The Very Rev. Roy Allison, dean of the Northeast Deanery, has announced that two Volusia nonprofits will each receive $5,000, half from the Lilly Grant awarded to the Diocese of Central Florida late last year and half from the generosity of the 11 churches in the deanery.
“I reached out to the churches in the Northeast Deanery over several months, asking for ideas and suggestions on how best to serve our community through the Lily Grant Funds for outreach,” Allison explained. “We all agreed that these funds should go to The Jesus Clinic-Daytona Beach and Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Volusia County.”
The 11 churches in the Northeast Deanery contributed to match the Lilly grant contribution of $5,000 for a total of $10,000 to be disbursed. Each organization will receive $5,000.
The Diocese of Central Florida was awarded the $1 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support leadership development as part of its nationally competitive Thriving in Ministry Initiative. Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons, Eli and J.K. Jr. It supports the causes of community development, education and religion.
Jesus Clinic founders Dr. William Gilmer and his wife, Pam
Photo: The Jesus Clinic
The Jesus Clinic-Daytona Beach is a free, full-service medical clinic that serves uninsured working families and individuals in East Volusia County who don’t qualify for Medicaid. It was founded in 2006 by Dr. Bill Gilmer, an emergency room physician, and his wife, Pam, a registered nurse.
“Before the clinic existed, the poor had to depend on the ER to be their primary care physician,” Dr. Gilmer said. “The ER doctors would tell them that they had high blood pressure or diabetes, but there was no way for them to receive follow-up care.”
The clinic provides physicals, gastrointestinal exams, cardiology services, physiatry, physical therapy, urology services, gynecology and a dental clinic. One hundred fifteen doctors, 33 nurses and support staff volunteer along with two nurses who job-share. Its current building came as a gift from God via three parishioners who knew the nonprofit had outgrown its space, bought an existing clinic and donated it to the Jesus Clinic.
“One of our patients, Joanne McKinney, came to us in tremendous pain and barely able to walk,” Pam Gilmer said. “We x-rayed her leg and sent her to an orthopedist, who immediately sent her to the ER. The next day she had a hip replacement. When she came back for her follow-up visit, she gave all the glory to God!”
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Volusia County is a ministry of Holy Child, Ormond Beach, and was founded in 2017 by the church’s men’s ministry. “Trauma forms these new families,” explained The Rev. Mallene Stowe, a deacon and member of the leadership team.
Meetings are held the third Wednesday of each month in Holy Child’s Parish Hall and begin at 6:00 p.m. with a casual, family-style meal provided by the parish. At 6:45, the adults gather for their meeting, while the children enjoy planned activities with trained, screened volunteers.
Robin and Robert Harbuck, members of GRG, have adopted their grandson Jameson.
Robin and Robert Harbuck are among the couples raising grandchildren. “We felt alone in this situation until we started attending four years ago,” Robin said. “It’s the only group that truly understands our situation.”
One of the original members of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Volusia County described her situation. “Before the GRG group existed, I knew many others were facing the same struggles trying to raise their grandchildren while dealing with the suffering of their adult children, but there was no way to connect with them. I saw so many in the courthouse, in the schools, in certain counseling centers, in occupational therapy – places that are supposed to be confidential, so striking up a conversation was not exactly appropriate.
“When the GRG support group came into existence, I knew I was in a safe place, and I could share my experience and, at times, offer insight to others,” she said. “The connection with other grandparents is a therapy unlike any other. We all know ‘the look’ of weariness, and even though we can’t fix it, sometimes just being together and sharing understanding is enough. This gathering, the support, sharing our struggles and sharing of resources is truly a ministry for the soul.”
For more information on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Volusia County, please go to Facebook/GRG-volusia. To find out more about The Jesus Clinic-Daytona Beach, please call 386-253-6959.