Catholic Hawaii

The Office for Social Ministry
Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu

Mobile Care Health Project
(Big Island)

In collaboration with
ST. FRANCIS HEALTHCARE SYSTEM OF HAWAII

Our Mission:

Recognizing that every person is created in the likeness of God, the Office for Social Ministry of the Diocese of Honolulu and St. Francis Healthcare System seek to promote the health and well-being of the whole person.

The Mobile Care Health Project will provide medical, dental, social, psychological and spiritual services to those individuals, regardless of creed, who are unable to access such services because of financial, geographical or transportation barriers.

What is the Mobile Health Care Project?

The Mobile Care Health Project is a mobile, multi-service vehicle, which is fully outfitted with dental and medical equipment. The vehicle travels to Waimea, Kailua-Kona, and Kau to provide care to the homeless, indigent, and the uninsured.

Services provided by the Mobile Health Care Project

• Medical and dental primary care services

• Acute and episodic care

• Health education and chronic disease management

• Advocacy and linkage with health provider for on-going care

• Med-Quest enrollment

• Crisis counseling and intervention

• Housing services

• Information and referrals

A Brief History of Mobile Care

The Mobile Care Health Project is a community-created concept. The idea for a mobile unit that would provide primary medical, dental, and social service care grew from the convening of over 100 community members and individuals who met to outline the Big Island Strategic Plan on Homelessness.

The Office for Social Ministry assumed responsibility for the implementation of a mobile unit by securing funds to purchase the vehicles and developing the program.

St. Francis Healthcare System joined the project in June 1996, offering the clinical oversight of the dental and medical project. St. Francis Healthcare System has been providing medical and dental services to the poor since 1883 when Sister Marianne Cope came to the islands to assist Fr. Damien on Molokai.

For nearly three-quarters of a century, St. Francis Healthcare System has served the people of Hawaii. The history of growth began in 1927 with a modest 50-bed hospital. This single hospital evolved into a major Healthcare system, always under the direction of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis.

How you can help

There are many ways you can participate in the Mobile Care Health Project. We welcome:

• Monetary donations

• Professional volunteer services from dental hygienists and dental assistants

• Donations of medical and dental supplies

• Pharmaceutical supplies

• Office supplies such as filing items, paper, pens, etc.

• Prayer

Your support is greatly appreciated and will make a difference in the lives of those in need. Please make check payable to Mobile Care Health Project and mail your donation to:

Mobile Care
140-B Holomua Street
Hilo, HI 96720

Thank you for helping those in need.

AMEN.

The Mobile Care van was provided by the County of Hawaii through a Community Development Block Grant. Other funds have been provided by

• The Robert E. Black Foundation,

• The W.K. Kellogg Foundation,

• The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet - St. Paul Province,

• HMSA,

• J.M. Long Foundation,

• Hui Malama Ola O'iwi

• and community members of the Big Island.

The Office for Social Ministry is a Hawaii Island United Way Agency.

To Contact us:
Phone: (808) 935-3050
Fax: (808) 935-3794
E-Mail dude@gte.net

Mobile Care
c/o Office for Social Ministry
140-B Holomua Street
Hilo, HI 96720