Supporters of Doctors Without Walls - Santa Barbara Street Medicine (DWW) gathered at Gauthier Wear Art on July 21 for a “launch party” for its new mobile medical van. The van, made possible by a $65,000 grant from the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara, will enable the nonprofit to greatly expand the health-care services it provides to homeless and low-income individuals.
During the short program. Paul Jaconette, board president and COO of CenCal Health, rejoiced in how the van adds to DWW’s small arsenal of equipment to take care of the most vulnerable members of our community. Boardmember Father Jon-Stephen Hedges, after getting a laugh from the crowd when he noted that this was his first “van blessing,” proceeded with a lovely blessing of the new vehicle. An official ribbon-cutting with the enormous Santa Barbara scissors followed, which drew grand cheers from the supporters. Santa Barbara Fire Chief Pat McElroy along with several other members of the Fire and Police departments were on hand to celebrate this milestone.
The vehicle is a wheelchair-accessible Ford Connect Mobility Van. It has removable seats to allow it to both transport a large number of passengers and to have an ample-sized exam area.