bridges
Bringing Hope To The
Community By Makala Coleman, FLAME Contributor
NEVER HAS A BACK DOOR BEEN SO POPULAR as that of the Cleburne Seventh-day Adventist Church. It’s all because of the Hope Clinic, a non-profit organization run from the old fellowship hall of the Cleburne Church. Each weekday it opens its doors to the uninsured, providing for their medical needs. “Our purpose is to follow the example of Christ and do good,” said Tony Torres, founder of the clinic and retired Cleburne Church pastor. “We don’t expect anything in return. We just want to help the community.” Texas has the highest rate of uninsured people in the United States. According to The New York Times, 25% of Texans were uninsured in 2012*. Since the Hope Clinic got its start in 2006, it has helped thousands of uninsured Johnson County residents with nowhere else to go. “These people have no way to take care of themselves,” said Torres. “We wanted to fill that need, to fill a gap.” “It’s a blessing to see the impact this clinic makes on the lives of people,” said Diane Wescott, clinic director. “We have more patients than we can see, but we do what we can.” The Hope Clinic is open half-days on Monday through Friday, depending on when volunteers are available. For five dollars a visit, the clinic offers any medical or dental service, including medication and x-rays. “When I started getting high blood pressure, I knew I couldn’t afford a doctor,” said one Hope Clinic patient. “I remember waiting in line at the Hope Clinic, thinking they wouldn’t be able to help me. They not only gave me medication, but they also referred me to another doctor that could help me, free of charge.” Volunteers at the clinic include doctors, nurses, students and community members. Not all are Seventh-day Adventists, but all have a heart for service. Once a year, Baylor University sends students to do part of their internship at the clinic. Nursing students of Southwestern Adventist University also visit the clinic during their studies. "In school we often learn a lot of stuff before we know why it's important,” said Robert Drapiza, dental hygiene student and past volunteer. “But my experience at the Hope Clinic showed me the need before I knew how to help. This motivated me to learn as much as I could while I was there, and gave me a purpose for pursuing higher
16 | FLAME Fall Winter 2013
education." The Hope clinic is an independent non-profit who does not depend legally on our organization. However, the Cleburne Church does its best to reach those in spiritual need who visit the clinic. “I go once a week to talk and pray with people who are waiting,” said Harley Charles, Cleburne Church pastor. “I let them know, ‘hey there’s a church here. If you need prayer, or help with anything, we’re available.’” “We did not plan for the clinic to be this successful,” said Torres. “It just happened. The community supported the clinic and our image in the community has changed. Now the church and the clinic are seen as a positive and open place in the community.”
* New York Times Opinion Pages, Uninsured in Texas and Florida. September 4, 2013