A specially-equipped RV has officially hit the streets of Northern Kentucky to provide medical care for people experiencing homelessness in different counties.
The brand new Welcome House of Northern Kentucky Medical RV will bring help wherever they need it.
“We’re going to be in parks, libraries, soup kitchens - anywhere where homeless people are we’re going to be there providing them with services they deserve and need,” said Justin Veale, director of program operations
Services include health screenings done by a full-time registered nurse.
“We’ll be checking people, coordinating health services, working with doctors’ offices,” Veale said. “We’re hopeful to provide vaccinations, HIV testing.”
The RV, run by Welcome House, was made possible by Impact 100, a women’s collective grant-making network. Impact 100 gave a $100,000 grant to get this initiative rolling.
“Our members heard there were outreach services being offered to people experiencing homelessness on the streets in undignified places on the street corner, under highway overpasses, so there was a critical opportunity to provide something dignified and private for an opportunity for a first defense to medical care,” said Clare Blankemeyer, president of Impact 100.
“We should be out in the RV 20 to 30 hours a week at this point,” Beale said
Beside that, the RV will be a place to go for help and support.
“The homeless people we’re seeing are really excited,” Beale said. “They get to come into an air conditioned vehicle that’s really nice. We provide them with cold water, snacks, make them comfortable, and give them the help that we can.”
