Callahan earns Courage in Leadership Award for mobilizing, unifying the community

Apr. 14—WORTHINGTON — When the Rev. Jim Callahan received an email informing him he'd received the Manuel Guerrero Courage in Leadership Award, he thought it was a joke, and decided to read the note later.

When the St. Mary's pastor was told to read the email about the recognition, given by the Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association to "a visionary community leader whose work is transformative and has broad impact in the State of Minnesota and beyond," Callahan saw the list of prominent Minnesotans who'd received it in the past, including Gov. Mark Dayton and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar.

"So I'm thinking 'They got the wrong person,'" Callahan said, smiling.

In fact, the group reached exactly the right person, and member Lola Velazquez-Aguilu had nominated Callahan for the award after hearing him speak in October, because she "was so moved by all he has done for the Latino community in Minnesota."

Callahan received his award at a gathering of about 800 people at the Hilton in downtown Minneapolis — "a whole ballroom full of lawyers and judges," he said — and took the opportunity to make contacts with the people there, to help facilitate his work and the work of the OLGFC, Worthington's free clinic for people who are uninsured.

Though it was born in the basement of St. Mary's Church in 2011 as the Our Lady of Guadalupe Free Clinic, it has grown to serve the needs of the community, with a move to 616 11th Street in 2022.

And it all started with asking what people needed.

As it turned out, what they needed was health care, as quite a few were uninsured or underinsured and couldn't afford to see a primary care physician, so they ended up getting most of their medical care at the emergency department. That meant people often allowed their chronic health issues to slide, skipping medication refills in favor of putting food on the table for their family, paying rent or caring for their children.

Callahan called a friend, Dr. David Plevak, and asked him to come to Worthington to see a few patients. Plevak agreed, saw about 30 people and, because he'd prescribed medication to some of them, said he'd have to return.

"We said 'Let's start a medical clinic here for those who are uninsured or underinsured,'" Callahan recalled.

It was easier said than done, but it did get done, as Plevak and Callahan began recruiting people to help and volunteer on behalf of the clinic, not just medical personnel but also people who could provide food and housing for those medical professionals, plus translators and people to help guide others through the health care system.

The clinic started with 30 patients on one weekend, and now there are more than 2,000 who use the clinic, which is open Monday through Friday and, in emergencies, on weekends as well, Callahan said. It was a true community effort, with people from many diverse communities in Worthington joining together to make the clinic happen. In the process, those involved broke down their preconceptions about those other groups, building a community together.

"I've seen a change to people in their attitudes and their dealings with people in other cultures," Callahan said. "One of the greatest assets is its diversity."

Sanford Health Cooperative contributes nurses, and the clinic's building on 11th Street is owned by Sanford, too. Funding comes from donations and grants, and people don't need to be church members in order to get help at OLGFC.

"I never did a clinic before. Never. That was the power of God," Callahan said. "It's really a mandate Christ gives. He says you have to basically stand up for the poor, those who are oppressed, those who are marginalized."

The clinic is always seeking volunteers and donations. For more information on volunteering, donating, or scheduling an appointment, visit olgfc.org.

OLGFC is hosting an open house for the public to celebrate the opening of its new location from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at 616 11th St., Worthington. Light refreshments from Whip and Mix will be available, as well as clinic tours, and OLGFC board members will be present as well.