For people struggling to make ends meet, fresh fruits and vegetables are simply out of reach. Sparse food dollars must be spent – and stretched – on staples, such as milk, bread, beans, soup and pasta. Thanks to a labor of love planted in Providence Milwaukie Hospital's community garden, some low-income Clackamas County residents are receiving a bounty of goodness.
For some of the most vulnerable in our community, getting even routine dental care is beyond their means. They end up in the emergency room in severe pain and needing specialized care. But thanks to the roving Medical Teams International Dental Van, a retrofitted mobile home supported financially by Providence and other organizations, Oregonians of all ages are getting free, much-needed care for their teeth.
Losing the ability or willingness to drive means a significant loss of independence for senior citizens. It requires depending on neighbors or friends to do the driving, and it complicates getting to and from doctor appointments and errands. As a result, many seniors end up staying home alone more … feeling cut off and isolated. Providence Seaside has found the key to helping area seniors get around town, stay connected with their community, and feel happier and healthier.
At first glance, the bustling and tight-knit little neighborhood of Multnomah Village in southwest Portland seems healthy and well cared for. The houses and yards aren't palatial, but they're nice and reflect a middle- to upper-middle class lifestyle. Peek below the surface, though, and there are pockets of working-class poor who struggle to pay for essentials, including basic health care. That's where Providence and the Southwest Community Health Center enter the scene.