Thursday, October 28, 2010

Help Grant Big Mike His WIsh

Big Mike, aka Michael Moore, is just a regular 13 year old kid, but he has End Stage Renal Disease and therefore can't experience the life of a regular 13 year old kid.  He has a wish of modest proportion and HHP is working with the ASB to help Mike get his wish granted.  It will take around $3,275 to grant him his wish and we are looking for your support.  To learn more about Big Mike and his story go to the link below.

 Big Mike: Let's make a wish!

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Welcome Back to School!

The 2010-2011 school year is upon us and the Humanitarian Health Partnership is excited about our first full year of activities and service. 

Wednesday September 1st will mark UMC's first annual Partners in Service Day and officially kick off HHP's year.   Renowned speaker Dr. Rick Donlon will speak on the process of serving the underserved and an "Opportunities in Service Fair" will follow.  If you are interested in learning more about Dr. Donlon you can read about him and his organization Christ Community Health Services here.

Also, as promised, below is information on all the organizations that are coming to our "Opportunities in Service" fair.  Look them up, give them a call, and go serve.

(1) Habitat for Humanity Metro/Jackson
Eliot Imhoff
Volunteer Development Coordinator
(601) 353-6060 ext.202 
eimhoff@habitatjackson.org

We build houses in the Jackson Metro area for families who qualify for our program and they pay back a no-interest mortgage.  We help to keep our costs low by using volunteer labor on all of our houses.  We have construction volunteer opportunities on Saturdays from 8:00 am-4:30 pm.  There are also landscaping opportunities about every other Saturday from 10 am-12 am. 

(2) The Center for Violence Prevention
Sandy Middleton, Executive Director
601-932-4198
smiddleton@mscvp.org   

Through out partnership with multiple community organizations and a committed staff focused on the needs of the domestic violence client, The Center for Violence Prevention advocates that every person has the right to a life free from violence.  Volunteers are encouraged to explore a multitude of service opportunities including medical support, child services, and victim support. 

(3) Bethlehem Center, Inc
Mattie Johnson
 (601) 355-0224
 mjoh344036@aol.com

Bethlehem Center, Inc is a Child Development/ Day Care/ After School Program.  We seek volunteers to serve as tutors for our kids who need extra help.  Our After-School program consists of about 18 students who mostly need help with homework.  Having volunteers assist with their need would make staying in school more positive.

(4) Contact the Crisis Line
Dorothy Triplett
Vice President of Training and Community Relations
601-750-1855 (cell)
dct003@bellsouth.net

We are a 24/7crisis line with trained volunteers that answer calls.  Potential volunteers are trained in 3 hour sessions that occur once a week for 13 weeks.  Additional information, including training topics, is available at www.contactthecrisisline.org.  We also operate the Reassurance Contact program that provides daily calls to elderly and disabled persons who live alone, as a safety check and for friendly conversation.  Our third program is Contacto Linea de Crisis, a statewide Spanish-language crisis line.  Our next training begins in mid-September. 

(5) Volunteers of Gleaners
Nancy Willis (M-F): 601-956-4740 (office)
Gio Chinchar (Saturday Only): 601-366-8837 (phone), giodc43@hotmail.com
Greg Chinchar (Saturday only): 4-1743 (phone), vchinchar@umc.edu

Gleaners collects food items from groceries, bakeries, hospitals, etc. and re-distributes them to various charitable agencies like Stewpot, Gateway Rescue Mission and others within the metro area.  Individuals are needed to pick up and sort collected items.  Gleaners needs volunteers from 8 am – 12 pm Mon-Fri; 1 – 3 pm Mon, Wed, Fri; and 8  – 10:30 am Sat.  In the past,  2 – 3 UMMC students have helped on Saturday mornings. 

(6) Salvation Army
The Salvation Army of the Greater Jackson Area
Cindy Cheeks: PR and Volunteer Coordinator
110 Presto Lane, Jackson, MS 39206
601.982.4881, ext. 115

The Salvation Army of the Greater Jackson Area helps those in need without discrimination, with the vision of moving lives from “entitlement to empowerment”.  Volunteer opportunities include: working in our Thrift Store Warehouse sorting donations, various seasonal projects such as stuffing back-packs for back-to-school, mentoring youth and adults to help them reach their goals, and other special events throughout the year such as serving meals at Thanksgiving.
Our largest annual drives, Angel Tree and Red Kettle Christmas Campaigns, require large numbers of volunteers to be successful.  Volunteer duties of these campaigns include Oct application intake for Angel Tree, collection and distribution of Angel gifts, and Bell Ringers for our 49 Red Kettle locations between Nov 15 and Dec 24.

(7) St. Dominic Hospital
Aimee Burrow
601-200-6975
aburrow@stdom.com

Today considered one of the region's most comprehensive hospitals, St. Dominic's boasts outstanding facilities offering a variety of programs and services. At the same time, our hospital has maintained its commitment to the healing ministry established by the Dominican Sisters over 60 years ago. We are proud to serve generations of the same family who appreciate our personal touch combined with high quality healthcare.  We are currently exploring more ways to provide volunteer opportunities for students.

(8) TEAAM (Together Enhancing Autism Awareness in Mississippi)
Dr. Mark H. Yeager, FAAIDD
601-733-0090
dryeager@TEAAM.org

TEAAM is a non-profit organization that provides support, information services, and inclusive adventure-based activities to individuals of all ages on the autism spectrum.  Students have an opportunity to serve as volunteers on adventures and learn about autism spectrum disorders.  Practicum and internships are available from time to time.

(9) Metro Jackson American Cancer Society office
JeanAnn Reeves
601-321-5503
jeanann.reeves@cancer.org

The American Cancer Society is the largest voluntary health organization in the nation.   In the Jackson area, we have volunteer opportunities in our Road to Recovery program.  This program provides transportation to area cancer patients who might not otherwise be able to get to chemotherapy, radiation or other cancer-related doctor’s appointments because their family may live in another area or are too sick to drive themselves. Interested volunteer drivers are trained locally and use their own vehicles.   All that is required is an hour and a half training and a MVR check.  The program has a flexible time commitment based solely on the volunteer’s availability. You may volunteer as much or as little of your time as you like.  Hours vary from week to week, depending on patient appointments.

(10) Jackson Medical Mall Foundation
Zakiya Summers
601.982.8467
zsummers@jacksonmedicalmall.org

The Jackson Medical Mall Foundation serves as the landlord for the Jackson Medical Mall Thad Cochran Center.  We are a non-profit that offers community and economic development opportunities for the Jackson Medical Mall area.  Some volunteer opportunities available for students include: (1) “Fresh Start” Career & College Fair occurs in Feb and offers local businesses and schools an outlet to recruit while giving Mississippians an opportunity to apply for a job or college; (2) Raise the Roof occurs Jul-Oct each year and is a rehab, housing project in which volunteers paint, clean, and do general carpentry work at 2-4 houses each session with lunch provided; (3) National Night Out in Aug is the Foundation’s way of fighting crime within the community and offers games, food, and fun to the area (4) Christmas Festival occurs in Dec and includes a vendor fair, parade, fashion show, and adopt-a-fence competition

(11) Make-A-Wish Foundation of Mississippi
Jane Walsh
601-366-9474, ext. 26
jwalsh@ms.wish.org

Our mission is to grant wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
We have 140 children waiting to have their wishes granted which makes our funding challenges tremendous and our most urgent volunteer opportunity. We need groups that can think of innovative fund raising events!  For instance, we have restaurants involved, so groups that frequent them could ask that a portion of the check go to grant a child’s wish.  Groups could also adopt a particular child, raise money for his or her wish, and be involved in the actual wish-granting.  This is a wonderful opportunity to get to meet the child you have raised funds for and see the smile you are putting on his or her face as the wish is revealed in your presence!

(12) Mississippi children’s Home Services
Ken Allen
Director of Development, Mississippi Children’s Home Services
601-709-1252
 Ken.allen@mchscares.org

Mississippi Children’s Home Services is a statewide 503c not-for-profit that provides a variety of services to Mississippi children based on their specific needs.  We aid children in a variety of ways with community shelters offering crisis and emergency services providing children a safe place to stay, Community-Based psychiatric services for children with serious emotional disturbances due to the trauma they have been exposed to in their lives, and Campus-Based services for children in need of our most intensive level of care.  Volunteer opportunities range from clerical and office support to regular activities coordinated by the staff including monthly birthday parties, classroom reading opportunities, and evening group activities.

(13) Jackson Free Clinic
Taylor McPherson
(601) 214-5380
tmcpherson@umc.edu

The Jackson Free Clinic is a student run free clinic that provides healthcare for the uninsured population in the Jackson area. JFC is open every Saturday from 12-5pm. Volunteers include medical students and physicians.  Medical students gain experience in patient interviewing, performing a physical exam, formulating a list of differential diagnoses, planning a work-up, and formal patient presentations in a very relaxed, non-threatening environment. Medical students from any year are encouraged to volunteer. Overseeing physicians come from the Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Med/Peds departments at UMHC.

(14) Christian Missionary Society-Peru Mission
www.perumission.org/medical-ministry/
Contact in Peru:    Dale Ellison, Peru Mission Medical Department Head, Trujillo, Peru, daleellison@perumission.org
Medical Doctor:     Dr. Marcus Ueltschey, mueltschey@comcast.net, will serve in Trujillo, Peru after completing language studies late 2010
Contact in US:     Brad Ball, Executive Director, Nashville, TN, 615.618.1535, bball@perumission.org

Peru Mission believes that the church is called to demonstrate the hope and healing that Christ brings in a tangible manner.  In accordance with that call, we currently operate a medical and dental clinic in the Wichanzao Parish in Trujillo staffed by Peruvian physicians, nurses, dentists, and support personnel.  As it is the church’s responsibility to care for her neighbor, our goal is to establish a medical clinic in every Parish community, thereby taking part in the advancement of God’s kingdom on earth.   Current volunteer opportunities include medical/dental work in the established clinics and medical/dental campaigns in surrounding communities.  Future opportunities will focus on the establishment of a maternity and newborn hospital currently under construction in Trujillo.

(15) UMHC Volunteer Services
Janet Crecink
601-984-2068
jcrecimk@umc.edu

We offer multiple opportunities at the adult, women’s, and children’s hospitals, many of which can fit into your daily work or school routine.  For instance you can help as a patient navigator or family liaison, positions that inform both patients and families and make their time of illness easier to bear.  Opportunities in the children’s hospital include playing with children in the activities room or reading to a child in the hospital or clinic. 
 
(16) Boys & Girls Clubs of Central MS
Randal Gray
601-918-6656
rgrayb@gccm.net

There are four units in Jackson, one in Bolton, & one in Canton. We are open Monday through Friday from the time our kids get out of school (2:30pm) until 7pm. During the summer, we’re open Monday through Friday from 7am- 6 pm. Our homework time is called Power Hour and begins as soon as kids arrive at the club and lasts until 4pm. We always need tutoring help during this period.  After 4pm we move on to our five core areas which are Character & Leadership, Education & Career Development, Health & Life Skills, The Arts, Sports, Fitness, & Recreation.

(17) Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi
Patricia Boyd
 601-957-7878
 triciaboyd@msdiabetes.org

The mission of the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi (DFM) is to provide hope through programs services and research to all Mississippians, children and adults, who have diabetes. The DFM addresses the need for education, awareness, and diabetes prevention programs through community health fairs and screenings, medical research, patient and professional education, outreach and awareness, and patient assistance. Our services are available to all Mississippians with diabetes.   Our volunteer opportunities include diabetes and cholesterol screenings throughout the year at community health fairs and screenings as well as manning booths at these events.  We also are always in need of office volunteers to help with patient assistance calls.  

(18) A Brave New Day
Maurice Brown  601 951 6939
Brownm118@aol.com

A Brave New Day is a community of survivors helping survivors.  We offer support services, advocacy and empowerment for anyone who faces a life-threatening illness or condition.  Our primary focus is HIV/AIDS, however, we also run programs having to do with addictions, domestic and child abuse, gay men’s health, women’s health, transgender support circle, profound loss and grief groups, life recovery, life skills and pro-interactive chronic disease self-management.  Social networking is big for us, also phone campaigns and in-person peer counseling.  We are a grassroots organization, always in need of assistance in developing our contact database, new programs and office innovations.  We certainly welcome volunteers!

(19) MedReach, Inc.
Steve and SL Hudson, Directors of International Medical Missions
Slhudson987@bellsouth.net
P O Box 9875 Mobile, Al. 36691
251-666-2539 0
251-776-4549 C

Come and go with us on a sixteen-day tent-based Medical Mission to the bush of East Africa, hosted by African national Jesus Film Teams. Each medical team will conduct a 3-day clinic the first week and a 4-day clinic the next, with a 2-day stay at a safari lodge in between. Thousands of lives will be changed physically and spiritually through our clinics, children’s ministry, pastor’s conferences, eyeglass stations, evangelism rooms, hut-to-hut ministry, and 3 Jesus Film showings nightly in remote areas.  We operate both American and African kitchens, dig latrines, and carry in bottled water. You’ll work side by side with nationals who are extremely dedicated to serving their people and their Lord. Cost is $3600 with upcoming trips in late December of this year to Uganda, and to Tanzania in June and July of next year. Each team of 28 Americans and 30 Africans will enjoy day time temps of 85 degrees with 65 degrees at night.  We witness miraculous transformation in both African and American lives.  Come help change the world and be changed yourself in the process.

(20) Mission First
Michelle Clark
601-608-0050
mclark@missionfirst.org

Mission First is a non-profit Medical and Dental Clinic that services individuals without medical insurance and with a household income below 30,000.  Patients are served by volunteer medical and dental professionals based on prearranged appointments.
Services include: physicals, blood pressure management, diabetes management, restorative dental care, dental check-ups, eye exams and nutritional services.
We need volunteer nurses, doctors, dentist, dental assistants and dental hygienist.   We also have a legal aid service in which law students are welcome to volunteer and a children’s program in which students can get involved.

(21) American Heart Association
Dawn Cavanaugh     
601.321.1221
dawn.cavanaugh@heart.org   

The American Heart Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to building healthier lives free from cardiovascular diseases and stroke. We are always in need of great volunteers to help with a variety of duties. We have several events such as the Metro Jackson Start! Heart Walk, Art for Heart (Heart Ball), the Go Red for Women luncheon, and the Go Healthy Challenge that every few months and volunteers are needed for all events. We also need volunteers to attend health fairs and perform a variety of office duties.

(22) Odyssey Hospice
Patricia J. Coward
601 664 8245        
pcoward@odsyhealth.com

Odyssey Hospice is dedicated to offering care that helps ease the pain and discomfort of terminally ill patients, while providing  psychosocial and spiritual support to both patients and families.  For those nearing  the end of life, caring companionship is often what patients and families need most.  Volunteers with a passion to serve can dramatically impact the quality of life for others.

(23) UMC: Ambulatory Medicine in Peru
Svenja Albrecht, MD, MPH
salbrecht@umc.edu
601-815-4260

Medical brigade for 2 weeks in remote river side communities in the Peruvian Amazon.  We work with an NGO, Project Amazonos, to set up clinics along 2 tributaries of the Amazon to provide healthcare to isolated villagers.  Participants generally include medical students, residents, pharmacists, infectious disease and other fellows and faculty.  For students, it is coupled with a 2 week didactic tropical medicine course.

(24) Stewpot
Tara Lindsey
601-353-2759
tlindsey@stewpot.org

We always need volunteers to organize our clothing closet, pass out groceries in the food pantry, serve lunch to the area homeless, organize and collect personal hygiene items or canned food, and tutor kids in our after school program. 

(25)Salt and Light Ministry Foundation
 Susan Exley
601-992-9681
 susanexley@bellsouth.net

The Salt and Light Ministry Foundation helps to maintain and ongoing ministry in Honduras (Sal y Luz).  There is a clinic open year-round with a Honduran doctor and dentist and full staff.  Brigades from the U.S.A. go 12-15 times each year and most offer some medical services. We would welcome students to join with a team during a planned trip.  There also could be opportunity to go and work with the Honduran medical staff at other times when a brigade is not present.

(26) Neighborhood Christian Center of Jackson

Elder James E. Turner, Sr.
O: 601-352-9049
M: 601-750-4133
 jetajbt@bellsouth.net

Our center is a safe place where we believe that education and sharing the love of Jesus Christ is the key to helping children succeed.  We do this through offering: after-school tutoring, summer academic programs and instruction in the visual and performing arts.  For adults in our community, we offer: classes in Parenting & Computer Literacy and assistance as needed with clothing and food.  We are always looking for volunteers to help in tutoring, share their story and to come and interact with our students.      

(27) Alzhimer’s Association MS Chapter
Sara Murphy
601-720-3309
 sara.murphy2@alz.org

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care support and research.  Our mission it to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.  The Mississippi Chapter provides free education and training and have currently over 29 support groups state-wide.  Volunteer opportunities include help with special fundraising events including our memory walks; help with programming and health fairs to help promote community awareness and education and provide office support.

(28) Here’s Life Mission to Africa
Victor P. Smith
601-932-2223
VPSmith1@aol.com
Here’s Life Mission to Africa has several groups go to Malawi and Tanzania to do medical mission work.  Included in this group are some doctors and individuals.  Should anyone have an interest in going, please give us a call as we would like to share our ideas with you.  We also drill much needed water wells in this area. 

(29) Central Mississippi Area Health Education Center
Sandra C. Hayes
601-987-0272
shayes@tougaloo.edu

The mission of the Central MS AHEC Program is to address the state’s health and health workforce needs by developing and implementing educational programs in partnership with academic institutions, health care agencies, and other organizations committed to improving the health of the people of Mississippi. These programs are targeted toward: 
    •    Improving the distribution and retention of healthcare providers, with a special emphasis on primary care and prevention.
    •    Improving the diversity and cultural competence of the health care workforce in all health disciplines.
    •    Enhancing the quality of care and improving health care outcomes.
    •    Addressing the health care needs of underserved communities and populations.

(30) The Mustard Seed
Elizabeth Adams
601-929-3556
Elizabeth@mustardseedinc.org

We are a Christian community for mentally challenged adults and welcome groups or individuals to help with activities for our clients or work projects around our campus.  For more information, please visit www.mustardseedinc.org

(31) Mississippi Health First
Stacey Farrell
601-842-4636   
sfarrell@umc.edu

IQH is the Medicare QIO for the state of MS.  Through MS Health First we are currently offering free diabetes self management classes to under-served Medicare beneficiaries.  Volunteer opportunities for students would include: patient recruitment, project marketing and possible training to be community health workers.