What are we focused on?
In affluent South Florida cities, such as Boca Raton, Miami, and Oakland Park there are still individuals that lack easy access to healthcare facilities and providers. The homeless and housing insecure are among the most at-risk population sub-groups and rely almost exclusively on the emergency room as a source of primary care. We address this inequity in healthcare access by taking preventative healthcare services to vulnerable groups, to the places where they gather or seek shelter. Our goal is to take an active role in helping individuals prevent illnesses or access additional services to prevent severe and debilitating illnesses.
Individuals experiencing homelessness and financial hardships may have little to no access to medical care and treatment. Food insecurity is almost always a co-occuring hardship; many fear seeking services due to immigration status. We believe that essential services such as basic medical care are human rights, and we work diligently along with local partners to provide services to those in need, regardless of their circumstance. We aim to reduce disparities between healthcare access and economic status, while decreasing reliance on the emergency room as primary health care service.
iHelp continues to facilitate service-based learning within the US, as well as internationally. Within our domestic outreach program, we welcome students participating in various educational clubs to volunteer within our clinic. Our model provides future healthcare providers with hands-on clinical exposure so they may build medical knowledge and healthcare related social skills while they work alongside licensed medical providers.
