In addition to their HOPE Team that conducts outreach to connect people experiencing homelessness with medical and other services, we are blessed to have Health Care Center for the Homeless provide a health clinic at our Downtown campus in Parramore three days a week. HCCH is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) committed to providing the health care needs of the homeless and uninsured residents of our community in an atmosphere of dignity and respect.

Tuesday-Thursday HCCH offers primary and urgent care, behavioral health, labs and more for Central Florida's most vulnerable population. As a result, HCCH effectively identifies and manages chronic diseases for our unsheltered guests that would otherwise go undetected and untreated.

Dr. Pia Valvassori is HCCH's lead clinician for their outreach and housing team. According to her, they see an average of 60 people per week. "By being on campus, we can treat basic medical needs before they become big problems, keeping people out of the E.R. and hospital," Dr. Valvassori said.

"We meet people where they're at and address their immediate health needs in a non-judgmental way." - Dr. Pia Valvassori

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, campus guests can attend mental health counseling with a licensed mental health counselor. On Wednesdays, the focus is harm reduction including hepatitis and HIV testing. On lab days, HCCH even transports clients to a clinic for blood work.

Visit HCCH.org to learn more, donate or get involved. Donations of men's clothing, shoes, sports drinks and food are always helpful.