In honor of National Community Health Center Week (Aug. 9-15), Tri-County Community Health Center in Spivey’s Corner is pulling out all the stops, including visits by two area congressmen (Mike McIntyre and Bob Etheridge) and celebrations by staff and board members.

On Monday, Congressman McIntyre paid a visit to the Tri-County Community Health Center in Spivey’s Corner to accept the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) SuperHero award for all of his support.

The award recognizes McIntyre’s outstanding leadership in expanding health care access to millions of uninsured and medically underserved Americans. The award is given each year to members of Congress who have worked to successfully increase the number of community, migrant, public housing and homeless health centers around the country that provide quality health care to medically uninsured and underserved people.

“It is very important to us that he is here today,” said Pam Tripp, TCCHC board member. “He is being honored as a SuperHero of the community health system. We cannot do what we do without the support in Washington. People don’t realize that we are out here serving not only the medical needs, but the dental needs and mental health needs as well. We serve all people, all populations, and reach them on all levels. Without the support of people like Congressman McIntyre, we couldn’t do it.”

As McIntyre took to the podium, he was greeted with a hug by Tripp.

“Thank you,” the congressman said to the standing ovation of roughly 30 people in attendance. “I have always enjoyed coming here to Tri-County Community Health Center and I am pleased to be with you today. The great reformer John Wesley once said, and it applies to all of us, ‘to minister and help people in need’ and that is what you all are doing here at this community health center. He said that ‘We should do all the good that you can do by all the means that you can, and all the ways you can and all the places you can and all the times that you can — as long as you can’ — I think that really epitomizes the mission statement of Tri-County Community Health Center. Because you have been doing just that ... I want to thank you for fulfilling what those comments stated long ago by John Wesley. I think that you hit it right on the head with the work you do. Here, and all the locations in the system, are making a change in people’s lives because you are doing all the good you can, all the ways you can and all the places you can.

“These are our tax dollars working to improve the quality of life right now — we are not waiting for Washington, this is happening right now,” continued McIntyre. “You are at the forefront of setting the example of ways to reach out and improve the quaility and accessability of health care. I can’t think of a better way to begin this week than to be celebrating it here with you today, and the example that you have set for giving high-quality, cost-effective health care to all people and to make sure that health care is accessible to everyone who needs it.”

McIntyre was then given the SuperHero award by Tripp and TCCHC board chairman Johnson Tilghman.

“I want to say thank you for this honor,” said McIntyre. “You have been in the trenches; this award is really one that I only have because I share it with you because of the vision and the work that you all do. You are the ones out there every day meeting the needs of families.”

Tripp said it was her honor to give the award to the congressman.

“He has been here supporting us, not only in eastern North Carolina, but all over the United States,” said Tripp. Without that leadership, without that support in Washington, we could not provide these needed services. Congressmen McIntyre understands the needs of eastern North Carolinians; he understands what it is like to walk in our shoes — not everyone does in Washington, so we have a really good ambassador for us. We thank him for his presence and for what he has done here for us.”

An addict’s story

While the presence of McIntrye had everyone abuzz, the unexpected highlight of the event was a brave woman dressed in plaid shorts, a blue shirt and sandals who appeared just after McIntyre’s presentation.

Wendy Grajeda stepped up to the microphone and bravely shared her testimony about how she abused crack cocaine and how she is now getting the help she needed to battle the addiction because Tri-County Community Health Center was willing to reach out to help her.

“My drug of choice was crack cocaine,” she said to the silenced audience, “I wish it had not been. But it is the story of my life ... I used to live in Rockfish, but once I started using I was unable to pay my house payment, I no longer have my two children to live with me ... because of drugs. I lost everything and I quickly found out that nobody wanted anything to do with a crack head and I understand that, so I went back to Iowa with my mother. But I loved North Carolina, so I made my way back.”

Grajeda contined to tell how she was going to classes to help her stay clean before she had a relapse.

“My child came to visit me from Florida,” she said. “And we had a good time until he wanted to go visit one of his friends. While he was visiting, I went to visit one of my ‘friends.’ It wasn’t long before I was taking a hit ... One hit off a crack stem and everything changed once again. I tried to get back into rehab, but no one wanted me. No one wanted to give me another chance except Harvest House here ... They reached out to me with open arms. Too much time at home is bad for Wendy, but the friendships and caring that they have here is just incredible. I really enjoy being here. I like to call it ‘school’ and it has changed my life — I am happy to be here and it makes my life happy now. I just want to thank you for all the support.”

Grajeda has now been clean for 62 days.

“These health centers are about giving hope, a place where individuals and families can come to get the heath care they need,” McIntyre said in his speech.

And no one brought that point home more than a brave woman in sandals.

For more information on any of the programs at Tri-County Community Health Center call 910-567-6194.

To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 123 or send e-mail to sisports@myclintonnc.com.