During these cold, dark winter days, your warmth and caring are helping more than 2,500 women in shelters throughout Boston. Thanks to all of our supporters, volunteers and corporate sponsors who helped to make 2010 a turning point for Health Care Without Walls. You give us something to celebrate every day, and now it’s our turn to celebrate you!
We hope you’ll join us on March 4 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., for our 10th anniversary party, “Takin’ it to the Streets.” Hosted at the Museum of Fine Arts, we will honor those who make our work possible—our volunteer physicians and nurses, staff, donors, foundations and corporate sponsors.kindle customer service
Tickets will be available soon, so please save the date and check our website or call our office (781) 239-0290 for details. Our generous corporate sponsors to date are: Bank of America, Rockland Trust, PNC, James W. and Patricia T. Poitras Fund of the Foundation for Metrowest, and Old Mutual.
In 2011, we’ve set our sights on expanding our services. We’ll begin providing services at another family shelter, and increase our education programs for healthcare providers. And thanks to a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield, we’ll continue our Aging in the Shelters Collaborative program for another two years, ensuring that elderly homeless women get the care they need. And finally, we will continue our research into defining Health Care Without Walls as a medical home for vulnerable populations.
Every day, your gifts of time and money are bringing hope and relief to those who need it most. From all of our women, and from my heart, I thank you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Roseanna Means
Founder, Health Care Without Walls
You warmed our hearts!
The holiday season brought out the best in many local organizations and individuals who made an extra effort to help homeless women.
Special thanks to the Women’s Leadership Network at the Sun Life Group (pictured above). This dedicated group of employees collected 3,800 pairs of socks from co-workers.The Knitting Group (coordinated by Donna Kell) at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Wellesley are keeping shelter guests warm this winter with handmade scarves, hats and gloves.
Sondra Szymczak also donated hand-knit outerwear through the Tufts University Alumni Association.
Old Mutual donated a rolling suitcase loaded with soap, toothpaste and other toiletries. A local Brownie troop contributed holiday goodie bags that our patients loved!Peet’s Coffee in Newton Centre and Wellesley chose Health Care Without Walls as the recipient of their Annual Holiday Donation program. Peet’s not only helped spread the word about our work, but they matched every dollar donated by a customer from December 17 – 24.
Thanks to everyone who donated during the past few months, helping to keep our patients warm, dry and healthy. Thanks to
Clinician’s Corner:
Healthy Living Tips For Women in Shelters
Staying active and losing weight is a challenge for almost all of us. But for women who don’t have a home and eat most of their meals in shelters, the obstacles are that much greater.
“Many of our patients are ‘food insecure,’ meaning they often don’t know where their next meal is coming from. So when food is available, there is a tendency to eat bigger portions,” says nursing instructor Elyse Goodman, whose students ran a Health Care Without Walls health and fitness program at the Women’s Lunch Place in Boston.
With a team of her nursing students from the MGH Institute of Health Professions, Elyse helped to devise a series of workshops on topics their patients requested. Fitness, nutrition and coping with stress are popular topics that the students have addressed through a combination of activities and presentations.
Participants increased their activity level by forming a walking group, and through dance classes. Nutrition workshops focused on teaching healthy portion sizes, and how to make the best choices from food available at the shelter.
“Over the course of one semester, we tracked the blood pressure of 49 women. Some had new or uncontrolled hypertension, and we were able to refer them for evaluation and follow up,” says Elyse. “We also had 22 women participate in our weekly walking club. I think we were so successful because the women were involved in the planning, and the students created workshops and programs based on the interests of the participants.”
Dr. Means Named CNN Hero…
Our very own Dr. Roseanna Means is CNN’s “Hero of the Week.” Watch the inspiring video, and then share with your friends on Facebook and your followers on Twitter!
Also, read CNN’s interview with Dr. Means at clicking here.
To improve the lives of women who are homeless or marginally housed through quality health care, education, and advocacy.
Health Care Without Walls Administrative Office:
148 Linden Street, Suite 208
Wellesley, MA 02482
Phone: 781.239.0290
Fax:781.235.6819
Email: wom@womenofmeans.org
