Jessie Beaver, SSVF Health Care Navigator
As the SSVF Health Navigator, my role is to connect Veterans to VA medical services, or, if they do not qualify for those services, to community clinics such as Dale Fell Health Center and Minnie Jones Health Center.
My work supports Homeward Bound’s SSVF program by relieving some of the healthcare responsibilities from Case Managers, allowing them to focus more on housing and economic viability. It provides another support person to the Veteran who can help them navigate the health care system with ease!
Do you have an experience with a client or your team that has stuck with you?
I work a lot with Dental Life Network, an organization based out of Charlotte that helps Veterans get their dental work done for free. When you think of Veteran healthcare, you would think those with medical services would also receive dental care, but that’s not the case.
A lot of our Veterans, whether they receive VA health care or not, have not been seen by a dentist in a very long time. In my years at Homeward Bound, we have successfully gotten 3 Veterans’ teeth completely removed and FREE dentures put in. This is not a short process, and to see it come into fruition is truly a miracle and a blessing to watch.
Those memories of seeing clients with a beautiful new set of teeth will stay with me forever.
What motivated you to work at Homeward Bound, and what keeps you going?
What motivated me to start working with Homeward Bound was how much I heard and saw their name in the community. I worked with the unhoused population for 2 years before this role, and when I would talk with a Case Manager or a Housing Specialist, they were always affiliated with Homeward Bound.
I could see the change they were making in the community, and I wanted to be a part of that. When I first started, I didn’t have a lot of knowledge about the healthcare system, but over the years I have seen why people get frustrated and stop going to doctors because of the barriers that are set in place.
I hope to give some relief in that area by helping Veterans stay organized and on top of their health care appointments and journey so they can have the best quality of life possible!
