The Clinic -- FAQ
What is The Touched Twice Clinic?
The Clinic results from the vision of one man who has the heart to bring churches together to help meet the real needs, both materlial and spiritual, of people with limited resources. It started in Massachusetts in 1996, and spread to Wisconsin when he moved to Chippewa Falls. To date, more than 20,000 people have been served through more than 20 events.
The Clinic website has put it like this:
The Clinic is a Christ-centered, faith based organization that strives to bring healing and peace to our community, meeting human needs in the name of Christ. We act as a catalyst, mobilizing volunteers from local churches and people with hearts for their communities, to set up periodic Clinics. There, we use licensed volunteers to meet our neighbors’ most pressing medical needs: diagnosing and treating disease, performing medical screenings, giving vision care, dispensing medications, providing dental work, and providing chiropractic treatment. We also provide free food (a warm meal plus pantry items) and clothing.
Where does the faith based part occur?
Each person who comes to The Clinic for assistance receives an Advocate, or Companion, who accompanies them throughout the day to make sure they are properly served. Or, as The Clinic website points out, that's where the Touched Twice ministry name comes from:
Like the blind man Jesus healed (see Mark 8:22b-25) people often need more than one touch to be made whole. After meeting our neighbors’ direct physical needs, we reach out to humanity with volunteer Advocates who share love, concern, and the Good News that we are all children of a loving God who wants to be in relationship with us – to bridge the gap that sin causes. Whenever possible, we connect them with a neighborhood church.
Where in Wisconsin has The Clinic occurred?
After starting in the Chippewa Falls/Eau Claire area, The Clinic sponsored two more events in 2003 at Altoona and Wausau. Then on May 1st of 2004, 23 churches worked together to connect 425 volunteers with 363 needy people in Appleton. On June 19th, 2004, Kenosha's Fellowship Church served several hundred people with their Clinic.
What kind of help is needed at The Clinic?
Volunteers are needed to help run our Clinics by providing:
- Medical screening (nurses)
- Basic medical care (MD’s, pharmacists)
- Dental screening/cleaning (dentists, dental hygienists)
- Vision care (exams, fittings)
- Chiropractic care
- Translators familiar with Madison's Latino, Hmong and other minority communities
- Companionship (ministering to clients while helping them navigate the Clinic; assessing spiritual needs--this is where most most people can get involved--companions are also known as advocates)
- Food service
- Beauticians and barbers
- Food Pantry (getting, sorting donations of food and items not available with food stamps)
- Registration and follow up (both volunteers and clients)
- Non-medical: (attorneys, accountants, beauticians and barbers, mechanics, whatever your gifts or talent.)
Most volunteers work the entire Clinic, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (clients are seen from 10:00 to 3:00), but you can
also work either morning or afternoon. Of course, we also need help with planning, recruiting volunteers, and Clinic
setup and cleanup. We can also always use prayer support.
When and where will it be held in Madison?
Saturday, October 13, 2007, at Evangel Life Center, 4402 Femrite Drive. Evangel Life Center is conveniently located just NE of the intersection of Stoughton Road and the Beltline, on the SE side of Madison.
What should I do if I want to help?
Medical volunteers should contact Mary Jean Erschen by email at mjerschen@charter.net.
Hundreds of average people are needed to be companions for the clients and to share their faith through a ministry of helps. Each client needs a companion. Training will be provided. To volunteer or get more information, contact Elizabeth Fredenberg by email at pefred@excite.com or by phone at: 222-4900.
How many churches are involved?
Volunteers from over a dozen churches participated in Madison's first Touched Twice Clinic last August 14th at Evangel Life Center. We hope you will consider becoming a part of the next Clinic.
Who is paying for this and what is the size of its budget?
This is a zero budget operation. All items and services are donated and no one is charged for anything.
Do you have information I could print out and share with others?
Sure. You're welcome to print out this FAQ sheet. We also plan to have updated versions of additional resources, so you can also print out our background information brochure. We will also have a reprintable bulletin insert and a short bulletin announcement you can use.