Meeting Adversity With Hope

Adventist Health Sonora’s Project HOPE is emerging as an important tool in addressing the health risks associated with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

Pediatricians at Adventist Health Sonora, an ACEs Aware pioneer site, use a questionnaire to screen children for stressful experiences, including abuse, violence, deprivation, discrimination, and insecurity. These experiences “are strongly associated…with some of the most common, serious, and costly health conditions,” according to acesaware.org. When stressors are identified, pediatricians can take steps to help prevent and treat the physical and mental effects of these adverse experiences.

Heather Montgomery is a single mother of two whose daughter, Sabreena, was screened for ACEs. The family was experiencing financial hardship on top of the stress of dealing with Sabreena’s health challenges and other difficulties.

“I didn’t have enough food,” said Heather, who participated in a Welfare-to-Work Program while attending college. Pediatrician Devanie Teel, MD, referred the family to Project HOPE for grocery-store gift cards.

Project HOPE (short for Health, Outreach, Prevention and Education) is a charitable fund that assists people who are experiencing a financial crisis. Project HOPE again helped Heather when she faced insurmountable utility bills.

“I cannot express how thankful I am for [Project HOPE’s] help,” said Heather. “If Dr. Teel hadn’t referred me…I’d be out on the street.”

Would you like to help families like Heather’s? Support Project HOPE.