From Learning to Action

By Camille Vasconcellos, Director of Integrated Care

In a world where it can feel easy to focus on disheartening news pouring in on all social media outlets, our ADROP team has been seeing the outpouring of support from local volunteers ready to get involved. 

Within the last couple months, students from Villanova and Saint Joseph’s University have reached out to collaborate – from cleaning our clinic space to supporting the preparation of our legal clinic, students made a tangible difference in helping the long-term vision of ADROP come to life. 

Our new education initiatives have also been expanding to engage our younger community members. Over the last 6 months, our ADROP team hosted youth workshops on the

intersection of health and immigration. Each activity incorporated team building, problem-solving, and reflection, which led to a deeper understanding of how health care impacts every aspect of our lives extending far beyond the doctor’s office. Campers split into three groups, tasked with a different goal to help a fictional client successfully make it to a doctor’s appointment. This exercise demonstrated the many moving pieces involved in accessing health care and the challenges that can arise when folks have limited resources.

The estimated 250 youth who participated were also invited to reflect on what it means to be a welcoming community member. Here are some ideas shared from those youth workshops:

"Thank you for being here. The world could use more welcome."

Top left: "Love over Hate," Top right: "Welcome cultures with open arms," Bottom left: "One nation," Bottom right: "Treat others with respect and loyalty"

Additionally, campers led the initiative to donate items like soap, shampoo/conditioner, dental hygiene items, and personal care necessities. In total, ADROP received approximately 1100 hygiene items to distribute to our patients, which estimated $3220 in value.

While it may seem small, these basic hygiene products we offer continue to offset the cost of everyday items for community members while also supporting their health, dignity, and well-being. It has led to a permanent station, “The Stewardship Shop,” for folks to grab what they need as they visit ADROP’s Unity Clinic.

Youth are the cornerstone for the future, and creating space to allow them to explore what it means to be an engaged community member is something we’re so proud to be a part of.

To all our partners, youth and beyond, thank you. We are incredibly grateful for your continued engagement and support. If you or someone you know is interested in having the ADROP team host a workshop in your community or school, we’d love to connect. Please reach out to our Director of Integrated Care, Camille Vasconcellos, at Camille.Vasco@augustinian.org

If you are interested in getting involved at ADROP’s Unity Clinic, please reach out to our Clinic Manager, Patty at phewson@augustinian.org   

If you are an organization looking to refer someone or partner, please reach out to Camille at Camille.vasco@augustinian.org 

Click here to see other ways you can support our work today!

By Camille Vasconcellos, Director of Integrated Care, A.D.R.O.P.