Our Community Partners
DR. ANNA RAMSEY
30% to 40% of the homeless individuals that we serve at DWWCHO have one or more pets -- dogs, cats, or both. Unfortunately, there has been little opportunity for much-needed pro bono professional veterinary services inside the local homeless community other than an occasional rabies vaccination clinic -- until now! Recognizing this unmet need, DWWCHO has established a partnership with veterinarian Dr. Anna Ramsey to fill the gap. She will be attending our monthly Meet-Up Events to provide a free veterinary clinic offering vaccinations and basic diagnostic services (such as heartworm and FELV testing, urinalyses, ear/skin evaluations, and general bloodwork), along with physical exams, flea/tick/heartworm prevention, treatment of simple skin/ear infections, and other types of minor medical care/treatment (such as for some gastrointestinal issues and minor wounds/injuries). Dr. Anna, who recently relocated to the Chattanooga area from Texas, is a veterinarian with 15 years experience in veterinary nonprofits. She and her husband, Ringo, are launching their own nonprofit "The Dandelion Kind" to provide free veterinary care to the pets of unhoused individuals. They are honored to work with DWWCHO to support both people and their beloved companions.
DONNA ADKINS at the ST. ELMO UNITED METHODIST CHURCH FOOD PANTRY
Donna has been a long-time friend and supporter of our nonprofit organization. For the past year she has encouraged and mentored us in our ongoing efforts to bring much-needed assistance to the homeless community, especially in the Brainerd area. As a key point-person and decision-maker at the St. Elmo United Methodist Church Food Pantry, Donna has ensured a very generous donation flow of food and other needed items to the DWWCHO Operations Center on a weekly basis. To know Donna is to love her! Her rock-solid faith and perseverant attitude to help the homeless and less-fortunate is both inspiring and amazing. Thank you, Donna, for taking us under your wing and believing that together we could make a difference. We can never thank you enough for sharing your heart and generosity with us! If you live or work in the St. Elmo area, please find the time to drop by the Food Pantry one day soon with a donation of goods and/or finances to help support their work in the community. While you are there, be sure to give Donna a hug and thank her for being such a faithful DWWCHO friend and resource.
LOVING PEOPLE ON PURPOSE (LPOP)
Founder and President, Octavia McKenzie, founded LPOP with a vision to service displaced individuals by transporting essential needs and resources directly to them via an all-volunteer staff. LPOP regularly delivers an evening meal and other necessary supplies such as clothing and hygiene items at least one day per week to a growing population of homeless people in the Brainerd area. Many of the individuals that they serve consider Octavia and her LPOP team to be "angels of mercy", providing a regular and reliable resource in otherwise uncertain times and circumstances. For some, they have suffered an unexpected illness or injury which temporarily makes it extremely difficult for them to leave their tent or campsite to seek food or other necessities of life. For others, just knowing that there are people like LPOP volunteers dedicated to providing assistance that will help take some of the edge off a very difficult life existence is very comforting and appreciated. DWWCHO and LPOP work together to help cover the needs of the homeless community in the Brainerd area by regularly swapping information such as network connections and surplus supplies between their organizations. In addition, LPOP regularly participates in the DWWCHO Monthly Meet-Up Events on the 3rd Saturday of each month. Plan now to acquaint yourself with Octavia and her LPOP team by visiting their website at lovingpeopleonpurpose.org.
NICOLAAS VAN ZYL DDS
Dr. Nic has decades of experience practicing dentistry and prides himself on making all patients feel comfortable and at ease. Dr. Nic is an accredited and fellowship- trained dentist, a prestigious accomplishment that less than 700 dentists worldwide can claim. As a key DWWCHO community partner, Dr. Nic and his team of dental support professionals attend our monthly Meet-Up events where they donate their time and exceptional expertise providing a free tooth extraction clinic for the local homeless community. We are blessed to have them as part of our network!
REV. RICKEY SMITH
PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR OF FOOD DISTRIBUTION at GOD'S ABUNDANT GRACE MINISTRIES Wow!! What a dynamo of energy and service! On any given day Rickey can be found selflessly laboring to bring food, clothing, self-esteem, and a better life in general to those who need it the most -- the homeless community. Through a series of special relationships with some of the largest grocery operations in the Chattanooga area, Rickey's nonprofit organization, God's Abundant Grace Ministries, procures tons of donated surplus fresh and frozen foods each year. Each week, he distributes those donations to the homeless community through a network of partnerships with small nonprofit organizations including DWWCHO. Because of Rickey's willingness and faithfulness to singlehandedly pick-up, transport and distribute the food donations he receives each week from local grocers, he has provided a steady lifeline of quality nutritious food for the homeless individuals who visit the DWWCHO Operations Center. We are honored and privileged to be a trusted member of Rickey's food distribution network.
DR. ROBYN SANDIN, AND HER ASSISTANT WINDSOR!
Dr. Sandin is a board-certified Family Medicine physician who has a heart for the homeless and disenfranchised. She visits our Operations Center on a weekly basis offering free nail and wound care, health screenings, medical/dietary/lifestyle consultations, and treatment for minor illnesses and injuries. Dr. Sandin is working alongside us to meet the medical needs of those we serve as we continue our mission to make a difference in the local homeless community.
SEEING THE IN-BETWEEN
This local nonprofit organization is a close ally of DWWCHO, and frequently participates in our outdoor monthly Meet-Up events. They provide a very important and valuable service by filling necessity gaps during tough times. Please visit their FB page @Seeing The In-Between and website (seeingtheinbetween.org) to learn more about the many programs and events that they sponsor throughout Chattanooga. Together, we ARE making a difference!
WILLIAM D. THOMPSON - DOCTOR OF CHIROPRACTIC
Dr. Thompson has recently joined our panel of volunteer professionals. He has been practicing in the Chattanooga area since 1991, and specializes in chiropractic and functional medicine, and acupuncture. Dr. Thompson will be making regular appearances at our monthly Meet-Up events to provide basic chiropractic spinal adjustments to the homeless community. This valuable healthcare service is often needed, but is rarely available to unhoused individuals. Thank you, Dr. Thompson, for partnering with DWWCHO to share your professional expertise with the homeless!
