News

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2010/09/compassion_connect_links_hundr.html

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John Kurmins' throbbing tooth pain has persisted since last September. At 37 and homeless without work, his dental care options were few. Kurmins' relief came Saturday in the Rose Quarter as a part of a local nonprofit's efforts to help thousands of needy people since 2006. 

"I'm excited to be able to chew on both sides of my mouth," said Kurmins, who started waiting at 8 a.m., an hour before the clinic opened. "I've been wanting to see a dentist for years." 

Compassion Connect, based out of Clear Creek Community Church in Rockwood, organizes clinics that provide medical and dental care along with clothing, hygiene supplies and housing help in communities around Portland. Saturday's event in the Memorial Coliseum was the organization's largest, with more than 400 volunteers providing dozens of services to almost a thousand people. 

Previous clinics focused on working-class communities. This event was outfitted for the homeless. 

"Every church in Oregon gets calls every week about people struggling," executive director Milan Homola said. "We're trying to take down the barriers and excuses to help the community work together." 

Homola said the vast majority of people who come to the clinics are seeking dental treatment. The nonprofit owns several portable dental chairs, and 13 dentists volunteered Saturday. 

Still, many come for other medical ailments. 

"Something in my back isn't right," said 59-year-old Curtis, who declined to give his last name. "And when you walk as much as I do and live out of bags, having pain makes it hard to look for jobs." 

Michelle Mundt, 54, who came to stock up on soap and shampoo, said the event had a social component. 

"When we're all out here and being highlighted, the stigma is less," she said. "Some of these people come out just to see each other -- without paying a cent." 

Homola and Gary Tribbett, both pastors at Clear Creek Community Church, assembled a clinic model in 2008 as a practical guide to organizing the events. Homola said the outpouring of local support has changed their approach. 

"People are now the manual," he said. "It's more bottom-up now. We wanted these events to be catalytic, and each event proves that they have been." 

The Memorial Coliseum clinic was the non-profit's seventh this year. Compassion Connect is planning clinics in Beaverton, Estacada and Tigard in October.