Since 2009, People’s has benefited from a wonderful group of volunteers who work at the clinic twice a month. About 15 helpers from the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin (FUUCA), do everything from organizing paper handouts, to stuffing condoms for People’s sexual health packages.
“We’re here because we believe healthcare is a right, not a privilege,” said Nancy Stout, the group’s coordinator since 2011. “We want to do our bit to right the wrongs of social injustice.”
Turns out their “bit” is quite a lot. FUUCA volunteers help People’s staff organize immense piles of informative handouts which are given to patients during their appointments. They collate a variety of patient education materials— including pediatric, prenatal, nutrition and information—arranging about 30 different handouts into distributable packets. These neat bundles make it easy for staff to quickly grab what they need, giving them more time to spend with patients.
“Thanks to the FUUCA volunteers we never run out of health education packets,” said People’s Health Educator Oscar Mata. “It makes my job so much easier to know that everything I need is ready to go in those folders.”
Then there’s the convenient and discreet bags stuffed with 12 condoms: another way the FUUCA group helps the clinic run smoothly.
“When I bring up the topic of safe sex and condoms with our adolescent patients, you can see them get a little uncomfortable” said Mata. “But then I hand them these nice little bags, and it’s not as intimidating to talk about.”
Besides their monthly volunteer work, FUUCA donates about 150 books annually for Reach Out and Read, a program that puts books in the hands of local kids. People’s is also a long-time recipient of FUUCA’s special offering plate, donations based on the congregation’s vote.
People’s Community Clinic is grateful to receive FUUCA’s help throughout the year. They’ve been an irreplaceable People’s partner for a whole decade.
“They’re a godsend,” said Mata. “I don’t know what we’d do without them.”