Twenty-five years ago, CHAS Health started in a two-exam room clinic serving homeless patients who had no other place to go for care. Today, we serve patients from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, including over 13,000 patients experiencing homelessness. Our clinics serve individuals who are couch surfing, those who are living in their own vehicle, and those who do not have a roof over their head.
CHAS Health employs two amazing individuals, Ilze and Sabrina, who spend their days outside of the clinic walls to meet with people wherever they are. Ilze and Sabrina visit meal sites, local shelters, and parks to make sure individuals experiencing homelessness are safe. They help navigate people to health care services and other appropriate resources.
Last year, Ilze and Sabrina passed out:
- 21,014 socks
- 12,202 hygiene kits
- 3,916 gloves
- 2,912 hats
- 1,044 bus passes
- 21,019 other items, including bottled water, hand warmers, and essential all-weather items.
Where do these socks, hats, and gloves come from? Each year CHAS Health employees conduct a Winter Survival Drive, donating hundreds of gloves, hats, coats and other cold-weather gear. In addition to our employee drive, throughout the year we receive financial donations from individuals who designate their donation to our homeless program.
The Inland Northwest is a beautiful, and cold, place to be during the winter months. We appreciate all of our community partners, donors, and employees who come together with a compassionate heart to help the most vulnerable among us.
Pictured are CHAS Health staff at a past Spokane Homeless Connect, an annual event that brings together a wide range of service providers under one roof:
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This blog post part of a special CHAS Health series for #GivingTuesday 2019. #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving that focuses on the collective power that individuals, communities and organizations use to celebrate generosity and philanthropy worldwide. During the Thanksgiving season, it is easy to get swept up in the fervor of shopping events such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday. #GivingTuesday, the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, will kick off the giving season and inspire people to collaborate and give back. Follow CHAS Health on Facebook and Twitter to learn more.
