Alternative Healthcare Access Campaign (AHAC), a nonprofit organization that advocates for and provides alternative healthcare services to homeless and low-income people in King County, seeks steering committee members. Our organizational goals are to:
1. Develop and fund programs that deliver alternative healthcare to homeless and low-income people.
2. Provide information and support to practitioners, activists, members of the homeless and low-income communities, and others who share our mission of increasing access to alternative care.
3. Compile and track research on the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of alternative healthcare, especially as it is used by homeless and low-income people.
4. Advocate for governmental and institutional policies that broaden access to alternative healthcare.
We believe that access to quality healthcare is a basic human right, not a privilege that may be limited or denied because of economic status. We believe that "alternative" medicine (either alone or in combination with conventional treatment) is often the optimal healthcare choice, and that some people will find relief from serious illnesses only through alternative therapies. We support the right of homeless and low-income people to choose the type of healthcare they utilize and to participate in the creation of programs and policies that affect their access to services.
Since October 2000, we have provided healthcare services by licensed practitioners (naturopathic doctors, acupuncturists and massage therapists) on a weekly basis. Over 4000 treatments have been provided to 1500 patients, 47% of whom have returned for further treatment. We currently offer these clinical services at 6 sites in the King County area, incuding Tent City, Compass Cascade Women's Center, Angeline's Day Center for Homeless Women, Frye Apartments, Roots Young Adult Center. and Peace for the Streets by Kids from the Streets. We have also been soliciting funds and inkind donations to support our services.
The AHAC Steering Committee serves to provide executive oversight of the organization. The Committee is responsible for managing the day-to-day administrative duties of the organization, as well as for keeping AHAC financially stable. The membership of this committee is open to any person interested in supporting AHAC's mission. We are currently seeking self-motivated individuals who are dedicated to the purpose of AHAC and who can contribute organizational, fundraising, business, outreach, advocacy, or grant writing skills, as well as playing an active role in creating an efficient and effective infrastructure. The steering committee meets on a monthly basis; and works with both other volunteers and our administrative work-study students. There are usually 6-10 hours/month of AHAC duties, and members need to be readily available by phone or email. A one-year commitment is requested
Ideally, we are looking for other alternative medical practitioners, human service professionals or folks with political advocacy experience with homelessness & poverty issues, although all serious applications will be considered.
Please contact us with a statement of your particular interest & skills. By mail:
AHAC
PO Box 45364
Seattle, WA 98145-0364
By email:
AHACseattle@gmail.com
