4 the Greater Good: Shepherd's Hope
By: Wendy Suares, KARK 4 News
Updated: August 1, 2012
For many Arkansans, a trip to the doctor seems out of reach. But a free clinic serving residents in Little Rock's Midtown neighborhood is changing that through volunteerism.
All of the volunteers- doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, even translators, take a night out of their week to help Little Rock residents who need medical care but don't have insurance.
"I've enjoyed it," said patient Ruth Jefferson. "The dentists here are very nice. When I went to get my glasses the people over there were real nice to me."
"We serve the working poor," said Pastor Russ Breshears. "The people that work hard everyday as a bus boy, waitress, in construction, and they do not have insurance."
It's called Shepherd's Hope, a ministry of Oak Forest United Methodist Church. But the volunteers come from churches of all kinds, finding joy in bringing relief to those in pain.
Volunteer Dentist Dr. Richard Cain said, "For weeks, months, sometimes even years, they've lived with dental pain and just felt helpless to do anything about it."
The patients get treatment, medication, and the chance to pray with others.
"Sometimes they just need someone to talk to so that they know they're cared about again," said volunteer Trish Cain.
Shepherd's Hope needs more nurses and doctors, including specialists, to volunteer their time. It could be one night a month or just four times a year. For more information on how to get involved, visit http://shepherdshopelr.org/about.html
If you have a story you'd like to see covered in our "4 the Greater Good" segment, email wsuares@kark.com.
All of the volunteers- doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, even translators, take a night out of their week to help Little Rock residents who need medical care but don't have insurance.
"I've enjoyed it," said patient Ruth Jefferson. "The dentists here are very nice. When I went to get my glasses the people over there were real nice to me."
"We serve the working poor," said Pastor Russ Breshears. "The people that work hard everyday as a bus boy, waitress, in construction, and they do not have insurance."
It's called Shepherd's Hope, a ministry of Oak Forest United Methodist Church. But the volunteers come from churches of all kinds, finding joy in bringing relief to those in pain.
Volunteer Dentist Dr. Richard Cain said, "For weeks, months, sometimes even years, they've lived with dental pain and just felt helpless to do anything about it."
The patients get treatment, medication, and the chance to pray with others.
"Sometimes they just need someone to talk to so that they know they're cared about again," said volunteer Trish Cain.
Shepherd's Hope needs more nurses and doctors, including specialists, to volunteer their time. It could be one night a month or just four times a year. For more information on how to get involved, visit http://shepherdshopelr.org/about.html
If you have a story you'd like to see covered in our "4 the Greater Good" segment, email wsuares@kark.com.
