Access Community Health Center celebrates National Community Health Center Week
CommunityConnections through Art
CommunityConnections through Art
By Jonathan Gramling
When one thinks of going to the dentists, probably the sound of the
dentist’s drill is the first sensation remembered. Access Community Health
Center took the occasion of National Community Health Center Week to
change the image for many east side children from the Salvation Army,
Goodman and East Madison community centers to a pleasant one
involving children’s art and prizes.
On August 12, Access’s William T. Evjue Clinic became an art gallery
filled with the framed work of the children created to reflect health themes.
“We really wanted the kids to focus on health,” said Paul Harrison. “Some
kids drew about healthy eating. Some drew messages about not smoking.
Some drew about exercising. Interestingly enough some talked about the
importance of the environment, not polluting and having clean air to
breathe. I think every kid in every community center took a really different
take on it. Beyond the kids actually doing the drawing, it has other benefits.
It is the thousands of people who come through our door every week and
get to see them and these messages being played out. It’s us going back to
the center and talking about tonight. It’s a pretty broad impact for what is
really a pretty simple idea.”
The occasion was a chance for Access to make a connection with the
centers around health issues. And it was also a chance for the children to
connect with the Access clinic in a positive, non-painful way. “I think
bringing kids in helps to reduce some of the barriers,” said Nancy
Rodriguez, Access’ community outreach specialist. “Actually we’re
currently working with East Madison to set up a tour of the dental clinic to
sort of take away that anxiety that some kids feel. A lot of it is just showing
them what a clinic is, showing them all of the different equipment a dental
office has and trying to take that anxiety away from kids, especially when it
comes to dental care.”
The center plans to exhibit new drawings of elementary school
students and community center members every three months. Trips to the
dentist can be painful; this trip was a pleasure to behold.
When one thinks of going to the dentists, probably the sound of the
dentist’s drill is the first sensation remembered. Access Community Health
Center took the occasion of National Community Health Center Week to
change the image for many east side children from the Salvation Army,
Goodman and East Madison community centers to a pleasant one
involving children’s art and prizes.
On August 12, Access’s William T. Evjue Clinic became an art gallery
filled with the framed work of the children created to reflect health themes.
“We really wanted the kids to focus on health,” said Paul Harrison. “Some
kids drew about healthy eating. Some drew messages about not smoking.
Some drew about exercising. Interestingly enough some talked about the
importance of the environment, not polluting and having clean air to
breathe. I think every kid in every community center took a really different
take on it. Beyond the kids actually doing the drawing, it has other benefits.
It is the thousands of people who come through our door every week and
get to see them and these messages being played out. It’s us going back to
the center and talking about tonight. It’s a pretty broad impact for what is
really a pretty simple idea.”
The occasion was a chance for Access to make a connection with the
centers around health issues. And it was also a chance for the children to
connect with the Access clinic in a positive, non-painful way. “I think
bringing kids in helps to reduce some of the barriers,” said Nancy
Rodriguez, Access’ community outreach specialist. “Actually we’re
currently working with East Madison to set up a tour of the dental clinic to
sort of take away that anxiety that some kids feel. A lot of it is just showing
them what a clinic is, showing them all of the different equipment a dental
office has and trying to take that anxiety away from kids, especially when it
comes to dental care.”
The center plans to exhibit new drawings of elementary school
students and community center members every three months. Trips to the
dentist can be painful; this trip was a pleasure to behold.
| Tammy Quall, Development and Community Relations Officer(l-r); Julia O'Donnel, Development and Communications Associate; Dr. Ken Loving, Interim CEO; Paul Harrison, Development and Communications Director; Judy Keel, Grants Specialist; Jonathon Streeter, Communication Specialist; Nancy Rodriguez, Community Outreach Specialist |
