It is hard to believe that ten years ago, a wonderful group of people got together with the mission to help the homeless.  Servants to All has been serving the homeless 2012. At the time there were no homeless shelters in Schuylkill County for men and women, but a greater need existed and was going unmet. People in the area found themselves homeless for a wide variety of reasons, including alcohol or drug issues, loss of employment, or illness. For these individuals, limited homeless service providers meant that transitioning back into life after homelessness was a challenge which may have seemed insurmountable. People who found themselves in desperate situations now have one centralized location where they can receive housing, meals, case management, and referrals that are best suited to fit all of their needs.

 

In the winter of 2013/2014 Servants to All successfully operated a 24/7 Cold Weather Emergency Shelter, and on November 11, 2015 Servants to All opened the day center, also know as My Father’s House.  Servants to All became the county’s only general population emergency shelter program for single men and single women who are experiencing homelessness. At the day center, clients work with our case managers to achieve sustainable independence. Our case managers assist with planning and attaining goals, housing and job applications, securing income and veteran benefits, coordination of agency supportive services, food, clothing, medical co-payments, identification documents, resources for training and education and community service opportunities.

 

In December 2019, we began our Street Outreach program, and in January 2020 we incorporated Homeless Prevention services. Street Outreach provides the essential services necessary to reach out to unsheltered homeless people and connect them with emergency shelter, housing, or critical services.  Our Homeless Prevention includes financial assistance, rental assistance, and case management services provided to individuals and families who are at risk of homelessness.  Servants to All also became a PA 211 Access Site and began to provide services in August 2019. Servants to All receives a large influx of referrals for individuals and families in need of shelter.  As an access sites we conduct assessments, prioritization and referrals to housing and services for any person(s) experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness.

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The St Luke’s Rural Family Medicine Residency began a “street medicine” program in November of 2022.  It is designed to provide walk-in primary care services to clients of Servants to All PA.  The Rural Residency sees patients at STA on Wednesday afternoons.  Tele-Med is also available.  Patients are identified by outreach coordinators, medical advocates, or other representatives from their respective institutions.

 

Patients with urgent needs have been seen through telemedicine when the technology was available.  Patients are seen on an as-needed, walk-in basis regardless of their ability to pay.  Previously, these patients were utilizing urgent care or the emergency department for simple things like getting routine medications refilled.  Often, patients would wait weeks to see a primary care physician in the area.  Because we function as a federally designated Rural Health Clinic, we can see these patients as home visits, even if their home is temporary.  The Rural Residency has collaborated with Servants to All to provide timely, cost-effective care to vulnerable populations in Schuylkill County.

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