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NOVEMBER 2023| VOL. 28 NO. 1
Restoring Hope...Transforming Lives ~ Since 1995
ACTS OF SERVICE... W
e’ve got a new look! The Dental and Vision services have their own unique entrance into their clinics. Patients enter through a wrought iron gate and walk down a narrow pathway to the door, where they are buzzed into the reception room. This past summer, a very special group of young people blessed the Mission by making the entrance inviting and practical for disabled patients… here is a snapshot of the story.
New Dental & Vision entrance.
Quinlan Skip Shelley Troop, friends, family, and staff.
Quinlan & Renee (mom).
A staff member was contacted by the mom of a Boy Scout, Quinlan, who needed to complete a project to receive his Eagle Scout badge. A meeting was set up with the Dental Clinic Manager, Shelley Case, to go over some ideas for a project at the Mission. When Quinlan realized how much this project would impact many lives, he got to work planning. With the help of his mom, they drafted a baseline of the things they wanted to do. Shelley approved the proposal phase of the project, and the next step was fundraising. “I did some fundraising, and it helped significantly that I was able to purchase supplies, because I have a good job as a courtesy clerk at a local grocery store,” explained Quinlan. After raising funds and inviting his troop and school friends to help, they all came together on one of the hottest days of summer, but the young folks remained undaunted – they had a task before them. Rockery, lattice, planter boxes, and a bench for Dial-A-Lift patients to wait for their ride all came together. There were challenges for Quinlan, “I know logistics isn’t my strength, and procrastination can get the best of me, but I learned a lesson.” A lesson his mother heartily agrees with. Thank you to Troop 48, the members, troop leaders, Quinlan, and his family for blessing those seeking dental and vision care at the Mission.
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n his road to becoming a dentist, Jariel Rolon-Valdes begins his junior year studying Biomedical Sciences at the UW Tacoma Campus after a summer to remember working as a volunteer intern in the Mission’s No Fee Dental Clinic. “My experience made me very happy and solidified my desire to become a dentist. I know what’s waiting for me, I’m thrilled to be able to do this.” This past summer Dr. Deviny met Jariel, a young man from a military family. Dentistry, for him, is personal, and he has reasons that he wants to give back to the profession. With Dr. Deviny’s help, Jariel visited two private practices in the Olympia area: the Smile Mobile which provides care to underserved communities, and shadowed the volunteer dentists at the Olympia Union Gospel Mission No-Fee Dental Clinic. Dr. Deviny is connected to the University of Washington Dental School and its mentorship program through the WA State Dental Association. The Mission’s Dental Clinic has hosted four pre-dental students with Dr. Deviny’s help. Clinic Manager Shelley Case screens students to ensure their summer schedule lines up with Clinic appointment times. The summer is especially important when students are off and available to observe and students who complete safety courses may even do simple procedures, including passing instruments, suctioning, and washing teeth. Jariel shared, “I was able to participate in similar tasks.” Those who have been able to take advantage of visiting the Clinic see first-hand the need for low-income oral health care. “This experience helped me realize that my dream of becoming a dentist is possible and fueled my passion to help people in the community have access to dental care”. Truly a summer to remember.
OLYMPIA UNION GOSPEL MISSION | PO BOX 7668 OLYMPIA WA 98507 | 360.709.9725 | OUGM.ORG | FACEBOOK