An Interview with Annmarie Roberts, Compassion Vancouver Heights Volunteer Leader
How did you get involved with the Compassion Clinic?
About 5 years ago, a friend of mine asked if I would be interested in helping at a Compassion Clinic in Vancouver. I got hooked, and now my summer revolves around Compassion Vancouver. It’s a wonderful opportunity to help those who are less fortunate, and I’m immeasurably blessed to be Jesus’ hands and feet here.
“One of the feel-good things about clinics is getting to serve alongside Christians that come from different walks of life. We are brothers and sisters here to help other brothers and sisters. We’re all one big happy family, with Lutherans, Presbyterians, and community churches. On Sundays, we often feel separated. Being able to come together and love God in this way is just powerful.”
Annmarie (center) leading the Registration area at Compassion Vancouver Heights 2018
Clinic guests receive a warm welcome at many points throughout their Compassion Clinic experience
A volunteer helps a guest fill out paperwork prior to entering the dental area. Behind them is one of the booths from the Clinic’s social services fair.
Compassion Clinics serve a wide variety of people from local communities. Services are provided on a first come, first serve basis but are free and open to all.
Clinics typically offer free childcare, which makes it easy to bring the whole family out! This family is waiting to receive services at the Compassion Oregon City Clinic.
More friendly faces ready to welcome and serve guests at the Compassion Vancouver Heights Clinic.
Has the clinic impacted your faith?
I’ve realized how strong Jesus feels about people who are poor. That’s something that I should not only care about, but figure out how to help with. Another thing I’ve learned is how to love those who are homeless.
Being a [Compassion Clinic] volunteer is so very easy. There’s not a ton of training involved, and I’ve been able to feel helpful despite the fact that for my first year, I was on Security, and I just walked the lots and in and out of the clinics to be sure that everyone was feeling safe. In the second and third year, I worked in Connections and they explained everything so well. Registration is also super easy to pick up, and helps us convey the love for Jesus.
“You can help so many people in various ways, and as a volunteer, it’s so rewarding to have so many options to help people with. No matter where you’re plugged in, you feel like you’re helping each person that enters the door. There’s no job that’s more important than the other.”
Dental volunteers with a happy guest 🙂
10+ years after Compassion Clinics first began, the dental area is still one of the busiest areas because many individuals and families go without dental coverage.
A volunteer health professional triaging a guest before receiving medical services, which can include…
…Chiropractic/ massage care…
…and even foot care and foot washing.
Many Compassion Clinics also offer eye care, including eye exams and sometimes free glasses.
There are so many areas to choose from. There’s cutting toenails, doctors, nurses, and food prep. You can help so many people in various ways, and as a volunteer, it’s so rewarding to have so many options to help people with. No matter where you’re plugged in, you feel like you’re helping each person that enters the door. There’s no one job that’s more important than the other.
One of the feel-good things about Compassion Clinics is getting to serve alongside Christians that come from different walks of life. We are brothers and sisters here to help other brothers and sisters. We’re all one big happy family, with Lutherans, Presbyterians, and community churches. On Sundays, we often feel separated. Being able to come together and love God in this way is just powerful.
Every Compassion Clinic is locally owned by groups of churches working together to serve their neighbors, and Compassion Connect provides the coaching, equipment, and infrastructure to make them possible!
While the actual physical services we can provide are important, one of the most powerful things we can offer our Compassion Clinic guests is prayer and the affirmation of Jesus’ love.
Other services provided at Clinics: haircuts…
…Childcare…
…Food (of course)…
…and some Compassion Clinics even offer clothing.
What is your hope for the guests that come to the Clinic?
One, I hope they hear that God loves them. Two, I hope they feel loved by us. Whether they’re dropped off in a van, or if they walk here, I want them to feel loved and cared for the very minute that they walk in.
As we work together as the Church to love and serve our neighbors in Jesus’ name….
…we can make a difference in our neighbors’ lives and begin to build the bonds of Unity that will help overcome the division and hatred in our world.
