One step at a time - Rhode Island vaccine clinic targets hard to reach

Northern Plaza Postman Frank receives support from Paul Perry, a building maintenance worker after receiving his COVID-19 vaccine.

From left, Norther Plaza site manager Kate LeBlanc; Nurse, Debra Greene; Providence Field Office Director Nancy Smith Greer; Nurse, Peg Zawryt

Getting to 100 percent, that was the goal of a recent COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Northern Plaza, a 100-unit elderly and disabled HUD-assisted development located in Pawtucket. Providence Field Office Director Nancy Smith Greer joined the property management team to encourage residents to get vaccinated.

Northern Plaza's vaccination success is testament to the support of property owner, Peter Woloohojian, and the tenacious efforts of site manager, Kate LeBlanc. Kate has worked hard to build a trust relationship with residents throughout the pandemic. It has been a long and often tumultuous journey, marked by cultural, language and other barriers.

Kate said the process has not been easy, but worth the effort with 65 percent of residents vaccinated prior to the clinic.

Kate even convinced the long-time building postman, Frank to get a vaccine. Frank was so nervous at his initial vaccine that a building maintenance worker offered to provide support during the vaccine process. Frank was back this day to get his second shot and while still a little nervous, could not say enough positive things about the vaccine. "It's important to get the message out," he noted. "I come in contact with many folks in the community daily and I can serve as an example to others."

As the vaccine clinic continued, Kate called attention to two people leaving the room. "See those two people? That's a mother and a son who live in the building. After repeated efforts, I was finally able to convince the mother to get her vaccine. Once she went through the process and was assured of the value and safety, she in turn convinced her son to get his vaccine. She came with him today and now they are both vaccinated. That is what it takes to reach the goal of getting everyone vaccinated. One step at a time and one person at a time. Sometimes we get only a few, but we keep at it. That is what it will take to protect our residents and to keep our communities safe."

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