WeARE Advocates for Reproductive Education and volunteers have been busy getting their new clinic space ready for a fall 2017 opening.
Katherine Brown of Detroit, Emma McCauley of Chicago and Kathryn Baxter of Baltimore, all University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service graduates, traveled to Brainerd to take part in 24-hour cleanup day to help renovate the WeARE The Clinic space. They painted, cleaned and planted perennials at the new clinic site.
"The enthusiasm of these smart, energetic young women really gave us all a boost," stated Sue Hadland, nurse practitioner, and WeARE board member, in a news release.
"These women are amazing public servants," stated Becky Twamley, executive director of WeARE, in the release. "They drove all day to get here from Chicago, worked a long day at the new clinic site and spent the next day driving back. Their commitment to nonprofit and public service work is an inspiration for me."
Currently, these recent graduates are employed in various areas of the public sector, but their commitment to reproductive health issues brought them to Brainerd, if only for a short visit, the release stated. Baxter said the group planned to return for the grand opening.
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"This is important work and we wouldn't miss it for anything," stated Baxter in the release.
The Clinton School of Public Service was the first school in the nation to offer a Master of Public Service degree with the intent to provide experience and knowledge to further careers in the areas of nonprofit, governmental, volunteer or private sector service.
The clinic will be located on James Street in Brainerd and will initially have clinic hours two afternoons a week. While focusing on the underserved population of youths and young adults, no one will be turned away, WeARE stated in the release.
