b'Ayers, the Dream Centers of Colorado Springs,care, nutrition counseling, and prayer ministry.Colorado, reach women by serving physicalSince the start of the pandemic, the clinic has health needs, supporting emotional well-being,seen an influx of patients who come into the and paving a way for spiritual wholeness.clinic for a preventative exam, only to realize, Matthew and other community membersafter conversations with staff, that they have started the ministry after determining some ofbehavioral health care needs as well. As the needs the most significant gaps in care in Coloradoof women at the clinic are growing, they are com-Springs: at the top of the list were womensing back for repeat sessions, said Dream Center health, behavioral health, and family homeless- executive assistant Megan Warren. The visits ness. The group knew they didnt want towill help them get stabilized and back on track duplicate services, and that there couldnt beto functioning and thriving in society, she said.Today, telehealth services have become all the more important in eliminating barriers to healthcare. Women can attend therapy sessions at work during their lunch hour or while their baby sleeps, instead of taking off precious work time or arranging for childcare in order to access services they need. a one-size-fits-all solution. We believe thatToday, telehealth services have become all humans are incredibly complex, and partneringthe more important in eliminating barriers to with individuals and families to help them over- healthcare. Women can attend therapy sessions come these highly complex challenges requiresat work during their lunch hours or while their multiple kinds of programs, Matthew said.babies sleep, instead of taking off precious work The Dream Centers consist of two locations:time or arranging for childcare in order to access the Womens Clinic and Marys Home. At theservices they need. Womens Clinic, health care providers At Marys Home, a long-term residential facil-bolstered by a robust partnership with manyity for single-mother-led families, the two biggest health and mental health care workers and volun- factors in helping women escape the cycles of teersspend a required minimum time of 45poverty, abuse, and homelessness are time and minutes with a patient in order to understand andrelationships. Its a high-challenge, high-support treat the complexities of a patients points of pain.environment that is rooted in community and Originally started as a place to get basic treatmenttrust. It takes a long time for women and children such as cervical exams, breast cancer screenings,to develop self-worth, begin trauma-informed and pap smears, the clinic soon expanded torestoration, establish sound economic footing, include professional counseling, chiropracticContinued on page 14\x02SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 WWW.CITYGATENETWORK.ORG 11'