HISTORY

Helping Hands is a group of volunteer health professionals who have provided free healthcare to the poor and homeless in Gainesville, Florida since October, 1989. The clinic is staffed by social workers, registered nurses, advanced registered nurse practitioners, physicians, and community service volunteers. Over the years, there have been 18,500 clinic visits with over 4,700 individuals seeking care. More than half those served are homeless, ranging from months to decades on the streets.

We have received recognition for our work including a Citation in President’s Volunteer Action Award Program in 1993 and the Governor’s Points of Light award for making a significant contribution to the community in 2006.

2011Statistics
3439 Visits
24 Patients/night (Mon Clinic)
15 Patients/night (Thur Clinic)
33 Participants/night
           (Thur Women's Prog)
496 Patients
56% Male / 44% Female
1223 Medical Visits
367 Psychiatric Visits
213 Acup & Massage Visits
 

Brendan, a clinic volunteer registering a patient to be seen by the medical staff

2010 Statistics
2294 Visits
21 Patients/night (Mon Clinic)
14 Patients/night (Thur Clinic)
28 Participants/night
           (Thur Women's Prog)
534 Patients
45% Male / 55% Female
1141 Medical Visits
349 Psychiatric Visits
198 Acup & Massage Visits

2009 Statistics
2177 Visits
25.4 Patients/night (Mon)
19.7 Patients/night (Thur)
436 Patients
54% Male / 46% Female
1167 Medical Visits
314 Psychiatric Visits
388 Acupuncture Visits

Helping Hands Clinic is supported in part by the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners & the Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida.