The government plays a crucial role in addressing public health concerns, social service provision and tackling issues like homelessness, substance abuse and mental health. It’s essential to address these issues with a comprehensive and strategic approach that involves partnerships, adequate funding, clear performance metrics and accountability measures.
It’s disappointing to witness instances where our local government outsources the responsibility of addressing social services to organizations that receive funding but don’t fully deliver on the services promised to the community. We should prioritize organizations that have proven, evidence-based programs that are effective in addressing these issues. It’s important to avoid investing or continuing to invest in organizations and programs with a limited history of success.
There is something worse than not getting what you paid for and that is allowing your oversight to fail people who depend on these services. We owe it to our citizens to ensure that our local government’s resources are used wisely and effectively to meet their crucial needs. As an attorney, I vigorously fight for my clients. As your representative for District 3, my commitment to advocating for those who may not be able to advocate for themselves will continue on a broader scale of policy implementation. I am eager to collaborate with my fellow commissioners and community partners to assess the current situation and work toward real progress.
An example of a successful partnership with community organizations is Willing Helpers Medical Free Clinic. Willing Helpers Medical Free Clinic is located in Newton County, Georgia. Their mission is to provide quality medical care to chronically ill, low-income, uninsured adults in the Newton County community. Willing Helpers is the first and only source of free medical care, free medication and low-cost medication for the uninsured in Newton County. The clinic has provided medical care to over 5,000 residents in the past 17 years and in 2021 had approximately 800 unique active patients. The patients seen at Willing Helpers primarily are diagnosed with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, kidney disease, hypertension and heart disease.
In 2021, due to the influx of patients suffering from these chronic illnesses worsened by Covid-19 exposure, Willing Helpers was on the verge of closure. Acknowledging the importance of Willing Helpers’ presence in our community, I reached out to Willing Helpers to obtain more information regarding the resources that were needed. I knew that Newton County had been allotted funds from the America Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”). These funds were meant to have far-reaching effects to address the plight left by the Covid-19 epidemic. I advocated for Willing Helpers to receive $750,000 of the funds from the America Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”). The allotment of these funds allowed Willing Helpers to remain open and secure medical equipment that would further assist in the treatment of low-income and uninsured patients.
It was my understanding and awareness that identified the issue, my compassion that motivated action and unwavering dedication that refused to rest until we discovered a solution. This is who I am. This defines my essence.
