In the midst of a global pandemic and historic unemployment numbers, people across the country including here in the Baltimore area were desperately searching for support. Support to keep a roof over their heads, feed their families and find the balance to stay mentally stable and physically well. Residents in Baltimore’s Irvington community were able to find that support at My Brother’s Keeper.
“I’ve been coming to My Brother’s Keeper since the beginning of the pandemic,” said Howard Ware, a landscaper at nearby Loudon Park Funeral Home and Cemetery. “Thanks to this team, I was able to get both of my vaccination shots, my blood tested, and my belly filled. It’s a blessing to have this place right in the community because you truly receive everything you need. My father’s name is Kevin, so meeting Mr. Kevin Mason was a huge sign for me to know I was in the right place to be cared for.”
Kevin Mason is the program director at My Brother’s Keeper, a program that offers a wide range of support including, food, education, transportation, legal support to members of the community in need, and a health clinic. October marks the first anniversary of the on-site primary care clinic made possible through a partnership between Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital and Catholic Charities of Baltimore.
“Partnering with Catholic Charities to operate My Brother’s Keeper clinic has allowed our Ascension Saint Agnes care team to serve our community and meet people where they are,” said Allison MacKenzie, director of community health at Ascension Saint Agnes Healthcare. “Having a full-time registered nurse and a physician to provide clinical care combined with the case management services provided by Catholic Charities enables us to meet the needs of the whole person.”
“Where the healing begins and the hurting stops”
The health clinic offers on-site and virtual visits to reduce the hurdles people face when trying to get to a doctor and encourages clients to seek medical care before concerns become crises. The care team offers a variety of primary care services, including care for common illnesses and chronic conditions, annual physical exams, and help with issues like substance abuse and mental health concerns.
“Our focus on health equity means we confront daunting problems,” said Janet Addison, case manager at My Brother’s Keeper. “We prioritize providing ongoing services to address our client’s medical and mental healthcare needs, as we recognize this is where the healing begins and the hurting stops.”
My Brother’s Keeper health clinic is open Monday – Friday, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m, and is located at 4207 Frederick Ave, Baltimore, MD.