Stories of Hope

SERVING NEIGHBORS IN NEED IN WESTERN KENTUCKY

SOS launched an innovative pilot program in Owensboro last month that will help partners there provide a safety net for individuals in crisis due to unmet medical needs.

Aiding individuals in crisis through our Local Health Plan is one of the most rapidly-growing areas of the SOS mission. This work has spiked almost 400% in the last two years– driven by increasing insurance denials and gaps in coverage that often leave people recovering from injury or illness or living with chronic medical conditions with virtually nowhere to turn. SOS has pivoted to respond to these needs in our own city and county by working with a network of case managers to serve patients who are slipping through the system. With the Kentucky Hospital Association warning of further cuts, a generous grant from the Owensboro Health Regional Hospital through the Owensboro Health Community Health Grant Program provided funding to serve their region. Part of the funds were used to launch an innovative pilot program that established a medical supply inventory bank at the Audubon Community Cares Clinic to support those in need in the Owensboro community. 

The first delivery of supplies went out earlier this month with SOS delivering over $25,000 in medical and mobility equipment– including walkers, wheelchairs, incontinence supplies and wound care. “This first-of-its-kind bank is an extension of our rapidly-growing local work with individuals and it will allow partners in Owensboro to quickly serve individuals with insufficient insurance or financial means to cover their medical supply and equipment needs,” says SOS President & CEO Denise Sears. Our Local Program Manager, Brian Jointer adds, “This pilot that we are doing with the Audubon Clinic is huge, because people from the Owensboro area have been running to case managers and they haven’t had any options until now.” The pilot can hopefully become a model for future inventory banks that will allow SOS to expand the safety net we provide for our most vulnerable neighbors.

IMPROVING THE LIVES OF OUR FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS ACROSS THE RIVER

The SOS family includes a new partner across the river– the Jeffersonville Animal Shelter-- which serves all of Clark County by providing a temporary home to thousands of animals in need every year.

Our animal welfare work is a wonderful piece of our SOS mission that not only elevates care to deserving animals but also finds a purpose for some medical supplies that can’t be used by our local or international health program. By providing first aid and medical supplies to local shelters, SOS helps improve the level of medical and routine care they can provide to animals who are in desperate need of TLC. “Connecting with SOS has been huge for us,” says Elizabeth Gonzalez, operations coordinator at the shelter. “We have a free neutering program for cats and strays and the supplies are expensive; now we can run that program at a much lower cost. The money we save will allow us to spend money on other areas of need which will translate into better care for all of the animals we serve until we find their forever homes.”

CHEERS FOR OUR VOLUNTEERS!

Over the past few weeks, we welcomed volunteers from YPAL (Young Professional Association of Louisville) and ATA College. Thank you to all who sorted the supplies that keep our mission moving!

If you're looking for a group outing that builds camaraderie and contributes to the greater good, SOS is a welcoming, collaborative environment where over 2,000 volunteers a year spread health and hope by carefully sorting medical supplies that will go to those in need.

Volunteer shifts can be scheduled Monday through Thursday, 9-11:30 am or 1-3:30 pm or on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from 9-12:00 at SOShealthandhope.org/volunteer or by emailing Sarah.Mayer@soshealthandhope.org.

We would love to have you!