Our mission is to respond to the physical and spiritual needs of the Hispanic community in southern Chester County, Pennsylvania. We focus on helping Spanish speaking families identify health needs and obtain medical care for high-risk pregnant women and sick babies and children who live in the area from Kennett Square to Oxford, PA.
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The Spanish Health Ministry of the Koinonia Christian Ministries Director: Dona Sensenig, RN BSN (610) 444-3001 |
Dona Sensenig and Bonnie Martin |
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health evaluation and teaching in areas needed by the patient and family
assist the family with making appointments and coordinating medical services with hospitals, doctors' offices, and other social service agencies
translation and interpretation of medical information
counseling and support for crisis pregnancy, post-abortion stress, parents with a chronically ill or dying child, and support to parents after the death of a child
advocate for families in the insurance area and assist them with knowing what financial help is available
provide private transportation to medical appointments when public transportation is not available
provide material donations of layette items for newborns and referrals to other agencies for household items
Tweny-five years ago Dona Sensenig, a bilingual public health nurse, and Bonnie Martin, a Spanish teacher, were part of a monthly prayer meeting for our growing Spanish speaking community. At the invitation of Rod and Ruthann Brooks, founders of the Koinonia Church, and with the support of local churches, Dona quit her job in order to work full-time with the Hispanic community in southern Chester county, Pennsylvania.
Dona began the Spanish Health Ministry in the Koinonia House, under the auspices of the Koinonia Christian Ministries, a non-profit organization. Bonnie was her first volunteer. The goal was to help Spanish speaking pregnant women and the children obtain appropriate health care and to minister to their spiritual needs. The ministry has grown over the years and now includes several part-time employees as well as a number of volunteers.
The Spanish Health Ministry is a faith ministry, totally dependent on the gifts of God's people for its financial support. It has been guided since its inception by an advisory board of local Christians who meet monthly with Dona and volunteer with the ministry in various ways.