Veronika suffers with severe tooth decay and had not seen a dentist in eight years.

Veronika’s tooth pain takes her to her knees.

“My teeth make me real sick once every few months,” she said. “I just feel terrible. My stomach’s upset. My whole body is tired. I feel like I’ve been poisoned.”

She has been experiencing severe tooth and gum decay for many years and even received care at the Mission when it opened in 1999 until her financial situation worsened and she felt she had no choice but to delay her care. When she resumed care at the clinic this year, it had been eight years since Veronika had seen a dentist.

“As a mother, you have to put the kids and their needs first,” she said, “And sometimes coming up with even $25 for a dental appointment for me isn’t easy.”

Veronika is a mother of five and a grandmother of two and one on the way. She and the three children who live at home with her rely on one person’s Social Security benefits to make ends meet.

“If it weren’t for the Mission,” she said, “I’d simply be suffering with no hope of relief.”

Before coming to the Mission, Janna had not seen a physician for management of her chronic illnesses in a year.

Janna left her home six weeks ago to enroll in the Salvation Army’s residential program for people who are battling alcoholism.

“When I heard about the Mission’s services,” she said. “I thought it was pretty neat; I had nowhere else to go.”

Janna has COPD, high blood pressure and depression and has not seen a medical doctor in a year. She is seeking care at the Mission to improve her overall wellness.

“I’m trying to get things back on track.”

Bonney has been a Mission patient since the 1980's and saves hundreds of dollars on her medication through the clinic's Prescription Assistance Program.

Recently, Bonney made an appointment to see Ginger Fabrizio, PA-C, for a Pap test and breast exam, necessities that Bonney says she would forgo if not for the Mission.

“I couldn’t afford the well woman exam otherwise,” she said. “I live on a widow’s pension. I receive $874 a month, and that doesn’t go very far.”

In addition to seeing a medical professional at the Mission’s low office-visit fee, Bonney saves money on medication through the Mission’s Prescription Assistance Program, which enables qualifying patients to receive a three-month’s supply of their medication for $3 per prescription. In Bonney’s case, that’s a savings of several hundred dollars, considering that she takes medication for high blood pressure, stomach issues and high cholesterol.

The level of care that she receives at such a reduced rate encourages Bonney to tell others about the Mission.

“I recommend anyone who has no insurance and low income to come here because the services are good and affordable,” she said. “You’re always welcome here, and the staff enjoys taking good care of you.”