hundreds of people and most were eligible for something.
So, yes, it was a very busy couple of days. Thankfully, we get a bit of respite during the Ohio State Fair. The Mobile Express is parked in the Marketplace at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Ohio Benefit Bank counselors will be present. Stop by and say "hi!"
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Famous in Tiffin :-)
The mobile went to Tiffin on Tuesday July 22. The local paper captured the event here --front page in fact. We are becoming famous in small circles!
Twenty families/individuals enrolled in programs, while many others completed Quick Checks to see if they were eligible for benefits. We found that most people were or would be eligible soon for benefits.
Gayle Loyola was the regional coordinator on site. She did an excellent job of organizing the event and it went off without a hitch. The pizza and salad were lovely surprises.
Folks in Tiffin are pleasant and patient. In some cases, even with 6 counselors in action, people needed to wait to be seen. All in all, it was a great event.
Twenty families/individuals enrolled in programs, while many others completed Quick Checks to see if they were eligible for benefits. We found that most people were or would be eligible soon for benefits.
Gayle Loyola was the regional coordinator on site. She did an excellent job of organizing the event and it went off without a hitch. The pizza and salad were lovely surprises.
Folks in Tiffin are pleasant and patient. In some cases, even with 6 counselors in action, people needed to wait to be seen. All in all, it was a great event.
Jazz and Ribs? Sign Us Up!
The King Arts Complex and Smooth Jazz 103.5 are sponsoring a Heritage Concert Series featuring local jazz bands. BBQ was readily available.
Also readily available: the Mobile Express. Although, I must say, it can be very difficult to help clients in a musical setting. It turns out concerts are quite loud.
Erin and I persisted and were able to speak to dozens of people who were interested in what the Ohio Benefit Bank had to offer. The turnout at the concert was fantastic and we're always glad to talk to people in happier settings. Being surrounded by music and community definitely leads to good moods. That goes for clients and for counselors.
Also readily available: the Mobile Express. Although, I must say, it can be very difficult to help clients in a musical setting. It turns out concerts are quite loud.
Erin and I persisted and were able to speak to dozens of people who were interested in what the Ohio Benefit Bank had to offer. The turnout at the concert was fantastic and we're always glad to talk to people in happier settings. Being surrounded by music and community definitely leads to good moods. That goes for clients and for counselors.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Project L.O.V.E.
Formed in 1993, Project L.O.V.E. (Love Our Kids...Vaccinate Early) has been working towards immunizing Columbus's children.
From their website:
When Project L.O.V.E. began, local immunization rates were estimated to be at 40 percent and have since improved to 86.4 percent. Franklin County was recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in March 2006 for having the highest urban immunization rate in the country.
That's pretty impressive.
Erin and I were honored to take the Mobile Express to a Project L.O.V.E. event in the King-Lincoln Bronzeville neighborhood of Columbus. We figured our target audience would be young mothers and lower income families. And we saw plenty of that demographic. But because the event was centrally located in a public square, we got a little bit of everyone.
I helped one person fill out an application for a Golden Buckeye card. Unfortunately, I've been seeing this a lot. There appear to be lots of Ohioans who are over 60 or are disabled who don't have this valuable discount card (which also includes a prescription discount plan).
If anyone you know is over 60 or disabled and isn't getting $0.39 sodas at McDonald's, please apply for your Golden Buckeye card immediately! There are no income requirements. Just age and/or disability. The list of businesses who offer Golden Buckeye discounts is truly massive and we want to make sure people are taking advantage of it.
From their website:
When Project L.O.V.E. began, local immunization rates were estimated to be at 40 percent and have since improved to 86.4 percent. Franklin County was recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in March 2006 for having the highest urban immunization rate in the country.
That's pretty impressive.
Erin and I were honored to take the Mobile Express to a Project L.O.V.E. event in the King-Lincoln Bronzeville neighborhood of Columbus. We figured our target audience would be young mothers and lower income families. And we saw plenty of that demographic. But because the event was centrally located in a public square, we got a little bit of everyone.
I helped one person fill out an application for a Golden Buckeye card. Unfortunately, I've been seeing this a lot. There appear to be lots of Ohioans who are over 60 or are disabled who don't have this valuable discount card (which also includes a prescription discount plan).
If anyone you know is over 60 or disabled and isn't getting $0.39 sodas at McDonald's, please apply for your Golden Buckeye card immediately! There are no income requirements. Just age and/or disability. The list of businesses who offer Golden Buckeye discounts is truly massive and we want to make sure people are taking advantage of it.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Harrison County Fair
Yesterday the Mobile Express made the long and winding trip to Cadiz, OH, hometown of the legendary Clark Gable, for the Harrison County Fair.
Unfortunately, we didn't have a lot of luck getting any bites at the fair. To add insult to injury, the fair didn't have an ATM. Erin and I were foiled from buying the fried pickles and corn dogs we craved.
However, as a city boy, I admit I was pretty excited to see my first swine, my first Holstein Cow, and, on the road, my first turkey vulture and first groundhog.
One of the things I really enjoy about working with the Mobile Express is that I get to travel in a state that really does offer a lot of things. There are mountains and plains. Big cities with skyscrapers and small towns with only one stop light. International Houses of Pancakes and Waffle Houses.
So even though we didn't get anyone signed up, I at least got to experience a new part of Ohio.
Unfortunately, we didn't have a lot of luck getting any bites at the fair. To add insult to injury, the fair didn't have an ATM. Erin and I were foiled from buying the fried pickles and corn dogs we craved.
However, as a city boy, I admit I was pretty excited to see my first swine, my first Holstein Cow, and, on the road, my first turkey vulture and first groundhog.
One of the things I really enjoy about working with the Mobile Express is that I get to travel in a state that really does offer a lot of things. There are mountains and plains. Big cities with skyscrapers and small towns with only one stop light. International Houses of Pancakes and Waffle Houses.
So even though we didn't get anyone signed up, I at least got to experience a new part of Ohio.
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