When the average American is sick, they call their primary care doctor. For the average farmworker, that’s a task that would be easier said than done. That’s where Vecinos Farmworker Health Program comes in. The nonprofit healthcare organization serves farmworkers in western North Carolina with the majority of services delivered through its mobile unit. Vecinos also has a walk-in clinic located on the campus of Western Carolina University.
Vecinos means “neighbor” in Spanish, and this is the foundation of the program’s mission.
Marianne Martinez, executive director, was the guest speaker at Bryson City Rotary Club on Thursday, Dec. 12.
Agriculture work is among the most dangerous jobs in the country, and workers face many barriers when it comes to accessing healthcare. Vecinos aims to break down healthcare barriers by bringing services directly to workers, according to information provided by the agency. In 2019, Vecinos served over 970 patients across 8 western counties. Vecinos has four full-time employees, 11 PRN medical providers, therapists and nurses; and student interns.
Martinez got to the why of her agency first off, reminding Rotary Club members that America’s agricultural system was built on slavery and continues to rely on people who are disenfranchised to function.
In WNC, the majority of farm workers are Spanish-speaking men from Mexico. Many are here on the H2A worker Visa program and some are permanent U.S. residents, or domestic migrants, who travel up the coast from Florida, through Georgia and into North Carolina with the growing season.
“One of the reasons Vecinos has been so successful in this hard-to-reach population is we’re all bilingual, all professional healthcare providers with specialized training for agricultural worker health. We know how to identify things like pesticide poisoning, sun poisoning and other unique healthcare needs.”
Since 2019, Vecinos has added mental health services and is the only bilingual integrated healthcare provider in the area. There are also seasonal workers who may live in an area on a more full-time basis. Their children go to public school and they attend local churches.
“They are integral to the fabric of the community but they often live in the shadows,” Martinez said.
In additional to providing general, dental, women’s, nutritional health, management for chronic disease and other health services, Vecinos also provides support through providing a food pantry and child passenger safety education and education on workers’ rights.
Common medical issues among Vecinos patients include vision issues, dermatological issues, chronic disease, musculo-skeltal issues and mental health.
Vecinos is a grassroots organization that has functioned primarily through word of mouth and direct outreach.
Introducing Martinez, Cashiers Valley Rotary Club member Ron Keller discussed how his Rotary Club supported the nonprofit with the purchase of its first mobile 15 years ago. It became evidently recently that Vecinos needed a new van and an upgrade at that. So, Cashiers Valley Rotary Club took up the effort and exceeded its goal of raising half the cost at $75,000. With a $25,000 matching grant from Keller, the club is nearing in on raising the full amount needed for the van that will greatly increase the agency’s ability to serve patients.
“We’re so blessed to have had the support we’ve had,” Martinez said.
The current mobile unit has served the agency well, but the retrofitted 15-passenger van has its shortcomings including a lack of privacy.
The new mobile unit will have three rooms in it, providing private setting in more traditional exam rooms and offer the ability to serve multiple patients at once with increase security and more space to provide health education.
Bryson City Rotary Club members, wondering how best to help, said they were interested in heading up a clothing drive for Vecinos. The agency plans another local visit when they have the new mobile unit.
Vecinos operates on funding from the United States Office of Rural Health and private donations. To learn more or give, email info@vecinosinc.org or call 828-293-2274.