Nature Coast Ministries welcomes new director, focuses on its free dental clinic | Local News

From time to time it takes a whilst for an group to locate its market.

In 2008, Character Coastline Ministries started out out as a group of community pastors and volunteers wanting to support individuals who were toughest hit by the downturn in the financial system.

They did a tiny bit of this, a very little bit of that, gave persons food items and home furniture, helped pay out electrical expenses.

And they aided a good deal of persons.

Over the decades, they rented house for their operations where by they could, no matter whether it was in Crystal River or Homosassa, and they’d use aspect of their rented space for a thrift retailer to deliver earnings to nutritional supplement donations from churches and people.

They came to be regarded as the group to flip to if you experienced a house fireplace or you had been homeless and have been going into an apartment, furnishing your new location with all the things you essential.

“We’ve furnished 83 properties considering that the beginning of our ministry,” mentioned Cynthia Oswald, Mother nature Coast Ministries president.

Even so, even though they however do that, that hasn’t been their main focus for about 7 decades.

“By the grace of God this business has developed substantially, but remarkably, a good deal of persons really don’t know about our (no-price) dental clinic, and that’s our mission. Which is where all the dollars from our thrift store goes,” Oswald claimed.

“It’s the only absolutely free dental clinic in the entire county, and folks however really do not know about it,” she said.

In 2014, Citrus Memorial Wellbeing Foundation gave Character Coast Ministries $100,000 to purchase and sustain dental equipment for a free dental clinic.

The clinic initially started out in the former Catholic Charities creating in Homosassa right up until they opened the recent clinic in December 2015, with its shiny black and white floors and clear grey partitions, at 7655 W. Gulf-to-Lake Highway Unit 8, Crystal River.

The providers, free of charge for money-competent men and women and by-appointment only, are confined to extractions and fillings, with the objective of obtaining individuals healthy.

Providers are provided by volunteers – dentists and dental assistants.

Following six and a 50 percent several years, Nature Coastline Ministries board members recognized they experienced attained a place wherever they needed to go to a unique stage.

Persons even now didn’t know who they were being or what they’re about.

Four months in the past, they hired a new government director, Sonja McCaughey, a previous Tampa Law enforcement Section officer.

“In 2007, I acquired a lake household here as a getaway place, and satisfied Bonnie (McMullin),” McCaughey claimed.

McMullin handles general public relations for the firm and is 1 of its most ardent cheerleaders.

“I’ve often considered in this ministry,” McCaughey explained. “I have a brother who has Down syndrome and is nonverbal, and he benefited from an firm like this one in Tampa in which he was ready to get dental treatment. He experienced an incredible infection, and it is incredible it didn’t destroy him. So, I know how important this dental clinic is to this neighborhood.”

In the 4 months McCaughey has been at the helm, she explained she constantly meets people today who don’t know about the dental clinic or they consider it is for veterans only.

Several of the folks they see at the clinic are veterans, Oswald mentioned, but not exclusively.

It’s for any Citrus County resident who does not have dental coverage and is within just 200 p.c of the federal poverty guideline.

Yet another misunderstanding persons have is about the Character Coastline Ministries thrift retail outlet.

“Since I’ve been here, I’ve heard individuals say they thought the thrift keep was privately owned and that out of the goodness of the owner’s coronary heart they ended up donating to the (dental) clinic, and that’s not accurate,” McCaughey stated. “The thrift shop experienced always been owned by Nature Coastline Ministries, with all the revenue heading to the no-cost dental clinic.”

In addition to a new executive director, Character Coastline Ministries also employed Sarah Hardy as thrift store supervisor.

The thrift retailer is at 4546 S. Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa, in the plaza wherever Ollie’s is positioned.

Now that they have individuals positions loaded, additionally an business office supervisor for the dental clinic, one particular of the goals is for McCaughey to be out in the group talking to men and women about what Character Coastline Ministries does and what they have to have in get to do what they do.

Initially and foremost, they require volunteer dentists, even if it’s only a single working day a month or just one or two times a yr, or even a one-time change.

At this time, they have 80 men and women on a ready listing, waiting around to see a dentist, Oswald stated.

Apart from volunteer dentists, donations of dental equipment that’s no lengthier necessary, also dental supplies, would be drastically appreciated.

The Mother nature Coast Ministries thrift retail store has a number of requires, as perfectly:

The back again space of the thrift retailer where by they sort donations needs better lights, also a lot more shelving and strong ways to reach cabinets that are superior on the wall.

They also want anyone to set up protection cameras, and they could use the solutions of an electrician and a plumber.

To understand more, to volunteer or make a donation, contact the clinic office at 352-422-4327 or e mail [email protected].

Check out the website at www.my ncm.com.