Introduction
A community is made up of people living together within a certain geographical boundary. Community health is a field that is concerned with a medical approach aimed at improving the health of the whole community (Logan, 2005). This essay takes a look at two community agencies that operate in the United States.
Snap Mobile Clinic
Snap mobile clinic is a health care institution that offers free spaying and neutering for animals. Its mission is to deliver high-quality spay and neuter services for animals in low-income neighborhoods. Such low-income neighborhoods have problems with cost and transportation, which hinder them from obtaining animal health care (Snap mobile clinics, 2004). In terms of accessibility and acceptability, Snap mobile clinic offers visits to different sites on a rotation basis. However, it only serves people from Houston since it is a Houston-based project.
Animals brought to Snap mobile clinics receive good quality veterinary services which are free of charge or offered at a reduced cost. Free services are available to animals from income-challenged families who depend on public assistance. However, the public can also benefit from the services provided at a low cost. According to Snap mobile clinics (2004), to be able to receive free services, one must have an Identification to show he or she is a resident. Residents who are part of the Children’s health insurance plan, food stamps, and free lunch program in public schools are among those who benefit from the free services. Snap mobile clinic uses modern equipment in providing its services. It has qualified veterinary doctors who perform all the surgeries. Trained veterinary technicians attend to the animals before and after surgery. Clients are advised to arrive at the site before six o’clock in the morning to participate in the random lottery which determines their place in line. Each household is permitted to bring only one animal per day. Unvaccinated animals are given a free anti-rabies shot during surgery. Animals are picked from the clinic at the end of the day after recovery from anesthesia.
Ripley House Neighborhood Centre
This is a neighborhood center that was founded by Sybil Campbell and Alice Gram Baker in Houston in 1907. Its purpose was to offer education, work, as well as social help to all in the area. It has community centers spread out in six neighborhoods in Houston catering to the various needs of the residents. Ripley House, which is a branch of the neighborhood centers, was founded in 1940, and since then has created a good atmosphere for residents to have meetings, develop new skills and take part in some community services (Ripley House Neighborhood Center, 2010).
Services provided at Ripley house include opportunities to become a part of the community due to getting a proper education, enriching the whole family, enhancing family health and wellness, and ensuring leadership, community engagement, economic development, legal immigration as well as citizenship admission. There are also programs for the youth which include after-school activities like tutoring, skills development, and summer day camps. A neighborhood center is divided into three distinct divisions.
Community-Based Initiatives
This division has initiatives that provide neighborhood development through a network of neighborhood support centers (Neighborhood Centers Inc. 2010). Residents are involved in making their communities stronger and safer using their skills, knowledge, and resources.
Education Choices
It is the second division that provides education to needy children from infancy to pre-school as well as training for early childhood teachers and administrators (Neighborhood Centers Inc. 2010).
Public Sector Solutions
This third division deals with sharing of knowledge and services with other non-profit organizations to improve service to low-income families. It also provides services to older people, making them less dependent on sponsorship and sustaining caregivers.
References
Logan, L. (2005) The Practice of Certified community health CNSs: Clinical nurse specialist. The journal for advanced Nursing Practice.19 (1), 43-48.
Neighborhood Centers Inc. (2010). What We Do. Web.
Ripley House community Center: Neighborhood centers Inc. 2010. Web.
Snap mobile clinics.2004. Web.