Stephens County Volunteers Help Care Center Flourish

The Compassion Care Center, located in Duncan, is the brainchild of Duncan physician Dr. Kent King in conjunction with the Chisholm Trail Church of Christ. Dr. King moved to Duncan in 1989 and realized there were many people in the area without a primary health care provider. Sometimes this was the result of recent move-ins who were unable to find physicians taking new patients. Other times it was the result of insurance changes. Whatever the cause, Dr. King decided to provide medical services to those in need in his community.

From its humble beginnings in 1993, the Compassion Care Center has grown to a community-wide, multi-service provider. When two churches merged, leaving one empty building, the Compassion Care Center moved in. The auditorium of the empty church now houses a food bank on Wednesday mornings and a goodwill clothes closet on Wednesday afternoons.

However, Thursday evenings are “clinic evenings.” Attorneys provide free legal advice, a local beautician cuts hair and an eye doctor offers eye exams. Of course, the medical clinic is still in existence, and an array of physicians volunteer their time. A minimum of two physicians are on hand to conduct examinations and dispense non-narcotic medicines. The Duncan Pizza Hut has even donated pizzas for all the volunteer service providers who are unable to grab dinner before heading to the care center on Thursday nights.

FREE LEGAL ADVICE EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT

Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma worked with Duncan attorney Ron Corley to initiate attorney involvement at the Compassion Care Center in 1997. Now, 20 Stephens County attorneys, on a rotating basis, staff the legal portion of the clinic every Thursday evening. There is also a phone line and answering machine for messages.

Each Thursday evening, the volunteer attorney will visit with anyone who has a legal problem and also returns all phone messages left on the answering machine. Anywhere between seven to 12 individuals may be helped per week. Since Stephens County attorneys began volunteering their time, 805 clients have been helped through the clinic.

“Primarily, the volunteer attorneys answer legal questions and provide brief legal advice,” said Corley. “If a case needs some follow up, then the individual is referred to the Lawton office of Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma.”

“This is a way for me to give back to the community after everything that Stephens County has given to me,” said Duncan attorney Kent Sullivan. “And I think that is why all the attorneys volunteer there. The people we help are good people. They are not looking to circumvent the system. They just need help, and we as attorneys are in a position to help.”

If you know of other organizations or individuals like these Stephens County attorneys who have discovered unique ways to contribute to their community and provide pro bono services, please let us know. Submissions should be forwarded to: probono@okbar.org or Pro Bono Services Subcommittee, c/o Heidi J. Long, 204 N. Robinson, Suite 1550, Oklahoma City, OK 73102.