Suitcase Clinic Slideshow by Sunnie Wong

“We must be the change we wish to see in the world.”

~Mahatma Gandhi

The Suitcase Clinic

A humanitarian student organization and volunteer community offering free health and social services to underserved populations

since 1989. Photo: courtesy to Andrew Kronemyer

Volunteers, who were also UCB-UCSF medical students (1989).

Dwight Way Women’s Shelter, Mondays 7:30pm~9:30pmSt. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Mondays 6:00pm~9:30pm

First Presbyterian Church of BerkeleyTuesdays 6:00pm~9:00pm

1989 Mobile Clinic. Medical supplies delivered in suitcases.

1990 General Clinic opened.3 Women’s Clinic opened.2001 Youth Clinic opened.

Mobile Clinic (1989).

Photo: courtesy to Andrew Kronemyer

For over fifteen years, the General Clinic has been a safe and successful place for clients to receive medical, dental, optometric and

chiropractic care; to pick up hygiene supplies; to talk to a lawyer or a social

worker; or just to hang out with each other and with Berkeley students.

First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley has been generously providing the Clinic a secure space to

conduct its services since 1990.

A line has already been formed outside the church well before 6:30pm.

Clients chit-chat while waiting for the doors to open.

Clinic coordinator, Sheila, signs the clients up for the services they’d like to receive.

Clients socialize and talk to volunteers while waiting for their services.

“There are no cows in Canada!?”

“Got this in Las Vegas!”

“Al Jones, in the house!”

Once their names are called, clients are directed to the main room.

In the main room, clients can pick up hygiene supplies from Jill.

Clients are welcome to pick out what they need from Clinic’s stockpile of donation.

The popular footwashing service is always available to the clients, who often walk for hours and have

limited access to showers.

“You footwashers should be called ‘Foot Angel’

‘cause Jesus washed feet too!”

After his feet are washed, Ken volunteers to cut

Joseph’s hair.

Julie accompanies Ken to see Dr. Williams.

“Let’s see… this medical record asks if you were ever pregnant… ”

Julie walks with Ken as he is leaving the

Clinic.

It’s getting late, but we managed to serve all the

clients!

On any given day, homelessness affects

approximately 800,000 people in this nation.

Contrary to common misconception, homelessness CAN end and WILL end once it is no longer acceptable

for another human being to be sleeping outside, in their car, in an

abandoned building, or in a shelter.

Here in the Suitcase Clinic, we strive to help the underserved population to

achieve home fulne ss

One bare footstep at a time.

The Suitcase Clinic accepts donations ranging from cash to clothes (shoes and

socks in particular), hygiene supplies, and household items. For more information, or

to offer professional services, visit www.suitcaseclinic.org