| Web Site | Email Organization | Telephone No.
|
Countries/States Served:
MA
People Utilized or Employed:
Trainable Volunteers, Dental Hygiene, Dietitian, Family Medicine, Nursing, Ophthalmology, Psychology, Public Health, Social Work
Types of Students Allowed:
Medical Students, Dental Students, Nursing Students, Optometry Students |
Program Length:
Long Term (Greater than 1 month)
Language Skills:
Religious Affiliations:
University Affiliations:
Harvard, Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Dental Medicine |
|
Email This Opportunity to a Friend:
|
Reviews of The Family Van volunteer programs:
0 Reviews of . | Write a Review
|
|
Current Volunteer Opportunities (Unpaid Positions)
Direct Service & Program Support needed for
3 to 6 months
Opportunity Description:
Rotation: On the van and in the office
Roles aboard the van: Perform screening, health education, and health counseling and provide referrals
Roles in the office: Carry out program support, including marketing, data entry, assisting with grant writing, writing newsletters, improving our processes
Schedule: One shift per week Monday-Friday. View the schedule(http://www.familyvan.org/services/schedule.html)
Total Number of Volunteers Needed:
14
Find Out More |
Outreach & Education needed for
3 to 6 months
Opportunity Description:
Rotation: none
Establish community partnerships, perform outreach in the community, identify the needs of the community, and advocate for the Family Van.
Schedule: One shift per week Monday through Friday, to be determined based on group availability.
Total Number of Volunteers Needed:
4
Find Out More |
Research and Evaluation needed for
3 to 6 months
Opportunity Description:
Carry out client interviews to understand health disparities in our communities, the role of mobile health care, and ways we can improve our services.
Schedule: One shift per week Monday through Friday, to be determined based on group availability.
Total Number of Volunteers Needed:
4
Find Out More |
Internship (for credit) needed for
3 to 6 months
Opportunity Description:
Carry out a special project to help our communities and our organization. The projects are tailored to the student’s interest. Past examples include introducing depression screening at the Family Van and developing an outreach strategy for the newest Van site in East Boston.
Schedule: Flexible, based on school requirements
Total Number of Volunteers Needed:
1
Find Out More |
Mission Statement: (See Web Site For Updated Information)
The Family Van is a mobile health program designed to increase access to health and improve healthy behaviors by providing free culturally and linguistically appropriate health services to our clients. Our mission is to educate, counsel, and assist community members in strengthening and protecting their bodies, minds, and communities.
We serve communities with disproportionately high rates of preventable diseases and hospitalization, and our convenient curbside care provides a bridge into the health and social services.
Family Van staff include health educators, a registered dietician, and counselors, who, in addition to health screenings, offer oral and written information to encourage clients to improve their health and follow healthy lifestyles. For many who visit the Van, the counseling, education, and basic screenings they receive are their only link to prevention and medical care. Education on risks, warning signs, nutrition, and self-care is vital to our clients, and we are often their sole provider of information. The Family Van offers a nonjudgmental, comfortable environment where all are welcome. Clients receive the support and resources they need to improve their health and well-being in an atmosphere of warmth and caring.
The Van is affiliated with Harvard Medical School and collaborates with a wide network of partners, volunteers, and supporters. Together, we know that providing health care access to those in need results in early intervention, better care, healthier clients, and stronger communities.
A pioneer in the growing trend of mobile health care, the Family Van has been serving Boston residents since 1992. In addition to provision of services, we demonstrate the value of mobile care through research and advocacy. The Family Van staff also provide medical and allied health students with firsthand, practical experience to train the next generation of health care providers.
The Family Van is on the road each week, making stops in seven regular locations. In 2010, we served 2,322 clients and 1,375 new clients. Nearly half were men. In addition:
87% were minorities, and 37% did not speak English as their primary language.
Only 24% worked full time; 31% were unemployed, 22% were retired, 16% worked part-time, and 6% were on disability.
Clients included both uninsured (8%) and insured (66% public, 26% private) individuals.
|
|
