Hope Rescue Mission
Title: From Intake to Outreach: Building Trust and Health at Hope Rescue Mission
Student Interns:
Julia Teymouri
Drexel University College of Medicine at Tower Health
Academic Preceptor:
Holly Metzgar, DO, FACOG, NCMP
Drexel University College of Medicine at Tower Health
Community Preceptor:
April McNally
Hope Rescue Mission
Rus Romanov
Hope Rescue Mission
Robert Turchi
Hope Rescue Mission
Community Site:
Hope Rescue Mission is a shelter that provides both emergency and transitional housing to men experiencing homelessness in Berks County, PA. Hope Rescue Mission connects each resident with a case manager who collaborates with community partners to coordinate support for mental health conditions, substance use disorders, legal issues, financial instability, and other challenges that may impact long-term stability and recovery. Additionally, the Mission provides residents with three meals every day, daily opportunities for spiritual enrichment, and a range of weekly educational, informational, and vocational programs designed to support personal growth and long-term independence.
Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps student intern worked primarily in a resident-facing role, providing social support and health education from the welcome desk. The intern processed intake paperwork for new residents, provided phone support for those seeking shelter, participated in medication distribution, and worked closely with Tower Health Street Medicine providers to follow up on any new medical concerns that arose. In partnership with the site’s safety officer, the intern helped to develop and lead an updated medical emergency response training for staff. Finally, the intern worked with the street medicine team to participate in community health outreach efforts, including conducting screenings for conditions such as Hepatitis C, and regularly supported the on-site free clinic held every other Tuesday.
Reflections
“My time at Hope Rescue Mission was incredibly impactful. Connecting with the residents offered a unique glimpse into the challenges some of our most vulnerable community members face beyond the scope of what is explicitly defined as healthcare. I also developed a deep appreciation for the staff here and the intersectional nature of their work in case management. In addition to the services the Mission itself provides, there are so many strong partnerships with community organizations that I observed here. It was very inspiring to see how many people care so deeply about helping the men here stay healthy and whole. This passion for service is something that profoundly resonated with me and is something that I hope to personally cultivate and take with me into a career as a physician.”
Julia Teymouri