HEALTH CARE
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Treasure Coast Medical Report
seek advice for anger management, co-dependence
and depression among other issues. When clients are
referred to VIM, they receive an hour-long physical
by a primary care doctor for background, blood work,
diagnostic testing and referrals to specialists.
Bryan Boukat worked as an electrician for defense
contractor United Technologies in Connecticut before
he came to Florida to take care of his elderly parents.
They both became ill and died, leaving him with their
medical bills and homeless. In August he was living in
a tent, working as a day laborer, looking to put a roof
over his head. “I couldn’t survive without LAHIA,”
says Boukat, who volunteers at the center. “I can’t find
anyone who wants to hire a 61-year-old electrician to
work outside in the Florida heat. It is an experience living
in the woods.”
MIND, BODY AND SOUL
LAHIA was patterned and inspired by The Source in
Vero Beach, which has been serving the homeless for 25
years. Seven days a week, 200 meals a day are provided,
breakfast, lunch and dinner. The homeless are fed in
a small building at the end of an industrial street. The
facility also has laundry services and showers.
“The hospitals waive the fees for homeless people, but
you won’t get surgery,” says Anthony Zorbaugh, executive
director for The Source. “Individuals must pay for
prescriptions, and churches and other community nonprofits
help pay for medications when they can. We also
transport people to medical appointments. We partner
with the Indian River County Health Department to give >>
Client volunteer Bill Boukat offers up a box of different reading glasses for
people to find a pair that suits their vision. Boukat is an electrician by trade.
/www.premier-therapy.com