Mosaic Partners with Local Nonprofit, Saving Grace

(Bend, OR) – Beginning this month, Mosaic will take another step toward meeting patient needs where they live. A Mosaic doctor will be making regular visits to the Saving Grace emergency shelter to provide medical care to residents. Many of these women have not been able to access medical care for some time – some may have fled directly from an abusive partner and may have been prohibited by that person from seeking medical attention entirely.

“A former client of ours had been living in a camper in a rural area prior to staying at our shelter,” said shelter manager, Ashby Rodriguez. “They had multiple, untreated broken ribs from over the years of abuse from the same partner. In fact, this is a common situation for women in a physically abusive situa­tion.”

Many women arrive at Saving Grace with their children, who may have also been unable to receive med­ical care. “In order to access the medical care that most residents require during their stay,” Rodriguez continued, “they must navigate challenges like mobility, transportation, childcare, and current injuries. Having Mosaic come to the shelter to provide care to our residents eliminates these barriers and makes it far easier for them to receive the health services they need.”

A Mosaic doctor and medical assistant will provide a variety of services to Saving Grace residents, includ­ing preventative services like general exams and well-child checkups, as well as vaccinations and pre­scription medications. “Medications are often left behind when someone leaves an unsafe relationship, or someone needs a refill after staying in our shelter for a time,” Rodriquez explained.

“It’s a tremendous benefit to have community partners like Mosaic, who understand the needs of domestic and sexual violence survivors,” said Trish Meyer, Interim Executive Director at Saving Grace.

“Meeting them in a safe space can make all the difference for the women and children we serve – ulti­mately leading to better health outcomes for our community.”

About Saving Grace:
Saving Grace provides comprehensive family violence and sexual assault services in Central Oregon and pro­motes the value of living life free from violence.