Health Fair for the Homeless
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Providing a one-day health fair to enable the very poorest people in Houston obtain very basic health screening and referral for health care. The idea of a health fair was born out of the collaboration of Drs. David Wolf and Richard Jackson. After years of volunteer work at local clinics and abroad in Lima, Peru, they realized there was a tremendous need among the homeless and medically under-served in Houston. Many people have high-risk disease and must wait in long lines and in emergency rooms to obtain simple screening that would be better accomplished in a more relaxed and organized environment.
A screening and referral clinic came into being for that reason. Simple tests for vision, dental care, blood pressure, blood sugar, HIV, skin and foot care, and cholesterol screening could be done in a more efficient time frame. With the collaboration of city services at the health fair, a referral to the appropriate agency can be implemented.
The inaugural Health Fair for the Homeless will be held at the city's Third Ward Multi-Service Center (3611 Ennis) on Sunday, November 15, 2009, 9:00am-4:00pm. Rice University volunteers will meet at 6:00am, 8:00am, 10:00am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm, and 4:00pm at the RMC Circle Drive for 2.5-hour shifts, returning to campus from each shift at 9:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm, 5:30pm, and 7:30pm, respectively.
Volunteers will help with booth set-up, volunteer check-in, client registration, guiding clients to the various stations, handing out gift bags to clients, and assisting at some booths (medical-related or vendors). Volunteers should wear jeans, a t-shirt, and closed-toe shoes (no sandals or flip-flops).
Any questions about the details of the projects should be directed to Emily Jackson, Health Fair Volunteer Coordinator, at emily@hffh.org.
To get involved in this project, fill out the form below.