Partnerships
Click on the title of any of these organizations to be directed to their webpage.
Neighborhood Service Organization (NSO)
Street Medicine Detroit's primary partner provides many resources, including street run supervision and aid from its nurse practitioner, Dean Carpenter, RN, FNP-BC, as well as many other staff members who contribute vital skills to the team during each run. NSO's mission is to provide diverse and innovative community development programs and community services to meet the changing needs of the regions population. Prevention and training are fundamental components of our programs.
The Road Home (TRH)
As part of NSO's Homeless Recovery Services (HRS), The Road Home (TRH) is funded by Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority (DWMHA). In collaboration with both public and private community partners, TRH provides mobile outreach to the unsheltered chronically homeless population on the streets of the Detroit Central Business District and surrounding neighborhoods with the goal of ending homelessness in that area. TRH also serves the vital role of connecting the unsheltered homeless population to NSO Tumaini Center's respite services to prevent harm and death that could occur to these individuals in times of inclement weather. TRH utilizes Certified Peer Support Specialists, Community Health Workers, and Social Workers to assertively engage with, provide hope to, and encourage service-resistant individuals to end their homelessness. TRH follows the Housing-First model, supported by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to house chronically homes individuals before interventions such as mental health and substance abuse treatment are employed. To assist individuals in their recovery, TRH links individuals to the appropriate permanent supportive housing option offered through NSO HRS Supportive Housing. TRH functions in collaboration with the Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND) and is represented on their Board of Directors.
Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH)
The Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) Grant is funded by the McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. This grant provides funds for services to persons currently experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness who suffer from mental illness or with co-occurring substance use disorders. Under the guidance of the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) and Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority (DWMHA), and in collaboration with numerous community partner outreach locations and providers, Neighborhood Service Organization (NSO) Homeless Recovery Services (HRS) PATH program is able to provide eligible persons with one-time financial assistance toward ending homelessness, short-term case management, linkage to mental health and substance abuse services, and needs-based referrals as well as access to SSI/SSDI benefits through the Social Security Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR) process. NSO PATH focuses on interventions for the most vulnerable chronically homeless individuals in the city of Detroit through the 100,000 Homes campaign in collaboration with the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) and the Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND), linking those individuals to permanent supportive housing options through a Housing First model. NSO PATH continues to play an integral role in Michigan’s Campaign to End Homelessness.
Manna Community Meal
This soup kitchen is committed to serving the Corktown community in Detroit by providing a free, hot meal five days a week to approximately 200 people who are not able to provide for themselves. Many of the guests are homeless, out of work, and suffer from mental illness. Manna Community Meal encourages safety in the neighborhood by prohibiting drugs and violence in and around the soup kitchen. Street Medicine Detroit teams with Manna Community Meal to provide health screenings and medical care to guests who choose to utilize our services.
St John's Community Center
Since 1984, this center has been geared toward improving the quality of life for the less fortunate. Counseling, motivational classes, self supportive and survival skills courses are provided here. The St. John Community Center is one of a few Homeless Shelters for men in the area. The shelter has housed over 20,000 men since its inception and has opened its doors by providing soup kitchen services that have fed over 30,000 men, women, and children within the community, continuously feeding up to 150 people daily. The center has welcomed Street Medicine Detroit to provide even more services to its residents and guests.
Saints Peter and Paul Warming Center
This center provides a wealth of services to its guests including free refreshments, hot meals, safe areas for resting, shower and laundry facilities, seasonally relevant clothing and accessories, and legal advice. Street Medicine Detroit is fortunate to partner with Saints Peter and Paul, adding to its extensive list of services the ability to provide medical care for its guests on one day each month.
Fort Street Presbyterian Church
Every Thursday, this organization opens its doors to serve a hearty meal to over 400 people who are homeless or cannot afford food. Each person also receives sandwiches for later. During the last year, this organization served 21,000 meals to homeless and poor people. In addition, clothing, showers, medical services, and haircuts are made available to guests. A social worker provides counseling for assistance benefits, and job postings are made available in the local area. Street Medicine Detroit visits Fort Street Presbyterian on the second Thursday of each month to provide medical services.
The Voices of Hope Occupy Detroit Warming Center
Originating from a street choir featuring members from the homeless community, this organization is dedicated towards securing housing for the homeless. The Voices of Hope Homeless Choir performs for donations towards rent, deposit and utilities, while The Voices of Hope Center serves as a warming and feeding center for the homeless seven days a week. Street Medicine Detroit collaborates with The Voices of Hope to provide health screenings and medical care to those who seek a safe haven as well as health services.
Disparities in Cardiac Health Program, MPRO
As an independent nonprofit organization dedicated toward quality improvement in Michigan healthcare, MPRO began this project to aid the Million Hearts Initiative (whose goal is to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes by 2017) by bringing together healthcare providers to review, share, and implement successful strategies for improving cardiac health and healthcare disparities in Michigan. With the help of Ashley Lee, RN, BSN, Street Medicine Detroit is fortunate to partner with this program to help improve the rates of aspirin use, blood pressure control, cholesterol management, and smoking cessation among our patient population.
World Medical Relief
This organization facilitates the distribution of surplus medical resources to patients in need regardless of race, color, gender, religion, nationality, or political belief. Goals of World Medical Relief include relieving human suffering, collaborating with community organizations, and proactively improving services provided. Street Medicine Detroit’s partnership with World Medical Relief is extremely helpful in terms of providing care packages to our patients.
Anew Life Prostetics and Orthotics, LLC
With a vision to help as many people as possible in the community of Detroit, Anew Life Prosthetics and Orthotics partners with Street Medicine Detroit to assist those with limb loss or diminished use of limb in order to achieve maximum independence, functionality, and quality of life. Anew Life designs custom prosthetics and orthotics to meet the needs and expectations of clients in addition to providing a community of support for those who are coping with limb loss.
Alanna Yaksich was a child who tragically passed away from the flu at age five - a devastating loss that could have been prevented with the use of the influenza vaccine. This tragedy motivated her family to create a foundation in her name that supports families who have suffered the heartbreak of losing a child and educates the public about the importance of annual flu vaccinations. They also hold community flu clinics. Street Medicine Detroit has been fortunate to receive donations of influenza vaccines from Alanna’s Foundation and hopes to further collaborate with this organization to ensure the public is adequately vaccinated against seasonal influenza.
Asthma Allergy Foundation
Approximately one million people suffer from asthma in Michigan alone. The AAFA endeavors to improve the quality of life for those affected by asthma and allergies. Street Medicine Detroit has been fortunate to receive donations of spacers and inhalers from the AAFA. Our continuing collaboration with the AAFA will help to ensure that our patients suffering from asthma and allergies are not debilitated by these medical issues.
WSU School of Social Work
The Wayne State University School of Social Work strives to produce ethical and competent professionals who improve the lives of the poor, vulnerable, and oppressed. Street Medicine Detroit partners with the School of Social Work to provide more complete humanistic care for the patients we see and to encourage our volunteers to work in inter-professional teams.
Community Telecommunications Network
The Community Telecommunications Network (CTN) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation formed in 1987 as a partnership between Detroit Public Television, Macomb Intermediate School District, Oakland Schools, School District of the City of Detroit, Wayne Regional Education Service Agency and Wayne State University. CTN's mission is to enhance the quality of life in southeast Michigan through the creative use of telecommunications. Street Medicine Detroit is a recipient of a CTN grant that provides the organization with wireless internet connectivity in the field. This grant has allowed SMD to access electronic medical records (EMR) and resources for patients at various street run locations.