There’s never a dull moment when you’re an intern at End Hunger Connecticut! This week we were able to shadow Carl as he went around the Willimantic area doing outreach work and informing folks about the changes in the SNAP program. We went to the DSS office, as well as Generations, a federally granted health center that provides medical services to individuals and families with little to no health insurance coverage. The services are provided at minimum cost to people. One of the administrators of the organization estimated that the services provided by the health center average around $20 for one visit. However, a patient received many services under this fee, all in one visit. If they required these services elsewhere, they may end up paying $200!
I am always amazed when I am able to observe organizations like Generations and the work that they do. They remind me of my visit to the Hispanic Health Council in Hartford a few months back. These organizations work so hard, so selflessly, to help promote health in their often-forgotten communities. I am always amazed by the hard work that individuals and organizations put in to improve the quality of life for others in their communities. I can definitely see how dietitians can help these communities to try and raise awareness about nutrition, as well as facilitate access to an adequate food supply and healthcare. As the daughter of immigrants to the United States, I really appreciate the work that such organizations are doing, not only for their own particular ethnic groups, but for others as well. I would love to contribute to such a cause in the future. While I was at this site, my mind was filled with many ideas and thoughts about how I might incorporate what I had seen and learned at the health center in the future. I would love to try and open a health council for other minorities as well, especially people from a South Asian or Middle Eastern background. Despite the fact that this population has been in the U.S. now for many decades, with many second- and third-generation citizens, I do not know of any such health councils in Connecticut that specifically cater to the needs of this population. I felt that visiting this site really opened my eyes to many options that are possible for a community dietitian, and I think that it is a valuable place for future students to visit as well, especially if they are interested in working more with the community.