Community Partner: Health Care for the Homeless
Intern: Elizabeth Marley
Site Supervisor: Patrick Diamond
What is Health Care for the Homeless?
Healthcare for the Homeless attempts to provide free health services
to homeless individuals in Baltimore
Tasks:
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My experience running the Health Care for the Homeless Help Desk
was truly eye‐opening. I had the opportunity to form relationships
with clients from all walks of life, and I was able to assist people with
a wide range of issues, including finding transportation services,
accessing financial assistance services, and finding emergency shelter
options and food services for families in need. I learned not only
about the clients who visited the desk, but also about the processes
involved in accessing the complex services Baltimore City has to offer.
This research gave me a new perspective on what it is like to rely on
sometimes inconsistent services for basic needs. At times, accessing
services for clients included long phone calls, long wait times, and
frustrated clients and case workers, but the positive outcomes I was
able to produce made this process extremely rewarding. Throughout
my 8 week experience, I was able to enroll clients in transportation
assistance programs, supportive housing programs, and addiction
services, among others. While I was only able to make a small impact,
I am confident that the research I conducted created a strong
foundation to make the Help Desk an invaluable resource for Health
Care for the Homeless clients in the future. Homelessness influences
every aspect of one's life; it is crucial that individuals' needs are
addressed during this period of uncertainty and instability so that the
process of escaping homelessness can begin.
‐ Elizabeth
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Worked at the Help Desk to connect clients
with these resources in the community.
Conducted research on other health care clinics
in Baltimore City
Assist many clients sign up for a range of
programs including case management services,
addiction services, and housing assistance
programs.
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