Every year nearly 500 volunteers arrive through the doors of Community Volunteers in Medicine to help serve the many uninsured Chester County residents and workers who are in need of healthcare services. More than 4,200 patients visit CVIM each year for free medical, dental, medication, behavior health, and general wellness services. CVIM relies on the support of volunteers to continue its mission, and currently has the need for:

• Bi-lingual (Spanish/English) Clinicians
• Dieticians
• Diabetes Educators
• Primary Care Doctors & Specialists
• Nurses
• Mental Health Counselors
• Dentists
• Accountants

Volunteers Monica, Shannon, and Dr. Meyers can be found in the kitchen many Wednesday evenings setting up for cooking classes. Monica, a local professional chef, leads the class in both Spanish and English, while Dr. Meyers provides information about the health benefits of a plant-based, organic diet. CVIM provides these classes to patients using donated produce from the Chester County Food Bank, so they may learn healthy cooking techniques and recipes. These classes are just one of many facets of CVIM’s mission of providing compassionate care to those in need.

“As a volunteer, working with the patients is so rewarding,” said Monica, a CVIM volunteer chef and Spanish interpreter. “You become involved in their personal lives, and give them the opportunity to understand their health. In these cooking classes, they learn how to keep their traditions around food, but in a healthy way. The experience is empowering for both the volunteer and patient.”

For many volunteers, CVIM becomes a second home. At its recent Annual Volunteer Thank You Potluck, CVIM thanked approximately 200 volunteers in attendance. Many of the volunteers were thanked for 5, 10, 15, and 20 years of service.

Volunteers at CVIM serve patients who do not have access to health insurance through other means. For many individuals, CVIM is a lifesaving resource. Supported directly by volunteerism and philanthropy, CVIM demonstrates the true heart of community here in Chester County.

If you are interested in volunteering at CVIM, please contact Marie Frey at mfrey@cvim.org or at 610-836-5990 ext. 106. Click here for more information.

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