For the last several years I have heard about TOMAGWA Ministries but never really knew exactly what they were until I recently went to an informational meeting.  I have to admit the name was a little confusing to me.  The name itself actually comes from Tomball, Magnolia and Waller; using the first few initials of each town.  I was surprised at how they came up with the name.  I thought it had some meaning but didn't realize it was a made up meaning.  TOMAGWA was founded in 1989 and opened its doors in 1992 as a part time healthcare facility run by a small group of volunteers.  They service individuals that live in southwest Montgomery County, Southeast Waller County and Northwest Harris County.  So even though their name implies Tomball, Magnolia and Waller they also service the surrounding areas.  They provide service regardless of race, age, ethnicity, religious affiliation or inability to pay.

The clients they serve are low resource individuals and families.  More than 80% of their clients live in a household where one or more family members work full time.  Even though most of their clients have jobs they make less than $42,400 for a family of 4 and they have no medical insurance, Medicare or Medicaid.  By providing this service they provide a place for these people to go and get health care.

The clinic has grown over the years and is now a full time comprehensive family practice center with a small staff and over 170 volunteers.  They best way to describe the service they provide is the service you get when you go to your family doctor.  Their effectiveness is maximized by collaborative arrangements with a number of hospitals, medical organizations, and pharmaceutical companies that provide in-kind goods and services.  It is truly neighbors caring about neighbors.  Just over the last year alone they have had a 16% rise in total number of patient visits.  The first year they started they had 495 patient visits; this last year they had over 10,000 patient visits.  They are mainly a family practice clinic but have started serving those with diabetes and have recently added obesity care and help with depression.

They are not a walk in facility you do need to make an appointment.  The patient cost is very affordable.  The first office visit is $10 and after that it is just $7.  This is if you have the money to pay; they are not going to turn someone away because they can't pay.  If someone has other needs they will help to direct them to other charitable organizations. 

At the present they are located beside Tomball hospital and are bursting at the seams.  The facility they are in now has 3300 square feet and they are hoping this year to go up to a facility sized at about 10,000 square feet.  This way they would be able to help more people.  The picture at the left is not a representation of the facility they are hoping for but it is on the wall as a reminder.  The majority of their funding has come from the community.  Their major fundraiser is a Boots and Buckles Ball.  They are funded totally by donations and through their collaborative arrangements.  They get no government funding and do not seek any.

They are a Christian ministry and do what they do in response to Jesus loving us.  It is truly neighbors caring for neighbors. 

To get more information visit the TOMAGWA website or give them a call at 281-357-0747.