Volunteers In Medicine in Schuylkill & Carbon Counties

05/15/2026

The Community HeARTbeat Initiative: Nurturing Health, Inspiring Hope
Our Vision
At Volunteers in Medicine (VIM), we believe that true healing goes beyond the doctor’s office. We are embarking on an ambitious five-year capital campaign to build a revolutionary multi-service center—a community hub where world-class healthcare meets the transformative power of creative expression.
To catalyze this future vision, we are moving our headquarters to a spacious, 8,000-square-foot facility at 1 S. 2nd St. Pottsville, PA. This new home will allow us to expand our core medical, dental, and behavioral health programs while introducing an innovative, dedicated Arts Wing.
Where Healing Meets Creativity
Our specialized Arts Wing is designed to combat loneliness, reduce anxiety, and build community through shared creative experiences:
• Community Gallery: Amplifying the voices and talents of local, underserved creators.
• Creative Workshops: Hands-on spaces for pottery, textile arts, and digital media creation.
• Performance Space: A stage for local musicians, theatrical artists, and civic town halls.
• Healing Arts Studio: A peaceful environment for guided meditation and therapeutic art sessions.
Our Collective Impact
The Community HeARTbeat Initiative will transform thousands of local lives annually. By bridging physical medicine with emotional well-being under one roof, we are building a safer, healthier, and more vibrant community for everyone.


OUR COALITION

• Food Pantry• J.W. Cooper Community Center: Feeding over 1,500 neighbors monthly.
• Block of Art & Allied Artists Art Organizations dedicated to local artist support, visual arts education and community revitalization through public art.
• H.E.L.P. Providing essential medical equipment at no cost.
• Bridges of Support: Navigating systemic and language barriers.

This initiative moves beyond prescriptions to provide purpose. By offering integrated care, we aim to reduce hospital readmissions, decrease mental health crises, and foster a more connected, resilient community.
"Our goal is to raise $600,000 in the next 5 years to build/renovate a building. We hope to use DCED Grants to do so. Donations can be as low as $5,000 and can be reimbursed up to 95% for this project. Your contribution will directly fund this project as well as our ongoing operations. Join us in building a healthier community through the following sponsorship tiers..."

Fundraiser Donors Levels
● Bronze / Supporting ($250 – $1,000): • Benefits: Logo on the website, a social media shout-out, and names listed in the event program. 2–4 complimentary tickets, at our Annual Gala
● Silver ($1,000 – $5,000) Benefits: All previous perks plus a larger logo on event signage, 2–6 complimentary tickets, at our Annual Gala and verbal recognition during the event.
● Gold ($5,000 – $15,000): All previous perks plus a larger logo on event signage, 4–8 complimentary tickets at our Annual Gala, and verbal recognition during the event.
● Platinum / Presenting ($15,000 – $50,000+): The highest level of exclusivity. • Benefits: "Naming rights" (e.g., The Community Gala, presented by [Company Name]). This usually includes a speaking opportunity, top billing on all media, and exclusive branding on the most visible event assets. 4–8 complimentary tickets at our Annual Gala,
● Supporter $ 100 -$250 and below • Benefits: Premium logo placement (e.g., on t-shirts or step-and-repeats), a full-page ad in the program, a dedicated VIP table, and the ability to include promotional items in "swag bags." 1 free ticket at our annual Gala in October

Join The Coalition for a Night of Music & Fun!
The Coalition is excited to host a Meet and Greet Reception for our Donors on June 20th at The Pottsville Zone. Join us from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM for an evening featuring live performances by “special Musical Guests” Dale and The Legends and The Strum Brothers.

We will provide delicious appetizers, and a cash bar will be available throughout the night. Don’t miss your chance to win big with our 50/50 drawing and a special raffle for two Phillies Box Seats (a $500 value!), for our guests to be a part of.
Invest in the Future of Healthcare and the Arts.

We are redefining wellness by integrating art and community into patient care. By supporting The Community HeARTbeat Initiative, you are helping us prove that this revolutionary model works.

I invite you to reach out so we can discuss your goals for giving and the impact of your generosity. You can reach me directly at 570-617-4620.
Sincerely,
Bob Alonge,

04/20/2026

04/12/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/18k3KTFMgj/?mibextid=wwXIfr

04/02/2026

FYI,

Good afternoon Schuylkill County (and neighboring) partners in care!

Our April updates includes some reminders and additional opportunities for you and your network. Through our HRSA Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome program, we are pleased to continue offering high-quality, no-cost training opportunities to our rural health partners. We still have a few doula trainings through the International Doula Institute. For those interested, the training registration will be paid for by the NAS grant and upon completion, providers are eligible for a $1,000 stipend per course completion. There are two courses available, the Birth Doula Certification and the Postpartum Doula Certification. This training opportunity is open to individuals interested in becoming a doula who live or work in Schuylkill County. I do have several spots available for neighboring counties, please have interested folks email me to verify eligibility. Only one course may be completed at a time; upon completion of a course, the other one may be taken. (This is for the self-paced curriculum.) As you share this information, please encourage individuals to review the qualifications for certification on the International Doula Institute website as well as continuing education requirements.

We've had over 60 individuals register for the PESI Mental Health Specialist training thanks to your help in sharing the information! There are still spots available for individuals to complete the PESI Women’s Mental Health Specialist Certificate training. Upon completion, individuals are eligible to receive a stipend of $2,000. This program is open to prescribers, probation/parole staff, CYS staff, therapists, social workers, nurses, and case managers. There is no need to purchase courses up front, rather email me if you or your team is interested and I'll get you started.

In addition to the doula and mental health certificate offerings, I am excited to welcome back international speaker, Jennifer Storm, to Schuylkill County on Wednesday, May 13. She will be presenting Resilience in the Face of Trauma Work at Penn State Schuylkill; this event is free, but you'll have to register ahead of time as seating is limited.

If you have not already, please take a moment to complete the 2026 Family Health Needs Assessment Survey from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

We also have FREE Red Cross First Aid/CPR training available. This training is via the Red Cross website, free of charge to participants. Upon completion, participants will not only receive their certification, but also a first aid kit, developed by the Life Safety Pro. If you or clients are interested, please send an email my way or complete the NAS program referral via pacounseling.com/referrals. Flyers for both the first aid training and our free case management services are attached.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend, travel safe, and enjoy the spring weather!

Sincerely,
Susan

Susan Wright, MPA
Pennsylvania Counseling Services
717-304-7088

Easily refer someone to mental health or recovery services. We help individuals and families connect with the support they need.

03/31/2026

VIM and The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development 2026

We are seeking businesses to commit $5,000 and above per year and receive a 75% to 95% tax credit in return, depending on the program and length of commitment.

In the next few weeks, with the support and endorsement of our county’s, state and federal political officials, Volunteers in Medicine will be applying for Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Grants to better help the communities in Schuylkill County that we are already serving. Specifically, The Neighborhood Assistance Program Tax Credit (NAP), the Special Program Priorities (SPP), and the Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP).

The goals of NAP are to provide resources to assist neighborhoods and communities with fiscal difficulties, encourage positive health outcomes, and address the safety and welfare of their residents.

As a result, NAP encourages communities to pursue and achieve fiscal well-being and self-sufficiency.

The goals of the Programs are to promote community participation and collaborations among the residents, nonprofits and businesses while producing outcomes by assisting a distressed area or the low-income population in a neighborhood.

Our organization provides vital healthcare services to the Pottsville community, yet our ability to sustain this mission is currently hindered by significant infrastructural instability.
The Problem: Housing Instability Currently, the Schuylkill Community Coalition(SCC) • VIM: High-quality healthcare for the uninsured. • The Beverly Mattson Memorial Food Bank: Feeding over 1,500 neighbors monthly. • H.E.L.P.: Providing essential medical equipment at no cost. • Bridges of Support: Navigating systemic and language barriers. • Allied Artists & Block of Art: lacks a permanent headquarters, and the VIM Clinic operates out of a facility that is slated to be sold.
While we have secured a two-year lease, this is a temporary bandage on a long-term problem. Without a permanent home, our ability to provide consistent, high-quality care to our neighbors is at risk.
The Solution A Five-Year Vision: We have developed a comprehensive five-year strategic plan to acquire and either build or renovate a dedicated facility. This building will serve as the permanent home for both VIM and the Coalition, ensuring healthcare equity and social support services remain anchored in Pottsville for decades to come.

The Proposal: Initializing the Plan We are requesting SPP Grant funding to transition our project from the planning phase to ex*****on. The first year of funding will be utilized to: • Professionalize Leadership: Transition the VIM CEO role from a volunteer position to a paid Part-Time or Full-Time position to oversee this large-scale capital project. • Expert Consultation: Hire a part-time consultant specializing in non-profit infrastructure to navigate the complexities of property acquisition and development. • Operational Milestones: * Identify and secure a suitable property within city limits. • Develop a comprehensive project budget and architectural feasibility study. • Launch Phase 1 of construction/renovation using initial grant disbursements.
Long-Term Sustainability Following the first year of the SPP Grant, we will utilize subsequent funding (years two through five) to complete the physical project. By securing a permanent location, we will eliminate the burden of rent and the threat of displacement, allowing 100% of our future fundraising to be reinvested directly into patient care and community programs. We look forward to the opportunity to discuss how this investment will not only stabilize VIM and the Coalition but also contribute to the revitalization of the City of Pottsville.



VIM will be focusing on the following projects.

Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP) Projects are designed to improve access to job and economic opportunities, quality education, affordable housing, quality-of-life amenities, and other key factors in building healthy communities.

Special Program Priorities (SPP)

Projects in this category must demonstrate a significant impact on specific needs in a distressed area(s) and are based on collaborations, partnerships, and goals. VIM’s multiple Clinic sites, will spur community economic development because of the jobs we will add, deal with diversity issues in rural settings, while addressing the needed supportive services for vulnerable and at risk populations. We will work with Veteran’s groups, as needed to help veterans’ initiatives and work with existing health care systems to integrate health and housing initiatives. If we are able to purchase our own building, we will even be able to help with blight elimination.
Eligible applicants can receive 90% -95% Tax Credit



Eligible NAP Project Activities

VIM will be seeking businesses to partner with us monetarily and by donating: Financial assistance, labor, material, or technical advice, pre-development, land acquisition, site control, title clearance, market studies, environmental costs, energy conservation and “green” building services, design services, legal, and other technical assistance services.
Our projects certainly will address Community Economic Development with activities that revitalize or stabilize distressed areas, through one or more of the following: (1) The construction or rehabilitation of commercial or industrial buildings, The removal or elimination of physical blight, (2) Increased access to job training, employment opportunities, education, and community services opportunities, (3) Crime and violence prevention within the designated area, or (4) Community Services: Services such as counseling, case management services, and advisory services, emergency assistance, food assistance, or medical care furnished to individuals or groups in a distressed area intended to stabilize or revitalize the area.

Projects or services that address the decline of a neighborhood or the needs of a vulnerable population and have primary or secondary benefits to the stabilization of a distressed area, will be a focus in everything we do.

The Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP) component of NAP is rooted in a community strategic plan, collaborations with partners, and long-term business relationships. The NPP is expected to create energy in the community by completing projects based on specific development needs in a targeted area that produce measurable outcomes. NPP is a long-term program that secures business commitments for five (5) years or longer. We are seeking businesses to commit $5,000 to $50,000 and more per year and receive a 90%- 95% tax credit in return.



NPP Specific Application Requirements

VIM will establish “Neighborhood Partnership Advisory Committees” that include representatives from the contributors and NPP area stakeholders such as members of the applicant, subcontractors, government representatives, other organizations related to the NPP, and residents. b. The committee is expected to:
• Assist with the initial and subsequent planning of the NPP • Provide ongoing input to the neighborhood organization applying for and carrying out the NPP project
• Meet at least quarterly to discuss the progress of the project, any issues that arise, and to relay and update information about the community.

Commonly Asked Questions

1. When is the applications deadline? Application window has not opened yet, but deadline will be May 29th.
2. Do all Commitments need to be above 50k? No, deductions can be 5k – 500,000
3. Will tax credit deductions be for STATE deductions only? Yes they are state tax credits
4. Can you apply for more than 1 Grant? Yes, you can apply for other DCED grants if you are eligible, but this particular one is a tax credit program that involves contributors partnering with your organization. You can only apply for one NAP grant.


Interested businesses should direct inquires to Robert Alonge, CEO at bobalonge@gmail.com or call him directly at 570-617-4620.

01/24/2026

Hey folks, we just want to give you a heads up that we will be closed on Monday but we will be open on Tuesday and accepting patients for the afternoon. We will still have the HIV Clinic at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday. Please remember to reserve your spot between 11:00 and 1:00 p.m.

01/14/2026

There are important resources available in Schuylkill and Carbon Counties for people who do not have access to medical services..

Volunteers In Medicine in Schuylkill & Carbon Counties is a non-profit clinic offering free primary health care to adults who live or work in the area and do not have adequate health insurance.

This Thursday, January 22, we will be pleased to host Bob Alonge CEO of Volunteers in Medicine, who will share more about the services they offer and how they support our community.

FRATELLOS BISTRO
420 Nichols St
Pottsville PA 17901
5:00PM - 7:00PM

***In Schuylkill and Carbon Counties, there are important resources for individuals who lack access to medical care.

Volunteers in Medicine is a nonprofit clinic providing free primary healthcare to adults who live or work in the area and do not have adequate health insurance.

This Thursday, January 22, we’re honored to welcome Bob Alonge, CEO of Volunteers in Medicine, who will share more about their services and how they support our community.

FRATELLOS BISTRO
420 Nichols St
Pottsville PA 17901
5:00PM - 7:00PM

01/06/2026

The Community HeARTbeat Initiative

The Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) model is founded on the principle of holistic care, treating the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. We are launching a vital capital campaign to establish a first-of-its-kind multi-service center that expands our impact beyond the clinic, creating a true community hub. This new facility will seamlessly blend essential medical and social services with dedicated, accessible arts programming designed to foster healing, connection, and social well-being.

A Vision for Holistic Wellness

While the center will provide core VIM services—free and low-cost primary medical care, dental services, and mental health counseling—its distinguishing feature is the integration of a vibrant community and arts center wing. We recognize that social isolation, stress, and lack of creative outlets are significant barriers to health. By offering a sanctuary for self-expression and community building, the center addresses these challenges directly. This space will act as a preventative and therapeutic tool, ensuring our neighbors have access not just to prescriptions, but to purpose.

The Arts as Essential Medicine

The arts center is designed to be a flexible, welcoming space for all ages and abilities. The facility will feature:

Community Gallery & Exhibition Space: A rotating gallery dedicated to showcasing the talents of local, emerging, and underserved artists. This promotes cultural enrichment within the community and provides a sense of visibility and worth to creators.
Creative Workshop Classrooms: Dedicated rooms for scheduled art, pottery, textile, and digital media workshops. These classes will often be run by volunteer artists and used for therapeutic group sessions focused on trauma recovery, stress reduction, and building fine motor skills.
Multi-Purpose Performance Hall: A flexible black box space equipped for music lessons, theater rehearsals, poetry slams, open mic nights, and community town halls. This area will serve as a powerful engine for social connection and dialogue.
Healing Arts Studio: A quiet room specifically dedicated to practices like meditation, gentle movement, and specialized art therapy sessions led by certified mental health professionals.
Impact and Call to Action

The Community HeARTbeat Initiative will transform the lives of thousands of underserved individuals annually. By providing a safe space where individuals can receive high-quality medical care in one wing and engage in self-expression and community building in the next, we are setting a new standard for integrated care. Our goal is to reduce hospital readmissions, decrease mental health crises, and, most importantly, create a stronger, more connected, and healthier community.

Your donation is an investment in this revolutionary model. Help us prove that art and community are essential components of comprehensive health care.

01/02/2026

This news is just out. Health insurance will be rising $186% in Schuylkill County. Volunteers in Medicine is here to help those that are in need.
Call us to make an appointment.

01/02/2026

WHAT MAKES VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE UNIQUE...and different from
other noble, non-revenue-driven organizations?

While all of these organizations do good work, VIM occupies a unique niche that appeals to those looking for local, sustainable, and relationship-based impact.

​Here is a comparison of VIM against three other major types of non-profit healthcare models to help you make a persuasive case.

​1. VIM vs. International Crisis Groups
​Comparison: Doctors Without Borders (MSF) or Mercy Ships
​These organizations are famous for high-intensity, life-saving work in crisis zones or underserved foreign nations.
​The Difference:
​VIM is Local: Instead of flying to a war zone or a developing nation, VIM serves the "hidden" neighbors—the uninsured working poor in your own community. It appeals to the desire to "bloom where you are planted."
​Sustainability vs. Emergency: Crisis groups often leave once the immediate emergency is over. VIM clinics are permanent fixtures, building trust and community health over decades.

​Workforce: MSF often requires active-duty professionals ready for grueling conditions. VIM is specifically designed for retired or semi-retired professionals, allowing them to extend their careers in a low-stress, high-joy environment.

​The Convincing Argument for VIM:
​"If you want to see the direct impact of your work on the streets you drive every day, choose VIM. It allows retired experts to give back without the physical demands of crisis medicine, creating a long-term safety net for our own community."

​2. VIM vs. Pop-Up Event Models
​Comparison: Remote Area Medical (RAM)
​RAM organizes massive, weekend-long pop-up clinics in fairgrounds or stadiums, treating thousands of people in days.
​The Difference:
​Continuity of Care: RAM provides incredible episodic care (pulling a tooth, checking vision), but they cannot treat chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension effectively because they are gone in 48 hours. VIM provides a "medical home," managing chronic diseases year-round.
​Patient Experience: Pop-up clinics often involve patients waiting in line for hours (or days) in the cold. VIM clinics operate by appointment in facilities that look and feel like private practices, preserving patient dignity.
​The Convincing Argument for VIM:
​"VIM doesn't just put a band-aid on a problem; it cures it. By offering a permanent medical home, we treat the root causes of chronic disease that kill the working poor, treating patients with the dignity of a private appointment rather than a long line in a parking lot."

​3. VIM vs. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
​Comparison: Community Health Centers (government-subsidized clinics)
​FQHCs are safety-net clinics that receive federal funding and charge patients on a sliding scale based on income.

​The Difference:
​The "Gap" Population: FQHCs are vital, but they are often overwhelmed and must charge small fees. VIM targets those who fall through the cracks—often making too much for Medicaid but not enough for insurance—and charges $0.
​Bureaucracy vs. Freedom: Because VIM relies on philanthropy rather than government billing, providers are free from the "billing treadmill." They can spend 45 minutes with a patient if needed, rather than the industry-standard 15 minutes.
​Culture: VIM is famous for its "Culture of Caring." Since everyone is a volunteer, no one is "working for the weekend." The atmosphere is often described as joyful and pure medicine.

​The Convincing Argument for VIM:
​"VIM is medicine the way it used to be. Because we don't rely on insurance billing or government quotas, our doctors can actually listen. It’s the only place where the provider and the patient are both there solely because they want to be."
The "VIM Magic"
Ultimately, the unique "special sauce" of VIM is the restoration of the doctor-patient relationship.
In a VIM clinic, no money changes hands. The doctor is not there for a paycheck, and the patient is not there to be processed. This creates a pure therapeutic relationship based solely on trust and gratitude, which Dr. McConnell described as "healing the spirit" of both the patient and the physician.
Would you like to know how to find a VIM clinic near you, or how to get involved as a non-medical volunteer?

Call us 570-617-4620