Community Corner
Kendall Cares Offers One-Day Free Clinic
Organizers still need volunteers for May 21 clinic in Plano.
Four years ago a free clinic at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lisle inspired Brenda and Larry Ulrich.
The Yorkville couple volunteered that year as advocates to help each client go through the various screenings and services at the free clinic in Lisle.
“The advocate ensures that the guests’ needs are met,” Brenda Ulrich explained. “Basically, the advocate becomes the guest’s friend for the day.”
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They were gratified not only to see the clients’ needs met, but the appreciation expressed.
“A mom was there doing the best she could for her children,” Brenda Ulrich recalled. “She was able to get clothing for them, haircuts and hot meals. And she was so appreciative. It just touched us so much.”
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The experience moved them to go to their pastors with a mission: “We need to do this in Kendall County!”
By enlisting the help of people from local churches, small businesses, community organizations and government, the Kendall Cares Clinic served 374 people last year. The hope is to reach at least that many on May 21 at Plano High School from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The success of the clinic is laid squarely on the shoulders of its volunteers and the organizations that donate services, Brenda Ulrich said. Last year, the effort enlisted help from more than 400 volunteers, 16 churches, the Fox Valley Visiting Nurses Association and Aunt Martha’s Youth Service Center and Health Center.
Christina Messersmith of Yorkville was one of them.
“The biggest part for me is that this involves so many parts of the community, not just churches,” she said. “There are small businesses, medical professionals and others who have come together to help.”
Messersmith, who is a registered nurse in a hospital wound care department, was intrigued by the idea: a one-day clinic that would assess and treat the needs of anyone that came for help.
The concept was much more than that, Messersmith discovered. The clinic offers assistance for medical and dental needs, but also strives to meet other needs, such as clothing, hot meals and social services. With no residency limitations or insurance requirements, anyone who comes for services will be welcomed, Ulrich said.
The goal is to serve as many people as need services, Messersmith said. With the help of a grant, the clinic is able to do more than identify a client’s needs. This allows follow-up care through appropriate professionals who will make sure a child’s ear infection has cleared up, an adult’s hypertension is controlled and that a tooth that needs a filling or to be extracted is addressed, Ulrich said.
Volunteers and donated items are still needed for this year’s clinic. The website offers a list of “job descriptions” and items needed, as well as contact information.