This is a health care outreach program for the homeless street population
in the Pittsburgh area. It touches the lives of hundreds of men and women living on the streets each year, providing them
with access to health care -- and the dignity they were previously denied.
In 1992, Dr. Jim Withers, an internal medicine physician, began providing medical care to the unsheltered homeless
population directly on the streets of Pittsburgh. He partnered with formerly homeless individuals and, initially dressing
as a homeless person, began to make nighttime street rounds in the alleys and under the bridges of the city. From this initial
outreach service other clinical volunteers joined in and Operation Safety Net was born. Today, OSN is recognized as one of
nations' first targeted full-time street medicine programs and continues to set the standard for this unique form of health
care. Our homeless clients have taught us how to best serve them in the context of their real lives. Through deep, personal
connection with individuals, we are able to partner with them to find solutions.
Purpose
As long as there are unsheltered homeless sleeping on our streets, in our abandoned
buildings, and along our riverbanks, Operation Safety Net will provide access to health care that is designed to meet their
unique needs.
Several components of the program are:
1. Street Outreach in which walking teams of clinicians and formerly homeless workers provide care in the streets; 2. Medical
Services Mobile Van which is a physician's office on wheels that travels to distressed areas afflicted by poverty, drugs
and crime; 3. WellSpring Drop-in Clinic which provides primary care services, free of charge, in a physician office complex.
Other services include: case management, computerized database,
medical education of future physicians to provide care for the poor, public health partnerships, housing connections, research
studies, and local as well as national leadership roles.
Connecting
With Us
Providing direct care or supporting Operation Safety Net through gifts are two opportunities to assist
those individuals living in the streets. Read below for a brief description or contact Operation Safety Net at 412-232-5739.
Clinical Volunteers
Licensed physicians, nurses and paramedics are provided training and given
an assigned geographic area with an experienced outreach worker. There are approximately 25 clinicians that are part of our
team. Direct care workers assist patients in their recovery and their healing process.
Financial Donations
Charitable contributions are graciously accepted and used solely to further the mission and to deliver medical care to the
poor. As a program of the Pittsburgh Mercy Health System, a 501c3 organization, financial gifts are tax-deductible. The program
is contingent upon financial support.
Material Donations
Schools, churches, community groups
and professional organizations have assisted tremendously by donating direct supplies for our patients. Items such as sleeping
bags, hygiene items, men's socks, gloves, underwear and external outerwear have been very useful, especially in the winter.
Some groups have prepared bag lunches that are distributed by our teams.
Address for donations or drop off of items:
1518 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh PA 15219
