S.H.O.W. The Homeless You Care

Thank you for investing in our student-run free clinic for the homeless. Though our campaign is over, if you would still like to contribute to SHOW, gifts can now be made here: http://asufoundation.org/show.

Recent evaluations of the homeless population in Arizona estimate that over 28,000 people in the state are officially homeless. 92% of those at risk in Maricopa County are single adults without family connections, Many of these people either have mental disabilities, are domestic violence victims, or war veterans. While the majority of these adults will not remain chronically homeless, the medical treatment of this population is an important means of improving their physical and mental health, and granting them the bodily autonomy to transcend their unique social situations (Homelessness in Arizona Annual Report, 2013).

Currently, the Human Services Campus in Downtown Phoenix serves over 1,000 individuals per day, providing over 60 different resources and services for the homeless population in Phoenix. A key aspect of the campus is the Health Care for the Homeless clinic, which provides healthcare services, including clinical care and outreach.

The clinic currently operates during the weekdays only. Consequently, there exists a large gap in care during the weekend, when the clinic is not open.

Who Are We?

In the May of 2013, a group of students from Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona began developing Arizona's first student-run clinic for the homeless. This small service-learning program was named the Student Health Outreach for Wellness (S.H.O.W.) community initiative. As the program has gained funding and developed its core of student leaders during the start-up process, its community and volunteer support has grown tremendously.  After over year of hard work, we are excited to be opening our doors in Fall of 2014.

This clinic aims to operate during the weekend, extend resources to the homeless community, but also plan preventive holistic care for the benefit of the population. S.H.O.W. represents an enormous collaborative effort involving a varied array of health care workers and students alike. In addition to undergraduate navigators, clients will be able to see (for free): registered nurses, social worker (MSW), an audiology/speech pathologist, nutritionist, nurse practitioner, medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy, pharmacist, physician assistant, and physical therapist, in addition to those they will interact with during our preventive programming events.

At this time, we will be treating specifically adult physical ailments. Care provided will include primary care, mental health care, as well as referrals to various health and lifestyle improvement resources and additional health care, when necessary.

What Makes Us Unique?

S.H.O.W. is not your average free clinic. It is a tri-university initiative operated and maintained by hard-working students and staff from  Arizona State University, University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona University. Students are exposed to a unique clinical experience and gain invaluable knowledge and skills from working the back, business end of the organization. We can develop a more well-rounded and realistic understanding of the medical field and nonprofit organization through first-hand experiences and real people from a variety of backgrounds.

S.H.O.W. aims to establish best practices in interprofessional education. Students from medical, nursing, social work, health promotion, technology, and beyond are coming together to open a free clinic for the homeless population of Central Phoenix. Students and professionals from all healthcare backgrounds are represented and integrated into care of each patient. This creates a more holistic and all-encompassing care experience for the patient and ensures that no gaps are left in overall well-being and wellness. S.H.O.W. hopes to perfect this model and act as an example for future clinics to meet new demands in the changing health care world.