Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to Light of the D, a focus on what's
happening in our community from the people who make it happen.
Here's your host, iHeartMedia Detroit Market President Colleen Grant.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Good morning and welcome to another episode of Light of
the D. I'm your host, Colleen Grant. I'm joined today
by doctor John Edward Docworth, who is pastor of Guests
seventy Missionary Baptist Church of Westland. Doctor dot Worth also
serves as second Vice president of the Council of Baptist
Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity, Inc. As well as the
(00:34):
Vice president of the Inkster Ministerial Alliance. Guestsemite Missionary Baptist
Church is a partner with the Michigan Department of Health
and Human Services and home of one of the twenty
two neighborhood Wellness Center locations in Michigan, which we're discussing today.
More information on that can be found at Gmbcwestland dot org.
(00:56):
That's Gmbcwestland dot org. Let's get to it. Welcome, doctor
doc or, thank you for joining us today.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
Thank you. So, why don't we.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Kind of get to the heart of the matter and
talk with you about like what is a neighborhood Wellness center.
Speaker 4 (01:15):
Neighborhood Wellness Center really came out of the devastation that
we experienced with the health disparities during the pandemic. I think,
of course, being a member of my community, I always
knew it was there, but I think it got national
(01:37):
and worldwide variety and publicity because it was one of the,
if you could say.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
Positive things that came out of the.
Speaker 4 (01:48):
Pandemic was the need to understand the importance of the
health disparities and what can be done to shure up
the health disparities.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
So the Neighborhood Community Center is.
Speaker 4 (02:04):
Dedicated to dealing with, oftentimes with chronic diseases that are
harder hit in.
Speaker 3 (02:13):
Certain communities than others, and.
Speaker 4 (02:18):
Using the church in our situation as a trusted voice
that was involved in the testing, the vaccination and everything
else has related. So building upon the street if you will,
street credibility or community credibility that we had for being
(02:42):
there for the community, it was just a wonderful fit.
And so now we want to expand upon that target audience,
if you will, and deal with health and wellness services
designed to prevent and or at least treat chronic diseases
and to try to get it to where people are
(03:04):
often the most dire or in need of this help
in services that sometimes for various reasons, they're not able
to have access to as well as others.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
So you have a relationship with your parishioners, your congregation
that is trusting, and so when you find that there
are people who have needs related to chronic illness or illnesses,
you're a resource that has been created to help them
find help. Is that right then?
Speaker 3 (03:36):
Definitely?
Speaker 4 (03:36):
Yes, yes, And I've always had a passion for health.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
As a matter of fact, my dissertation.
Speaker 4 (03:47):
Was involved with creating a health ministry with an African
American church just to see how the impact would try
to at least decrease the numbers of health disparities within
the African American community. But of course, you know, we're
open to any and all who come, but because of
the disparities and the numbers, we wanted to try to
(04:09):
address those and need first the most.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Yes, of course, So just out of curiosity, how long
ago did you do that dissertation?
Speaker 3 (04:21):
I don't have to answer that. Two thousand and five.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
Well, I think what's really cool about that is that's
what you did your dissertation on you know, and here
you are today working as a pastor in a community,
providing those services to people who need those services most.
Speaker 4 (04:39):
It's it's it's a dream come true. It's it's it's
because it was always my passion. But we didn't have
the capability of providing like a.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
Health center, if you will, for the community. At the church.
Speaker 4 (04:53):
We would have, you know, we would constantly have health
fairs and things of that nature, but they were only temporary,
whereas now we're talking three days a week. We're talking
Tuesdays from nine to five, Thursdays from nine to five,
and Sundays from nine thirty to one thirty.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
So I'm on one end.
Speaker 4 (05:12):
I'm like a kid in the candy store because we're
able to provide and no one has to go anywhere
they can rather they are a member of the congregation,
they can leave out of sanctuary, going to the fellow
Shipaul or individuals that have been coming to the church
for various reasons for the pandemic, you know, like I said,
(05:33):
the testing and the vaccinations and things of the nature.
Speaker 3 (05:37):
It's already a place.
Speaker 4 (05:40):
That's on their radar that the GPS already has logged in.
Speaker 3 (05:45):
It's a wonderful fit.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
I love it. So let's talk about who's behind making
these neighborhood wellness centers come to life. How did this
come about?
Speaker 4 (05:54):
Well, this came along with the Michigan Department of Health
and Human Services.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
And you know, we were willing.
Speaker 4 (06:04):
Like I said, we were a testing center and because
we had a decent we had a pretty good response
in our area because we're out out, you know, outside Detroit,
and a lot of times everything is geared for Detroit,
rightfully so because it's the largest city, but there are
other communities that sometimes may not have the transportation to
(06:27):
go to Detroit.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
And so by us being with that, we were able
to partner.
Speaker 4 (06:34):
With Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to in
Wayne State and some other individuals to come together to
try to see what can we do to increase the
health outcomes and.
Speaker 3 (06:51):
Try to drain the health disparities. So give us an.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
Idea of some of the resources that people can find
at a neighborhood wellness center. What what are the services
that are offered?
Speaker 4 (07:03):
Well, the first thing I want to say is that
everything at the center is free ninety nine, which is
always great. There's no cost, there's no ID is needed,
there's no insurance, there's no appointments to receive service, no costs.
You just we're not asking to see ID any of the
(07:23):
things of nature. We just want to help the individual
so that we try to do what we can to
break down the barriers.
Speaker 3 (07:30):
But it includes preventative services.
Speaker 4 (07:34):
It includes access to NARCAN prevention education. It includes blood
pressure screening, diabetes screening, cholesterol screening, substance use disordered services.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
We have an on site community health worker.
Speaker 4 (07:55):
We have COVID nineteen and flu testing that's involved in.
We have crisis support including warming and cooling centers, UH
doing disaster.
Speaker 3 (08:07):
Response, and things of their nature.
Speaker 4 (08:08):
So there's a lot of different things that that comes along,
and that's.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
A part of what we're doing.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Wow.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
So these are a lot of services.
Speaker 4 (08:18):
And then if people have other services, if there's food
and security or things of the nature, these are all
things that is included because we have the community health worker.
So we basically want it to be like a Myers
fifty acres or what they call it Myer's novel back
and then when the first started aging myself, it was
Meyers fifty acre but to have a Myers where if
(08:40):
a person has any type of need, because a lot
of times the health disparities are signs.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
Of other issues and other problems.
Speaker 4 (08:52):
So to be able to definitely deal with the whole
picture of individual's health. This is why we you know,
because stress, of course is could be a part of
the fact a person has They don't have food security,
or they may not have home security, and so that
becomes stressful, may bring onto other diseases and things of
(09:13):
the nature.
Speaker 3 (09:14):
So we try to look at the whole person.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
Yeah, because those health problems are often you know, related
to other things that are going on. It's true, so
you know there are problems behind the problem that have
to be addressed. What who's eligible to benefit from your services?
Speaker 3 (09:31):
Who we were like, we're like the church. Whosoever will
let them come, love it. I love it.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
And and we had talked earlier that there are twenty
two neighborhood wellness center locations UH right across the area.
And what are what are what are the community health
workers who are involved with you.
Speaker 4 (09:55):
Well, part of what the asmonsibulit of community health workers
is they have community members identify social determinants of health needs,
like I say, food, transportation, housing, and we try to
their responsibility to link them to address those needs as
(10:19):
a resource center, so they could say, well, hey, you
know this is available for you. And this is because
a lot of times individuals are eligible for help, but
often they are unaware they are eligible for help, and
so there.
Speaker 3 (10:36):
Is a need that often goes on met not.
Speaker 4 (10:40):
Because there wasn't the capable abilities of meeting the need.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
The person in need didn't.
Speaker 4 (10:46):
Know that there was help available to them. So this
tries to bridge the gap so that those that's in
need of the services can take full advantage of the
services that exist the help.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
So the community health worker sounds like a really important
link in the whole picture for the individual.
Speaker 4 (11:08):
Yes, because they also offer health counseling, education services and
provides referrals to primary care providers, senior services and more.
Speaker 3 (11:20):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
So that's that's an super important role at neighborhood Wellness center.
Where where again, is your neighborhood wellness center? It's in Westland.
Speaker 4 (11:31):
In Westland, It's it's at two nine zero six six
Eaton Street in Westland.
Speaker 3 (11:38):
The nearest intersection.
Speaker 4 (11:41):
Where we're in between, we're off of Middle Belt on
Eaton Street between Van Born and Annneapolis.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
Okay, and remind us of the hours hours again.
Speaker 4 (11:53):
Yes, it's Tuesday and Thursday from nine am to five
pm and on Sunday at Sunday mornings from nine thirty
to one thirty pm.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
What's your favorite part about being involved in this program,
Doctor Duckworth.
Speaker 4 (12:09):
Being able to help people in the preventative stage, because
I just believe it's cheaper to change your oil than
it is your engine. And so to be able to
have people know their status, find out their status because
a lot of times people are particularly if you uninsured,
(12:30):
you're not quick. And that was really what got my
passion going into this health thing because I was working
with back in the day, there was an initiative call
covering the Uninsured Week, and I was part of the
church or the faith based component, and we had a
day where we did different things to bring awareness to
(12:55):
the fact of many that were uninsured. And so what
we've discovered is that when people are uninsured or under insured,
they sometimes will cut it out when it comes to
certain health disparities or health challenges or health issues, and
so by the time they receive help, sometimes had it
(13:19):
has increased exacerbated beyond a point where it.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
Could have been a simple fix. Now it becomes a
complex situation.
Speaker 4 (13:28):
And so being able to have individuals to come to
our church for not only spiritual healing, but for physical
healing is one of the things that really, you know,
it is one of the things I'm really proud about
the fact that it's there and people can come and
(13:48):
get help, you know, because of course, as the church,
people come to church anyway, but we're often limited in
our resources. But now this is like another foul cabinet
of other resources in other ways that we have people
designated they can help persons in need and still allow
(14:09):
us to do what we do, and we're in partnership.
So that's one of the things that really makes what
we do great and proud for me.
Speaker 2 (14:21):
I love that. So if you're listening, you're having some
health issues and you don't have resources for those health issues.
You know, one of twenty two locations you can go
to is Case seventy Missionary Baptist Church of Westland, and
they have health workers there, community health workers who their
job is to help you find resources to help you.
(14:42):
As doctor Duckworth said, be preventative, so that the health
issue that you might be concerned about isn't becoming as
he said, exacerbated or worse, but to get you the
resources you need. But it sounds like doctor duckworth not
just in health, but in all the things that might
be even affecting your health. Either it is UH freed
and security or resources for jobs or transportation or what
(15:05):
what other kinds of things have you seen that you've
helped folks with.
Speaker 4 (15:10):
Well, what that you know, it may be utilities, Oh, yes,
if they're dealing with you know, utility payments and things
of that nature. Being able to provide resources for our
seniors many you know, whether it's mills.
Speaker 3 (15:25):
On wheels or other type of UH.
Speaker 4 (15:28):
Senior UH entities that are out there to service our
seniors that many of the seniors may not know about
or care their caregiving children or grandchildren.
Speaker 3 (15:41):
Yes, you know. And then we also there's also a.
Speaker 4 (15:44):
Mental health component as well, and we know in this
state that mental health UH the resources of things that
drindled down when there was a change of governor some
time ago, and now we're dealing with the residuals and
the side effects of not taking care of and not
providing ample care for those with mental challenges in mental situations,
(16:10):
and so we want to include that as well because
we want people to have outlets and to get the.
Speaker 3 (16:17):
Help and service that they need.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
You know, you brought up a really interesting point there
about people who are caregivers, which is a huge job.
And boy, the resources that people need if you're a
caregiver for your parent or grandparent are so substantial. And
you help those folks too, Yes, that's great. What's the
(16:43):
process for new patients If somebody comes to the neighborhood
Wellness Center and they've never been to your center before,
what kinds of things will they experience? I mean you
had said there's no id check, there's no background kind
of things going on, So what would somebody expect to
have happen when if they showed up one one day?
Speaker 4 (17:01):
Show up, have a seat with the people that's going
to get the information and find out exactly what your
needs are.
Speaker 3 (17:09):
And then we have stations.
Speaker 4 (17:12):
Around our fellowship hall and they will direct you as
to what station rather you need all services because there
are multiple services also available, and so once you come
to the main person checking to get your information so
that they'll know how to communicate with you, find out
who you are and everything, and then based upon your need,
(17:33):
they will you will be directed to certain areas within
the within the church that will address your needs.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
So easy, very easy, very easy, and very welcoming. It
sounds like as well, exactly, that's great. So you know,
we're we're you know, we're going into different holiday seasons
and are there any tips or recommendations for our listeners
to protect their families, you know, to keep their health
(18:04):
a little more secure as they're around more people and
out and about more well.
Speaker 4 (18:10):
Of course, from a health perspective, there's always the encouragement
of vaccinations when possible, you know, for those that you
know do believe in it. If you don't, then definitely
you want to take the extra precautions, whether it's wearing
masks and crowds and things of that nature. Because we
did discover one of the things that's really talked about
(18:34):
is that when we had the mask mandates in their nature,
flu and other diseases were down tremendously.
Speaker 3 (18:43):
You know.
Speaker 4 (18:43):
Now, of course, you know, not everyone wants to live
their life that way, but my mom is eighty four
years old and she doesn't go anywhere with.
Speaker 3 (18:54):
By the mask.
Speaker 4 (18:54):
Now she's okay with it, and so there are some
people that are okay with it and they stay relative healthy,
you know, you know, definitely, you know, as things has
presented itself.
Speaker 3 (19:05):
But but yeah.
Speaker 4 (19:07):
So just taking the exprecaution on finding out, you know,
the status for COVID, things that, you know, things of
nature when there is a possibility of having different tests taken.
I get tested every week at the church. I get
tested be COVID because I'm always around people, and so
(19:30):
I want to make certain that if by a chance,
you know, I have received this from someone else, that
I don't spread it to someone else. So every Sunday
I'm tested because again, as as the leader, I believe
in leading by example, and so you know, I go
back there to the center and get things checked out
(19:53):
so that people will be encouraged to also get things
checked out. And our people did the ten our church
do fairly well. Our biggest challenge right now is getting
this information out so that individuals will know what's available
in their neighborhood. Because we truly are a neighborhood wellness center.
(20:19):
We just need people to take advantage of the neighborhood
wellness center.
Speaker 2 (20:24):
Right, And I'm sure if you know, you're one of
as we've said twenty two, if you google neighborhood Wellness
Centers center locations in Michigan or in the Detroit South
Southeast Detroit area, I bet there's a location that you
could find that you know, would would provide those resources
to you as well. Doctor duck Worth, you had mentioned
(20:45):
vaccinations and if somebody, if somebody is you know, supportive
of vaccinations, they want to get vaccinations, is your location
a place they can do that?
Speaker 4 (20:52):
Then well it was okay, Well, there's there's been some
you know, things have changed when it comes to vascinations.
Speaker 3 (21:01):
At one time you could, you know, you could get them.
Speaker 4 (21:05):
But I want to say earlier this year or towards
the end of last year, I noticed that things were different,
and they were different to the point that I had
a parishioner that was in the hospital and she was
(21:26):
fearful of getting COVID and so I was visiting her
and we called the nurses like, hey, we would like
to get her vaccinated. They no longer had the vaccine
in the hospital. Wow, so hospitals no longer have them.
Everything is being sent to pharmacies. So of course, you
(21:48):
know there's you know, reasons for that which we're all
aware of. So we're hoping that if that's available, I
would love for it to be available back again at
our church, but we just are not certain right now
because particularly COVID vaccine, and I'm not certain about the flu.
Speaker 3 (22:08):
I know, sometimes we'll have a flu truck come.
Speaker 4 (22:10):
Out and we have it set up where people can
come and get the flu shot, you know, at the
church in one of the little mobile units that comes out,
you know, with that. So, like I said, we partner
with so many different partners around the health issue where
we've been able to get help for individuals. But so
(22:32):
right now, as far as the COVID vaccine is concerned,
I'm just not certain yet. But I'm always inquiring if
that's the case, so that you know, we could also
let that be known that we're having that. But like
I said, right now, everything seems to be geared towards pharmacies.
Speaker 2 (22:49):
Okay, So the good news is is you have, you know,
you have, like you said, these community health workers who
will provide resources and can tell you where you need
to go. It might be with any missionary Baptist church
or it might not be. But if you give a
call to UH, to the church, they can tell you
whether they have that resource and if not, the good
(23:09):
news is you have community health workers that can put
you in touch with whomever you need to either get
your vaccinations or or whatever else you might need to
keep you healthy. All they have to do is give
a call. Do you have that number? Handy? By chance?
Speaker 4 (23:23):
Chore it's UH seventh three four seven one two five
five seven.
Speaker 2 (23:29):
Can I get that from you one more time? In
case somebody just get their pen out and they're.
Speaker 4 (23:34):
Trying to get four seven four seven one two five
five seven.
Speaker 2 (23:41):
Five five seven, all right, write in that town. Let
me ask you what is the what is the ultimate
goal of the Neighborhood Wellness Centers? You know, I understand
that it's a partnership with the Michigan Department of Health
and Human Services, and you want to provide resources. What's
the ultimate goal of the neighborhood Wellness centers?
Speaker 3 (24:00):
Health?
Speaker 4 (24:02):
That's that's the ultimate goal, better health, preventing things that
are preventable, treating things that are treatable, and the health
disparities going down that was exposed during the pandemic.
Speaker 3 (24:19):
So that's that's the ultimate goal of the wellness center.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
And why did you specifically decide to be a host site.
Speaker 4 (24:29):
Because again my passion for health and the fact that
our location is a location that's outside the city of
Detroit right.
Speaker 3 (24:42):
Next to Inkster, so we're in a We're in a
good location.
Speaker 4 (24:46):
And the one is that definitely makes certain that you
know we provide because I just believe not only in
salvation for your soul, but I also believe in liberation
for your life.
Speaker 3 (24:57):
So I want our church to be a full rounded
church where it's like a Myers.
Speaker 4 (25:04):
Again, that's the analogy I like to use, where whatever
your need is, we can provide that for you or
at least give you information to help you out to
get with your seeking.
Speaker 2 (25:17):
I love it is there are there any other events
or any other things coming out that you want people
to know about that are taking place at Kaseemiti Missionary
Baptist Church with regard to the neighborhood wellness centers or
any activities or anything else that we're missing.
Speaker 4 (25:32):
Well, we have the centers which will be you know,
of course, we'll probably we don't know if we're gonna
have it on Tuesday because of the election upcoming, and
we probably won't have it Thanksgiving.
Speaker 3 (25:47):
We probably won't have a Thanksgiving Day.
Speaker 4 (25:49):
But outside of holidays and inter nature, we're just something
that we just got going every week. Really nothing special
that's connected to the world.
Speaker 3 (26:00):
The center then you know.
Speaker 4 (26:02):
The things that we generally try to do like this,
This upcoming Thursday, which is Halloween, we have a chunk
of treat that takes place in the parking lot of
our church, and it happens to also be on a
Thursday in which the Neighborhood Center will be open and
operating during their time.
Speaker 3 (26:21):
So perhaps if.
Speaker 4 (26:22):
People could come early, they could while they're there for
the candy, they can get checked out.
Speaker 2 (26:29):
I love it too, for so they.
Speaker 3 (26:32):
Can get a real treat, right, I love it.
Speaker 2 (26:37):
Doctor Duckworth. Thank you for the work that you're doing
as as a neighborhood wellness center, helping people out, helping
them with prepentitive medicine, especially in the underserved communities who
need UH need more resources and services to help them
be as healthy as everybody should be. Everybody has those
UH has the right to be healthy, and so thank
(26:59):
you for everything you're doing to help the community. Doctor Duckworth.
What would you say you want to have happened with
your specific wellness center.
Speaker 3 (27:07):
You know this helps you know, get that word out.
This is the challenge we have now.
Speaker 4 (27:11):
We have people ready, but we don't have enough people
to my satisfaction coming through.
Speaker 3 (27:16):
I would like to see people there every day. I
would like to see.
Speaker 4 (27:20):
People almost waiting on us to open and begging us
to keep to stay open longer.
Speaker 3 (27:25):
That would be the dream scenario, but realistically so that
people are taking.
Speaker 4 (27:32):
Advantage that we've had few but we haven't had the
amount that makes me happy.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
Our guest today has been doctor John Duckworth. He's the
pastor of guest seventy Missionary Baptist Church of Westland, which
is one of the Michigan Department of Health and Human
Services neighborhood Wellness centers. And if you need more information
on that, I'm just gonna remind you can call seven
three four seven two one two five five seven. That's
(27:59):
seven three four seven two one two five five seven.
People are there ready to help you with resources or
connect you to resources to help ensure that you have
a healthy life, that you have the resources you need
to lead a healthy life. And thank you again, doctor
dock Worth for joining us today. Really appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (28:19):
Thank you, and have a blessed holiday season you too.
Speaker 1 (28:24):
This has been light Up the D, a community affairs
program from iHeartMedia Detroit. If your organization would like to
get on the program, email Colleen Grant at iHeartMedia dot com.
Here are all episodes on this station's podcast page.
Welcome to Light of the D, a focus on what's
happening in our community from the people who make it happen.
Here's your host, iHeartMedia Detroit Market President Colleen Grant.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Good morning and welcome to another episode of Light of
the D. I'm your host, Colleen Grant. I'm joined today
by doctor John Edward Docworth, who is pastor of Guests
seventy Missionary Baptist Church of Westland. Doctor dot Worth also
serves as second Vice president of the Council of Baptist
Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity, Inc. As well as the
(00:34):
Vice president of the Inkster Ministerial Alliance. Guestsemite Missionary Baptist
Church is a partner with the Michigan Department of Health
and Human Services and home of one of the twenty
two neighborhood Wellness Center locations in Michigan, which we're discussing today.
More information on that can be found at Gmbcwestland dot org.
(00:56):
That's Gmbcwestland dot org. Let's get to it. Welcome, doctor
doc or, thank you for joining us today.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
Thank you. So, why don't we.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Kind of get to the heart of the matter and
talk with you about like what is a neighborhood Wellness center.
Speaker 4 (01:15):
Neighborhood Wellness Center really came out of the devastation that
we experienced with the health disparities during the pandemic. I think,
of course, being a member of my community, I always
knew it was there, but I think it got national
(01:37):
and worldwide variety and publicity because it was one of the,
if you could say.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
Positive things that came out of the.
Speaker 4 (01:48):
Pandemic was the need to understand the importance of the
health disparities and what can be done to shure up
the health disparities.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
So the Neighborhood Community Center is.
Speaker 4 (02:04):
Dedicated to dealing with, oftentimes with chronic diseases that are
harder hit in.
Speaker 3 (02:13):
Certain communities than others, and.
Speaker 4 (02:18):
Using the church in our situation as a trusted voice
that was involved in the testing, the vaccination and everything
else has related. So building upon the street if you will,
street credibility or community credibility that we had for being
(02:42):
there for the community, it was just a wonderful fit.
And so now we want to expand upon that target audience,
if you will, and deal with health and wellness services
designed to prevent and or at least treat chronic diseases
and to try to get it to where people are
(03:04):
often the most dire or in need of this help
in services that sometimes for various reasons, they're not able
to have access to as well as others.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
So you have a relationship with your parishioners, your congregation
that is trusting, and so when you find that there
are people who have needs related to chronic illness or illnesses,
you're a resource that has been created to help them
find help. Is that right then?
Speaker 3 (03:36):
Definitely?
Speaker 4 (03:36):
Yes, yes, And I've always had a passion for health.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
As a matter of fact, my dissertation.
Speaker 4 (03:47):
Was involved with creating a health ministry with an African
American church just to see how the impact would try
to at least decrease the numbers of health disparities within
the African American community. But of course, you know, we're
open to any and all who come, but because of
the disparities and the numbers, we wanted to try to
(04:09):
address those and need first the most.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Yes, of course, So just out of curiosity, how long
ago did you do that dissertation?
Speaker 3 (04:21):
I don't have to answer that. Two thousand and five.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
Well, I think what's really cool about that is that's
what you did your dissertation on you know, and here
you are today working as a pastor in a community,
providing those services to people who need those services most.
Speaker 4 (04:39):
It's it's it's a dream come true. It's it's it's
because it was always my passion. But we didn't have
the capability of providing like a.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
Health center, if you will, for the community. At the church.
Speaker 4 (04:53):
We would have, you know, we would constantly have health
fairs and things of that nature, but they were only temporary,
whereas now we're talking three days a week. We're talking
Tuesdays from nine to five, Thursdays from nine to five,
and Sundays from nine thirty to one thirty.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
So I'm on one end.
Speaker 4 (05:12):
I'm like a kid in the candy store because we're
able to provide and no one has to go anywhere
they can rather they are a member of the congregation,
they can leave out of sanctuary, going to the fellow
Shipaul or individuals that have been coming to the church
for various reasons for the pandemic, you know, like I said,
(05:33):
the testing and the vaccinations and things of the nature.
Speaker 3 (05:37):
It's already a place.
Speaker 4 (05:40):
That's on their radar that the GPS already has logged in.
Speaker 3 (05:45):
It's a wonderful fit.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
I love it. So let's talk about who's behind making
these neighborhood wellness centers come to life. How did this
come about?
Speaker 4 (05:54):
Well, this came along with the Michigan Department of Health
and Human Services.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
And you know, we were willing.
Speaker 4 (06:04):
Like I said, we were a testing center and because
we had a decent we had a pretty good response
in our area because we're out out, you know, outside Detroit,
and a lot of times everything is geared for Detroit,
rightfully so because it's the largest city, but there are
other communities that sometimes may not have the transportation to
(06:27):
go to Detroit.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
And so by us being with that, we were able
to partner.
Speaker 4 (06:34):
With Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to in
Wayne State and some other individuals to come together to
try to see what can we do to increase the
health outcomes and.
Speaker 3 (06:51):
Try to drain the health disparities. So give us an.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
Idea of some of the resources that people can find
at a neighborhood wellness center. What what are the services
that are offered?
Speaker 4 (07:03):
Well, the first thing I want to say is that
everything at the center is free ninety nine, which is
always great. There's no cost, there's no ID is needed,
there's no insurance, there's no appointments to receive service, no costs.
You just we're not asking to see ID any of the
(07:23):
things of nature. We just want to help the individual
so that we try to do what we can to
break down the barriers.
Speaker 3 (07:30):
But it includes preventative services.
Speaker 4 (07:34):
It includes access to NARCAN prevention education. It includes blood
pressure screening, diabetes screening, cholesterol screening, substance use disordered services.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
We have an on site community health worker.
Speaker 4 (07:55):
We have COVID nineteen and flu testing that's involved in.
We have crisis support including warming and cooling centers, UH
doing disaster.
Speaker 3 (08:07):
Response, and things of their nature.
Speaker 4 (08:08):
So there's a lot of different things that that comes along,
and that's.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
A part of what we're doing.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Wow.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
So these are a lot of services.
Speaker 4 (08:18):
And then if people have other services, if there's food
and security or things of the nature, these are all
things that is included because we have the community health worker.
So we basically want it to be like a Myers
fifty acres or what they call it Myer's novel back
and then when the first started aging myself, it was
Meyers fifty acre but to have a Myers where if
(08:40):
a person has any type of need, because a lot
of times the health disparities are signs.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
Of other issues and other problems.
Speaker 4 (08:52):
So to be able to definitely deal with the whole
picture of individual's health. This is why we you know,
because stress, of course is could be a part of
the fact a person has They don't have food security,
or they may not have home security, and so that
becomes stressful, may bring onto other diseases and things of
(09:13):
the nature.
Speaker 3 (09:14):
So we try to look at the whole person.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
Yeah, because those health problems are often you know, related
to other things that are going on. It's true, so
you know there are problems behind the problem that have
to be addressed. What who's eligible to benefit from your services?
Speaker 3 (09:31):
Who we were like, we're like the church. Whosoever will
let them come, love it. I love it.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
And and we had talked earlier that there are twenty
two neighborhood wellness center locations UH right across the area.
And what are what are what are the community health
workers who are involved with you.
Speaker 4 (09:55):
Well, part of what the asmonsibulit of community health workers
is they have community members identify social determinants of health needs,
like I say, food, transportation, housing, and we try to
their responsibility to link them to address those needs as
(10:19):
a resource center, so they could say, well, hey, you
know this is available for you. And this is because
a lot of times individuals are eligible for help, but
often they are unaware they are eligible for help, and
so there.
Speaker 3 (10:36):
Is a need that often goes on met not.
Speaker 4 (10:40):
Because there wasn't the capable abilities of meeting the need.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
The person in need didn't.
Speaker 4 (10:46):
Know that there was help available to them. So this
tries to bridge the gap so that those that's in
need of the services can take full advantage of the
services that exist the help.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
So the community health worker sounds like a really important
link in the whole picture for the individual.
Speaker 4 (11:08):
Yes, because they also offer health counseling, education services and
provides referrals to primary care providers, senior services and more.
Speaker 3 (11:20):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
So that's that's an super important role at neighborhood Wellness center.
Where where again, is your neighborhood wellness center? It's in Westland.
Speaker 4 (11:31):
In Westland, It's it's at two nine zero six six
Eaton Street in Westland.
Speaker 3 (11:38):
The nearest intersection.
Speaker 4 (11:41):
Where we're in between, we're off of Middle Belt on
Eaton Street between Van Born and Annneapolis.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
Okay, and remind us of the hours hours again.
Speaker 4 (11:53):
Yes, it's Tuesday and Thursday from nine am to five
pm and on Sunday at Sunday mornings from nine thirty
to one thirty pm.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
What's your favorite part about being involved in this program,
Doctor Duckworth.
Speaker 4 (12:09):
Being able to help people in the preventative stage, because
I just believe it's cheaper to change your oil than
it is your engine. And so to be able to
have people know their status, find out their status because
a lot of times people are particularly if you uninsured,
(12:30):
you're not quick. And that was really what got my
passion going into this health thing because I was working
with back in the day, there was an initiative call
covering the Uninsured Week, and I was part of the
church or the faith based component, and we had a
day where we did different things to bring awareness to
(12:55):
the fact of many that were uninsured. And so what
we've discovered is that when people are uninsured or under insured,
they sometimes will cut it out when it comes to
certain health disparities or health challenges or health issues, and
so by the time they receive help, sometimes had it
(13:19):
has increased exacerbated beyond a point where it.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
Could have been a simple fix. Now it becomes a
complex situation.
Speaker 4 (13:28):
And so being able to have individuals to come to
our church for not only spiritual healing, but for physical
healing is one of the things that really, you know,
it is one of the things I'm really proud about
the fact that it's there and people can come and
(13:48):
get help, you know, because of course, as the church,
people come to church anyway, but we're often limited in
our resources. But now this is like another foul cabinet
of other resources in other ways that we have people
designated they can help persons in need and still allow
(14:09):
us to do what we do, and we're in partnership.
So that's one of the things that really makes what
we do great and proud for me.
Speaker 2 (14:21):
I love that. So if you're listening, you're having some
health issues and you don't have resources for those health issues.
You know, one of twenty two locations you can go
to is Case seventy Missionary Baptist Church of Westland, and
they have health workers there, community health workers who their
job is to help you find resources to help you.
(14:42):
As doctor Duckworth said, be preventative, so that the health
issue that you might be concerned about isn't becoming as
he said, exacerbated or worse, but to get you the
resources you need. But it sounds like doctor duckworth not
just in health, but in all the things that might
be even affecting your health. Either it is UH freed
and security or resources for jobs or transportation or what
(15:05):
what other kinds of things have you seen that you've
helped folks with.
Speaker 4 (15:10):
Well, what that you know, it may be utilities, Oh, yes,
if they're dealing with you know, utility payments and things
of that nature. Being able to provide resources for our
seniors many you know, whether it's mills.
Speaker 3 (15:25):
On wheels or other type of UH.
Speaker 4 (15:28):
Senior UH entities that are out there to service our
seniors that many of the seniors may not know about
or care their caregiving children or grandchildren.
Speaker 3 (15:41):
Yes, you know. And then we also there's also a.
Speaker 4 (15:44):
Mental health component as well, and we know in this
state that mental health UH the resources of things that
drindled down when there was a change of governor some
time ago, and now we're dealing with the residuals and
the side effects of not taking care of and not
providing ample care for those with mental challenges in mental situations,
(16:10):
and so we want to include that as well because
we want people to have outlets and to get the.
Speaker 3 (16:17):
Help and service that they need.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
You know, you brought up a really interesting point there
about people who are caregivers, which is a huge job.
And boy, the resources that people need if you're a
caregiver for your parent or grandparent are so substantial. And
you help those folks too, Yes, that's great. What's the
(16:43):
process for new patients If somebody comes to the neighborhood
Wellness Center and they've never been to your center before,
what kinds of things will they experience? I mean you
had said there's no id check, there's no background kind
of things going on, So what would somebody expect to
have happen when if they showed up one one day?
Speaker 4 (17:01):
Show up, have a seat with the people that's going
to get the information and find out exactly what your
needs are.
Speaker 3 (17:09):
And then we have stations.
Speaker 4 (17:12):
Around our fellowship hall and they will direct you as
to what station rather you need all services because there
are multiple services also available, and so once you come
to the main person checking to get your information so
that they'll know how to communicate with you, find out
who you are and everything, and then based upon your need,
(17:33):
they will you will be directed to certain areas within
the within the church that will address your needs.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
So easy, very easy, very easy, and very welcoming. It
sounds like as well, exactly, that's great. So you know,
we're we're you know, we're going into different holiday seasons
and are there any tips or recommendations for our listeners
to protect their families, you know, to keep their health
(18:04):
a little more secure as they're around more people and
out and about more well.
Speaker 4 (18:10):
Of course, from a health perspective, there's always the encouragement
of vaccinations when possible, you know, for those that you
know do believe in it. If you don't, then definitely
you want to take the extra precautions, whether it's wearing
masks and crowds and things of that nature. Because we
did discover one of the things that's really talked about
(18:34):
is that when we had the mask mandates in their nature,
flu and other diseases were down tremendously.
Speaker 3 (18:43):
You know.
Speaker 4 (18:43):
Now, of course, you know, not everyone wants to live
their life that way, but my mom is eighty four
years old and she doesn't go anywhere with.
Speaker 3 (18:54):
By the mask.
Speaker 4 (18:54):
Now she's okay with it, and so there are some
people that are okay with it and they stay relative healthy,
you know, you know, definitely, you know, as things has
presented itself.
Speaker 3 (19:05):
But but yeah.
Speaker 4 (19:07):
So just taking the exprecaution on finding out, you know,
the status for COVID, things that, you know, things of
nature when there is a possibility of having different tests taken.
I get tested every week at the church. I get
tested be COVID because I'm always around people, and so
(19:30):
I want to make certain that if by a chance,
you know, I have received this from someone else, that
I don't spread it to someone else. So every Sunday
I'm tested because again, as as the leader, I believe
in leading by example, and so you know, I go
back there to the center and get things checked out
(19:53):
so that people will be encouraged to also get things
checked out. And our people did the ten our church
do fairly well. Our biggest challenge right now is getting
this information out so that individuals will know what's available
in their neighborhood. Because we truly are a neighborhood wellness center.
(20:19):
We just need people to take advantage of the neighborhood
wellness center.
Speaker 2 (20:24):
Right, And I'm sure if you know, you're one of
as we've said twenty two, if you google neighborhood Wellness
Centers center locations in Michigan or in the Detroit South
Southeast Detroit area, I bet there's a location that you
could find that you know, would would provide those resources
to you as well. Doctor duck Worth, you had mentioned
(20:45):
vaccinations and if somebody, if somebody is you know, supportive
of vaccinations, they want to get vaccinations, is your location
a place they can do that?
Speaker 4 (20:52):
Then well it was okay, Well, there's there's been some
you know, things have changed when it comes to vascinations.
Speaker 3 (21:01):
At one time you could, you know, you could get them.
Speaker 4 (21:05):
But I want to say earlier this year or towards
the end of last year, I noticed that things were different,
and they were different to the point that I had
a parishioner that was in the hospital and she was
(21:26):
fearful of getting COVID and so I was visiting her
and we called the nurses like, hey, we would like
to get her vaccinated. They no longer had the vaccine
in the hospital. Wow, so hospitals no longer have them.
Everything is being sent to pharmacies. So of course, you
(21:48):
know there's you know, reasons for that which we're all
aware of. So we're hoping that if that's available, I
would love for it to be available back again at
our church, but we just are not certain right now
because particularly COVID vaccine, and I'm not certain about the flu.
Speaker 3 (22:08):
I know, sometimes we'll have a flu truck come.
Speaker 4 (22:10):
Out and we have it set up where people can
come and get the flu shot, you know, at the
church in one of the little mobile units that comes out,
you know, with that. So, like I said, we partner
with so many different partners around the health issue where
we've been able to get help for individuals. But so
(22:32):
right now, as far as the COVID vaccine is concerned,
I'm just not certain yet. But I'm always inquiring if
that's the case, so that you know, we could also
let that be known that we're having that. But like
I said, right now, everything seems to be geared towards pharmacies.
Speaker 2 (22:49):
Okay, So the good news is is you have, you know,
you have, like you said, these community health workers who
will provide resources and can tell you where you need
to go. It might be with any missionary Baptist church
or it might not be. But if you give a
call to UH, to the church, they can tell you
whether they have that resource and if not, the good
(23:09):
news is you have community health workers that can put
you in touch with whomever you need to either get
your vaccinations or or whatever else you might need to
keep you healthy. All they have to do is give
a call. Do you have that number? Handy? By chance?
Speaker 4 (23:23):
Chore it's UH seventh three four seven one two five
five seven.
Speaker 2 (23:29):
Can I get that from you one more time? In
case somebody just get their pen out and they're.
Speaker 4 (23:34):
Trying to get four seven four seven one two five
five seven.
Speaker 2 (23:41):
Five five seven, all right, write in that town. Let
me ask you what is the what is the ultimate
goal of the Neighborhood Wellness Centers? You know, I understand
that it's a partnership with the Michigan Department of Health
and Human Services, and you want to provide resources. What's
the ultimate goal of the neighborhood Wellness centers?
Speaker 3 (24:00):
Health?
Speaker 4 (24:02):
That's that's the ultimate goal, better health, preventing things that
are preventable, treating things that are treatable, and the health
disparities going down that was exposed during the pandemic.
Speaker 3 (24:19):
So that's that's the ultimate goal of the wellness center.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
And why did you specifically decide to be a host site.
Speaker 4 (24:29):
Because again my passion for health and the fact that
our location is a location that's outside the city of
Detroit right.
Speaker 3 (24:42):
Next to Inkster, so we're in a We're in a
good location.
Speaker 4 (24:46):
And the one is that definitely makes certain that you
know we provide because I just believe not only in
salvation for your soul, but I also believe in liberation
for your life.
Speaker 3 (24:57):
So I want our church to be a full rounded
church where it's like a Myers.
Speaker 4 (25:04):
Again, that's the analogy I like to use, where whatever
your need is, we can provide that for you or
at least give you information to help you out to
get with your seeking.
Speaker 2 (25:17):
I love it is there are there any other events
or any other things coming out that you want people
to know about that are taking place at Kaseemiti Missionary
Baptist Church with regard to the neighborhood wellness centers or
any activities or anything else that we're missing.
Speaker 4 (25:32):
Well, we have the centers which will be you know,
of course, we'll probably we don't know if we're gonna
have it on Tuesday because of the election upcoming, and
we probably won't have it Thanksgiving.
Speaker 3 (25:47):
We probably won't have a Thanksgiving Day.
Speaker 4 (25:49):
But outside of holidays and inter nature, we're just something
that we just got going every week. Really nothing special
that's connected to the world.
Speaker 3 (26:00):
The center then you know.
Speaker 4 (26:02):
The things that we generally try to do like this,
This upcoming Thursday, which is Halloween, we have a chunk
of treat that takes place in the parking lot of
our church, and it happens to also be on a
Thursday in which the Neighborhood Center will be open and
operating during their time.
Speaker 3 (26:21):
So perhaps if.
Speaker 4 (26:22):
People could come early, they could while they're there for
the candy, they can get checked out.
Speaker 2 (26:29):
I love it too, for so they.
Speaker 3 (26:32):
Can get a real treat, right, I love it.
Speaker 2 (26:37):
Doctor Duckworth. Thank you for the work that you're doing
as as a neighborhood wellness center, helping people out, helping
them with prepentitive medicine, especially in the underserved communities who
need UH need more resources and services to help them
be as healthy as everybody should be. Everybody has those
UH has the right to be healthy, and so thank
(26:59):
you for everything you're doing to help the community. Doctor Duckworth.
What would you say you want to have happened with
your specific wellness center.
Speaker 3 (27:07):
You know this helps you know, get that word out.
This is the challenge we have now.
Speaker 4 (27:11):
We have people ready, but we don't have enough people
to my satisfaction coming through.
Speaker 3 (27:16):
I would like to see people there every day. I
would like to see.
Speaker 4 (27:20):
People almost waiting on us to open and begging us
to keep to stay open longer.
Speaker 3 (27:25):
That would be the dream scenario, but realistically so that
people are taking.
Speaker 4 (27:32):
Advantage that we've had few but we haven't had the
amount that makes me happy.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
Our guest today has been doctor John Duckworth. He's the
pastor of guest seventy Missionary Baptist Church of Westland, which
is one of the Michigan Department of Health and Human
Services neighborhood Wellness centers. And if you need more information
on that, I'm just gonna remind you can call seven
three four seven two one two five five seven. That's
(27:59):
seven three four seven two one two five five seven.
People are there ready to help you with resources or
connect you to resources to help ensure that you have
a healthy life, that you have the resources you need
to lead a healthy life. And thank you again, doctor
dock Worth for joining us today. Really appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (28:19):
Thank you, and have a blessed holiday season you too.
Speaker 1 (28:24):
This has been light Up the D, a community affairs
program from iHeartMedia Detroit. If your organization would like to
get on the program, email Colleen Grant at iHeartMedia dot com.
Here are all episodes on this station's podcast page.
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