Honoring Volunteers –

Kevin’s Community Center

Gearing Up For Anniversary Celebration

By John Voket

Invitations are going out across the area calling for all volunteers who have helped Newtown’s only no-cost medical clinic to gather for a celebration. Dr Z. Michael Taweh is using the first anniversary of Kevin’s Community Center as an opportunity to shine a spotlight on more than 125 clinical, medical, and nonclinical volunteers who have contributed to the program’s success.

Dr Taweh, who helped establish the local medical clinic and center in the name of his late son, is organizing the celebration on August 14 from 1 to 3:30 pm, with a short speaking program scheduled at 1:30 pm. During that program, each volunteer will be awarded a certificate in appreciation of his or her service.

“We could not accomplish everything we do here without our many volunteers,” Dr Taweh said during a quick lunch break Wednesday afternoon at the clinic. “We have more than 75 clinical and nonclinical volunteers who schedule themselves months in advance. And our network of 54 professional providers help us deal with particular concerns normally treated by specialists.”

In addition, his professional contacts at Danbury Hospital provide lab services, while associates at Housatonic Radiology in Danbury provide x-rays, ultrasound, and other diagnostic imaging.

Clinic volunteer coordinator Carol Amaral, RN, said the clinical volunteers like nurses and medical technicians deal directly with patients, while nonclinical volunteers pitch in performing a variety of duties from administrative chores to patient screening to stuffing envelopes.

Volunteer Fiona Mullins said the center can never have enough volunteer support.

“Right now we’re looking for volunteers to help with our capital campaign to help raise funds for our own community center building,” Ms Mullins said. She said her group is in the final stages of planning the center’s first annual fundraising black tie gala, which is scheduled for October 29.

Since its inception, Dr Taweh said Kevin’s Community Center has drawn a significant number of patients.

“We’re only here a few hours, but we have been seeing an average of eight to 14 patients each week,” Dr Taweh said. “And almost half of the patients we see every week are first-time visitors.”

Even though the center has only been open for 11 months, Dr Taweh is already looking to the future. In the coming weeks, he is hoping to finalize plans to partner with the St Rose Chapter of the Knights of Columbus, to provide patient transportation to and from the facility. In the coming year he also hopes to greatly increase the amount of community medical outreach opportunities, doing talks for service groups and community screenings, as well as possibly expanding the clinic’s hours to an additional day each week.

Although Dr Taweh specializes in internal and geriatric medicine, he appears to have a natural affinity for public health. He said he was pleased to have Town Social Service Director Ann Piccini working at the clinic on Wednesdays, because she is able to identify residents who may qualify for other benefits besides health care.

“We’re really reaching out to anyone who has been downsized out of a job, and out of insurance coverage, or those who just can’t afford to keep carrying interim coverage,” Dr Taweh said.

“The volunteer recognition event will be a great way for anyone in town to come out and visit with all our great people, and learn more about what we’re trying to do here in Newtown,” he said.

The August 14 event is open to the public, and will feature a free buffet and live musical entertainment by the Scottles.

In the invitation letter, Dr Taweh expresses his appreciation for his many volunteer supporters and contributors.

“Our volunteers have made Kevin’s successful through community spirit, and teamwork,” he writes. “Volunteering brings people together and plays a key role in connecting people to one another, creating healthier families and a healthier Newtown community.”

According to Ms Piccini, the clinic provides a necessary and vital service to the growing number of town residents who are uninsured or underinsured.

“Thanks to the outpouring of support in the form of both donations and donated time, Kevin’s Community Center is able to serve people in town who need medical attention and have no other means of accessing it,” Ms Piccini said.