Hidden needs in our community—filling the gaps

A panel of community organizations assisting the homeless and precariously housed will be presenting to the Altrusa Club at their lunch meeting on Wednesday, October 8. This panel will be comprised of Annie Cacheiro from ADFAC, Zabrina Minor from TORCH, Teresa Brittain from the Free Medical Clinic, and Jennifer Enderson of Emory Valley Center. The meeting will take place at the Doubletree Hotel Oak Ridge.

“ADFAC places emphasis on the prevention of homelessness and the development of self-sufficiency,” Cacheiro said of ADFAC’s services here in Anderson County. “Short-term financial assistance and counseling are provided with the goal of stabilizing the family during times of crisis. We respond to over 6,000 requests each year.”

“Everyone should have access to health care, regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status,” Brittain said. “These clients exist here in Anderson County, and these services must be provided.”

These issues and more will be discussed during this panel presentation, a press release said.

Altrusa International is a service organization comprised of community members focusing on leadership, partnership, and service with an emphasis on literacy and education.

Registration for Wednesday’s presentations will begin at 11:30 a.m., followed by a lunch buffet beginning at 11:45 a.m., followed by a short business meeting and then the program panel. Visitors with a reservation are welcome to attend. Guests may request a reservation by sending an email to [email protected] by Friday, October 3.

The lunch costs $13.