For many Horizon patients, the clinics are more than a place to come when they are sick or injured.
In several Horizon Health locations, community health workers provide critical care and services to patients who recently moved to the United States from another country or are struggling to find resources such as food, hygiene supplies and sometimes even clothing that can have a critical impact on their health and well-being.
Belinda and her family moved to Huron from San Marcos, Guatemala. Her baby son needed milk and identification documents. She doesn’t speak English so needed assistance with translating complicated paperwork and bureaucratic processes.
Fortunately, Horizon Health Huron is one of the clinics with a community health worker. Belinda was referred to Samara Contreras who was able to go off-site with Belinda and help her secure a social security card and birth certificate for her child. She was also able to help her obtain formula and other supplies like diapers, wipes and baby clothes.
Belinda was initially referred to Horizon by a friend and said she liked working with Samara. The two speak a slightly different dialect of Spanish so that added an element of difficulty to translation that Samara was able to overcome with her trademark wit and patience.
“The pantry has impacted a lot of patients referred to the patient support services,” Samara said. “As a CHW if I see a barrier I offer them items from the Donation Pantry. I just reassure them that it’s there to help.”
Many of her patients need support from the pantry, which is one of two in the Horizon Health network. Patients who can’t work or lack funds to provide for all their needs can take advantage of what the pantry has to offer.
Samara has plans to grow the pantry and the products it provides. It has been in operation for a little over one year. The main products available are personal hygiene products, clothing and supplies for babies.
“Hopefully in the future it will be a food pantry too,” she said.
Anyone in the community can donate to the Patient Support Pantries in Yankton or Huron. Horizon posts a monthly wish list of supplies on its Facebook pages for each location. Physical products or cash donations are accepted.