By Louis Medina
BHC Grant Writer

The first grant the Bakersfield Homeless Center received in the New Year will help meet the healthcare needs of the homeless clients we serve.

On January 5, a letter arrived from Catholic Healthcare West’s Community Grants Program with the good news that we had been awarded $23,424 to support our on-site Medical/Dental Program, the David L. Harmon Health Center.

This generous gift will help to pay for prescription and over-the-counter medications, medical supplies and equipment, and contractual dental work, including dentures, for our uninsured or underinsured homeless families throughout the year.

 Homeless people often put healthcare low on a priority list headed by more immediate daily survival needs such as food, clothing and shelter. They can allow untreated ailments in themselves and their children—anything from poor oral health to skin infections to complications from diabetes— escalate into life-threatening conditions requiring surgery or hospitalization.

 With the support of Catholic Healthcare West, our dedicated Medical/Dental Program staff and volunteer healthcare experts from the community will be able to go on practicing preventive healthcare for the clients we serve, thereby ensuring their well-being.