“I was an alcoholic, drug-addicted, bartender.”
And for a few years in the early 2000s, patient and Unity Care NW Board of Directors member Bruce Kadar was also homeless.
With the help of several local service agencies, Bruce has been in recovery since 2005. He has addressed his addictions and has secure housing. He became certified in peer support at the Rainbow Center and later went to college for a human services degree for Chemical Dependency Counseling. He chose Unity Care NW as his health care provider approximately 14 years ago.
“I feel welcome” at Unity Care NW. He finds that Unity Care NW is the “most willing to listen” about his health history. He can tell that the “people work here do it because they care about the patients.” Bruce receives treatment for his epilepsy, something he’s had since age 17, and for headaches and depression. He also uses the Unity Care pharmacy.
Several years ago, he read a bulletin board notice that the health center was seeking board members. He saw an opportunity to give back to the community.
As a board member, he has championed the expansion of the Behavioral Health Department. He has also been instrumental in promoting Unity Care NW’s participation in “Project Homeless Connect” (PHC). Bellingham/Whatcom PHC is a one-day, one-stop event, inviting people who are homeless or low-income to receive dental exams and services and general medical exams, counseling, enrollment in health insurance, and many other services. Bruce has served as co-chair of the Bellingham/Whatcom PHC in the past.
Bruce’s background and experience give him insight into the struggles that so many other UCNW patients face. He’s been on the board for six years and intends to serve for another three years. “We’re like family.”
Several years ago, he read a bulletin board notice that the health center was seeking Board of Directors members. He saw an opportunity to give back to the community.
As a Board member, he has championed the expansion of the Behavioral Health Department. He has also been instrumental in promoting Unity Care NW’s participation in “Project Homeless Connect” (PHC). Bellingham/Whatcom PHC is a one-day, one-stop event where people who are experiencing homelessness or who are low-income can receive dental exams and services and general medical exams, counseling, enrollment in health insurance, and many other services. Bruce has served as co-chair of the Bellingham/Whatcom PHC in the past.
Bruce’s background and experience give him insight into the struggles that so many other Unity Care NW patients face. He has been on the Board for six years and intends to serve for another three years. “We’re like family.”