Inova Loudoun Hospital is launching a new program, Mobile Hope, to support the needs of homeless children in Loudoun County.
As one of the richest counties in the country, it is easy to assume Loudoun does not have homeless youth. Yet recently over 650 young students were identified by Loudoun County Public Schools as homeless or precariously housed. Nearly 40 percent of these young people do not have a guardian or parent in their lives. They sleep in cars, in the woods, in abandoned warehouses or “couch surf” among their friends.
More frightening, there likely are many more homeless children living in Loudoun County – as many as hundreds – who have not yet been identified.
Inova Loudoun Hospital’s Mobile Health Services recently became aware of this harsh reality and is establishing partnerships with the Loudoun County Public Schools, churches, police, government officials, health officials and community leaders to create ways for these children to receive essentials including: food clothing, blankets, school supplies and medical care.
“Inova Loudoun Hospital is committed to successfully partnering with others to meet the basic needs of homeless children in our community. Our hope is that we’ll make a difference in their lives,” said Donna Fortier, community affairs executive & director of Mobile Health Services.
The Inova Mobile Health Unit has been providing health care services in the county for over 10 years, traveling throughout Loudoun providing services to a number of clients from large corporations to those in need. This Mobile Health Unit is one solution to delivering needed items to these children. Inova is especially concerned with providing preventative care to this population, including vaccines, general physicals and other screenings.
Inova assured homeless young people that they do not have to be reluctant to come forward and ask for help, and emphasized that:
To find out how you can help please call 703-858-8935 or email donna.fortier2@inova.org .
Source:
No comments:
Post a Comment