Penn Medicine CAREs helps Expand its Reach
Caregivers in the Community, an outreach program at the Beulah Baptist Church in West Philadelphia, helps members of its congregation -- as well as neighborhood residents -- on many levels. Sometimes it’s as simple as helping with day-to-day errands. Other times, it’s more involved. For example, when a fire at 45th and Walnut Streets destroyed several apartment buildings and displaced many people, Caregivers in the Community adopted five families and brought them clothing and provided food vouchers for three months. They’ve fixed donated wheel chairs and brought them to those who have trouble walking, and even managed to provide a TTY system for a person with ALS who could no longer communicate her needs.
Helping to keep people healthy is another component of this community group. They hold health fairs with screenings and educate people as to what their results mean. “It’s wonderful when we can provide information to someone who doesn’t understand what their illness means.”
As DuPree noted, the group tries to do a lot but theirs is a shoe-string budget, with funding sometimes coming out of the Caregivers’ own pockets. Now, a Penn Medicine CAREs Foundation grant will help them reach a little further. The grant will go towards purchasing blood pressure cuffs and stethoscopes for their health fairs, a defibrillator for the church and our community, and wheelchairs. “Everyone is so very appreciative.”
Do you volunteer in community outreach events? If so, be sure to report your efforts on Penn Medicine CAREs (Community Activity Reporting E-niative). It’s easy. Simply go in the Intranet page and click on ‘CAREs – Community Outreach’ on the left side. If you have any questions, contact Government Affairs and Community Outreach at 215-662-7030 or e-mail CAREs@uphs.upenn.edu.
Photo (above): Phyllis DuPree (center) of Penn Home Care received a $1,500 Penn Medicine CAREs Foundation grant for the Caregivers in the Community outreach program of the Beulah Baptist Church. Shown with her are members of church leadership (l. to r.) Cheryl Simmons, Sherman Baker, Judith Weaver, and Leon Smith.
