By
Laurie C.
An Air Force veteran, Angel Nuñez has been passionate about service all his life. He has always made time to give back to his country and causes he feels are important or his community. “Volunteering gives me a sense of satisfaction,” says Nuñez. “It gives you a natural lift.” When he heard that his current employer, CommuniCare Health Centers a non-profit organization was starting a volunteer program, he was eager to sign up and excited about the impact it could have on his community.
CommuniCare Health Centers is a federally-qualified health center (FQHC) that serves San Antonio and nearby Hays County. As an FQHC, it provides primary healthcare services, including medical, dental and behavioral health, and focuses on the medically underserved and low-income populations.
The 37-year-old non-profit organization created its volunteer program back in February to expand its outreach efforts and increase health education throughout the communities it serves. Since then, more than one-third of CommuniCare’s 270 employees have pledged to volunteer. Many are starting to realize what an impact volunteering can have on their community.
Recently, CommuniCare expanded its volunteer program and has staffed some events with help from corporate sponsor, Skanska. “Our staff volunteers really enjoy giving back to the community and seeing the impact their efforts are having to help others”, says Skanska Vice President, Matt Daniel. “ It’s also beneficial from a team building perspective and that translates well back to our work environment,” says Daniel.
Earlier this year, the Texas Department of State Health Services made several changes to school immunization requirements. CommuniCare saw the great need of its community and, with the help of the volunteer program, sponsored CommuniCaring for Kids events which are school immunization health fairs to help hundreds of families get their children immunized in time for the start of school.
The CommuniCaring for Kids events at each of its three locations will provide free immunizations to hundreds of needy San Antonio and Hays County families. Over 100 staff and corporate partner volunteers will help run the events, working in hospitality roles, staffing games, handing out prizes and providing free health education information. Two events have already taken place, and the third will take place on Saturday, August 15th when the health center expects to immunize as many as 500 children.
Nuñez sees the effect that the volunteer program has had on the community and expects it to only get bigger. He says he’s seen an increase in the patients’ interest in health information that equips them better to manage their own health and that the word is spreading about the availability of CommuniCare’s services. As the organization grows, he predicts that so too will the volunteer program, and even more volunteers will want to participate and give back. He adds, “I know that volunteering makes our community a better place to live and extends a helping hand to those in need”.
For more informatin about CommuniCaring for Kids events, please visit: www.communicaresa.org
For information about other National Health Center Events happening in your area, please visit: www.healthcenterweek.org
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Posted on
8/13/2009 6:12:28 PM
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Right To Play sponsored an exchange program between athletes in Jordan and the United States. The program recognizes the universal appeal of sport as an ideal vehicle to inform, educate and empower entire communities.
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Posted on
8/12/2009 2:55:54 PM
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Health Corps strives to help stem the crisis of child obesity through school-based health education and mentoring, as well as community events and outreach to underserved populations.
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Posted on
8/11/2009 5:10:31 PM
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These citizens will be especially active during National Health Center Week, August 9th - 16th, 2009. Visit NACHC’s site www.healthcenterweek.com to find out about Health Center Week events near you.
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Posted on
8/10/2009 5:54:23 PM
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A Community Health Corps member shares their story of service.
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Posted on
8/7/2009 4:40:38 PM
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One volunteer shares the story of how she benefitted personally through service to her community.
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Posted on
8/6/2009 5:01:37 PM
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Believe me, volunteering does wonders for a wounded soul because I received far more than I gave.
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Posted on
8/5/2009 4:16:18 PM
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The Breakthrough Leaders Program's main focus is leadership and one way we did that was by volunteering at a near by care center.
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Posted on
8/4/2009 4:31:10 PM
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I get an overwhelming sense of satisfaction to be able to give something back to the hospital whose dedicated employees worked so hard to give my husband his life back. They gave me my life back too.
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Posted on
8/3/2009 7:30:53 PM
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By helping to care for others and feeding others, the love and compassion of the souls shines brightly. There is nothing more important in life than love for others.
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Posted on
7/31/2009 6:49:51 PM
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A little help to get back on their feet.
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Posted on
7/30/2009 4:56:46 PM
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The Sons of Norway answer the President's call to service.
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Posted on
7/29/2009 2:33:11 PM
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One woman's personal satisfaction in service.
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Posted on
7/28/2009 4:25:28 PM
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When Darius decided to boldly take action, he was able to make an impact in his life and the lives of countless others.
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Posted on
7/27/2009 5:14:37 PM
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Over a six-week session 16 kids called the "Skilleteers" planned, filmed, and starred in a children's cooking show that now airs on CAT TV in Columbia, Missouri.
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Posted on
7/24/2009 9:11:59 AM
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On June 23rd, Nothing But Nets engaged youth in a global campaign to fight one of the biggest killers in Africa, malaria.
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Posted on
7/23/2009 10:29:30 AM
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“Will you marry me?” were the last words I expected to hear on my first day of volunteering with Kids Enjoy Exercise Now (KEEN).
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Posted on
7/22/2009 8:25:12 AM
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A group of 60 teens from 25 schools in Kentucky raises over $30,000 and does more than 3,000 hours of service each year.
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Posted on
7/21/2009 8:26:54 AM
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A longtime blood donor comes to intimately understand the power of her service.
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Posted on
7/20/2009 8:26:44 AM
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A community comes together to make the quality of living better for one little girl and, in turn, everyone benefits.
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Posted on
7/17/2009 2:26:26 PM
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One recent graduate finds a renewed sense of purpose in her volunteer efforts.
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Posted on
7/16/2009 6:39:33 PM
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Nearly 50% of residents of Lansing Michigan are living at or near poverty levels. In an effort to help residents stretch their financial resources and improve their access to nutritious, locally grown foods, the Old Town Commercial Association is sponsoring the first ever Community Garden project.
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Posted on
7/15/2009 5:57:21 PM
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A true testament to how a commitment to serve benefits the community as well as the individual.
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Posted on
7/14/2009 9:49:47 AM
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