Mazzoni Center

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Understanding Substance Use in the LGBTQ+ Community and Key Needs for Treatment

 

Student Intern:

Katherine Allen, Thomas Jefferson University, College of Population Health

 

Academic Preceptor:

Zoë Van Orsdol, MA, MPH, Thomas Jefferson University, College of Population Health

 

Community Preceptor:

Devon Taylor, Director of Practice Management, Mazzoni Center

 

Community Site:

The Mazzoni Center, one of Philadelphia’s oldest LGBTQ+-focused health centers, provides a wide range of services designed to meet the unique needs of its community. The main site, located at Broad and Bainbridge, provides comprehensive primary care, medical case management, and behavioral health services as well as a food bank and a youth drop-in clinic. The secondary location in Washington Square West operates as a sexual health clinic offering STI testing and treatment. Mazzoni’s mission is to ensure equitable access to healthcare for all patients regardless of their income level or insurance status. Annually, the Center provides compassionate and inclusive care to more than 15,000 patients. A pressing need is a more comprehensive approach to substance use, particularly meth, and to addressing the many issues that contribute to its use.

 

Team’s Experience:

LGBTQ+ adults are at a higher risk of substance use and substance use disorders as compared with the general population. In particular, elevated rates of stimulant use are reported among gay and bisexual men. The Bridging the Gaps student intern gathered information from key sources such as care providers, patient records, professional literature, internal and external resource lists, and patient interviews to address the issue. With this information, the intern developed a proposal to improve and streamline the Center’s substance use screening protocol and update treatment referral resources, with the goals of reducing the barriers to treatment and mitigating progression to more serious health conditions.

 

Reflections:

Katherine Allen: “Bridging the Gaps was a valuable learning experience for me in that I saw firsthand the difficulties and inequities that the LGBTQ+ community faces in obtaining compassionate and comprehensive services. If Mazzoni did not exist, it would be far worse. My experience at Mazzoni taught me how important it is to have as many services as possible available under one roof. However, it also taught me that, in some cases, treatment is only a stopgap measure if other needs such as homelessness, joblessness, long-term mental health services, etc. are unable to be addressed. For me, gaining deep clarity on the gaps in community services was just as important as understanding the commitment that Mazzoni has to the LGBTQ+ community.”

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Mercy Neighborhood Ministries

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Expanding Health Education Through Creative Play at Mercy Neighborhood Ministries in North Philadelphia

 

Student Interns:

Cheyenne Frank, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Oluwapelumi Osunkoya, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

 

Academic Preceptor:

Zoë Van Orsdol, MA, MPH, Thomas Jefferson University, College of Population Health

 

Community Preceptor:

Barbara Coleman, Director of Programs, Mercy Neighborhood Ministries

 

Community Site:

The mission of Mercy Neighborhood Ministries is to improve quality of life for the people of Philadelphia through intergenerational programming in early education and youth development, adult education and workforce development, and adult day care. Mercy serves about 300 children, adults, and seniors daily in the 19140 and 19144 zip codes of the Tioga-Nicetown and Germantown areas of Philadelphia.

 

Team’s Experience:

The Bridging the Gaps student interns focused on giving Mercy students a series of health- and safety-related lessons. They also facilitated gameplay, the completion of school assignments, and participation in field trips around Philadelphia. Their goal was to create a fun and engaging environment for students to learn more about personal health. One lesson comprised a series of games about germs and hand hygiene, another was an oral health Bingo game, and a nutrition game was designed with the goal of building the healthiest and most balanced meal.

 

Reflections:

Cheyenne Frank: “My experience this summer with BTG was so fulfilling. Working at Mercy emphasized the importance of teamwork and community in addressing the diverse needs of underserved populations. Through its early education and youth development programming, I saw how the well-being of the students extends beyond the clinical setting. The relationships I built with the teachers and staff and lessons learned this summer have laid the foundation for a collaborative mindset I hope to carry throughout my medical career!”

 

Oluwapelumi Osunkoya: “I couldn’t be happier with my experience at Mercy Neighborhood Ministries this summer. Over the course of the seven weeks, I had the pleasure of getting to know the staff and many of the students. I learned how much heart is in this community. Each staff member is extremely committed to their work there, every day putting their all into creating the best environment for every child. The students are collaborative, bright, funny, and eager to learn. Watching them work together, encourage one another, and comfort each other when they’re feeling down has left a lasting impression on me. Mercy feels a lot like a family. I feel incredibly lucky to have been a small part of this organization this summer. To share in their joy and laughter, celebrate their accomplishments and birthdays, and witness some sad goodbyes has been deeply moving. I look forward to continuing my work with Mercy in the future.”

 

 

Nationalities Service Center (NSC)

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NSC: Witnessing Perseverance and Resilience Within Immigrant and Refugee Populations

 

Student Interns:

Siddiqa Faruki, University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing

Hannah Park, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

 

Academic Preceptors:

Dalmacio Dennis Flores, PhD, ACRN, FAAN, University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing

Zoë Van Orsdol, MA, MPH, Thomas Jefferson University, College of Population Health

 

Community Preceptor:

Kara Friesen, MA, Associate Director of Health Services, Nationalities Service Center

 

Community Site:

Since 1922, Nationalities Service Center (NSC) has been committed to serving refugees and immigrants in the Greater Philadelphia area, assisting approximately 5,000 clients annually in recent years. NSC supports newcomers from more than 100 countries and offers multiple resources to help clients build a foundation of independence, including programs and services for legal protection, language access, community integration, employment supports, and healthcare navigation. NSC’s mission is to empower immigrant and refugee communities and to see them thrive.

 

Team’s Experience:

The Bridging the Gaps student interns worked with the Health Access and Innovative Support Program for Immigrant and Refugee Empowerment (INSPIRE) teams, focusing on navigating the healthcare system and providing social support. The interns connected clients to healthcare services and social benefits such as SNAP, SSI, public transportation, adaptive equipment, and healthcare screenings. The interns also helped clients make and navigate healthcare appointments and escorted clients to these visits to advocate for cultural humility and accessible interpretation. With support from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, the interns developed resources to educate clients on the significance of smoking cessation, detailing the health benefits of quitting and offering a list of supportive resources to be disseminated after translation. The interns also created a safe space for clients to voice their concerns and needs and facilitated accessible support to ultimately promote clients’ journeys toward independence and self-sufficiency.

 

Reflections:

Siddiqa Faruki: “My time at NSC has deepened my appreciation for immigrants and refugees more than ever. I was inspired by how perseverant they are for themselves and their families. As individuals, their resilience and strength have left a lasting impact on me. Witnessing them navigate through financial, linguistic, and healthcare challenges reminded me of the strength it takes to rebuild a life in a new place, similar to how my immigrant parents had to readjust. At the Survivors of Trauma (SOT) clinic at Penn Dental, I connected clients to vital and free dental services. Next, with the Wellness team, I had the opportunity to support them through appointment escorts. My work with INSPIRE gave me the opportunity to understand the daily lives of clients through home visits, where we worked on accessing healthcare services that address some social determinants of health, like SNAP, transportation, education, affordable housing, and appointment scheduling. While there were moments of frustration and limitations, I found deep fulfillment in being part of a team that reflects on work similar to my immigrant background. I gained immense respect for the social workers who carry this work with such care and dedication. Above all, I was inspired by the clients themselves, their determination, humility, and hope. I am sad to see my time at NSC come to an end, but I am grateful for all that I have learned through these communities, and I am committed to continuing to support them with dignity and compassion in the future.”

 

Hannah Park: “My experience at NSC was a beautiful testament to the strength and resilience of the refugee community. It has been my privilege to be intimately involved with our clients’ unique journeys and to learn how to warmly encourage steps towards growth in each scenario. Every day at the office brings the distinct honor of celebrating clients’ milestones and wins together, big or small; it never fails to amaze me just how much empowering and building up our clients’ confidence and independence can impact their resettlement experience. These families go on not just to simply live but to thrive. The vital intersection between health access and social support was always at the forefront of my work, reaffirming a deep need and my growing passion to advocate for systematic change towards holistic, informed care. NSC’s direct fieldwork opportunities opened my eyes to just how much power and privilege I hold as a citizen and future healthcare provider, and the need for attention to our approach in every interaction leaves undeniable, lasting marks on our patients’ trust and health outcomes. I want to take my experiences and conversations with our clients to become a trauma-sensitive, culturally humble provider who can fight for the dignity, respect, and quality of healthcare my patients deserve.”

 

 

Visitation Homes

 

Fostering Community and Resilience at Visitation Homes

 

Student Interns:

Adja Box, Thomas Jefferson University, College of Population Health

Keziah Smallhorne, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

 

Academic Preceptor:

Zoë Van Orsdol, MA, MPH, Thomas Jefferson University, College of Population Health

 

Community Preceptors:

Zakiyyah Harris, Program Director, Visitation Homes

Shawna Murray, BSW, Visitation Homes

 

Community Site:

Visitation Homes is a program of Catholic Charities of Philadelphia (previously known as Catholic Social Services) that has been serving families experiencing homelessness since 2003. The program began as a transitional housing initiative in partnership with the Philadelphia Office of Homeless Services.​ Located in the Kensington neighborhood, Visitation Homes offer a trauma-informed Permanent Supportive Housing Program for both single mothers and single fathers. Many of the families it serves have a history of significant trauma. The organization’s priority is to create a safe environment that satisfies the basic human need for shelter. When a family is admitted, they receive keys to their own furnished apartment stocked with essentials like linens, kitchenware, toys, cleaning supplies, and more. One of the primary goals is to help families eliminate barriers, achieve self-sufficiency, and improve their quality of life. Program staff work closely with residents to teach them how to lead a healthy lifestyle after experiencing trauma.

 

Team’s Experience:

The Bridging the Gaps student interns engaged directly with residents to better understand and address the community’s needs. They prioritized community wellness and empowerment by incorporating social drivers of health and women’s health screenings. After identifying where their efforts were most needed, they shifted their focus to wellness initiatives. This included designing an arts workshop aimed at reflection and future envisioning to promote goal-oriented self-expression. They also hosted multiple oral health education sessions for children and helped establish a partnership with Gentle Gratitude Philly to provide free period product kits to residents. On a day-to-day basis, the interns supported ongoing workshops by setting up food, utensils, and other materials, while also actively listening and contributing to discussions when appropriate.

 

Reflections:

Adja Box: “I am grateful to have had this experience. It had a deep impact on my professional, personal, and academic development. I appreciate the staff and community members at Visitation Homes as they made the experience worthwhile. My fondest memories include interviewing one of the residents and building rapport with her for the storytelling project, as well as attending weekly women's workshops. She [this resident] uses her voice and testimony to educate people and spread awareness about substance use disorders and their detrimental impact on the mind and body. Many of the workshop discussions focused on the importance of self-reflection, self-care, and overall wellness, while also offering the community members parenting advice and informal life coaching. This experience provided me with new ways to build rapport and support underserved communities while enhancing my communication skills. The experience also sharpened my critical thinking, problem-solving, and time management skills so that I can be better equipped for future professional opportunities.”

 

Keziah Smallhorne: “This summer, my experience at Visitation Homes has been grounding and restorative. This experience reaffirmed my commitment to working in underserved spaces and expanded my understanding of what truly empathetic care can look like. Throughout the summer, I saw just how resilient both social service providers and the people they support truly are. Everyone here, including the staff, residents, and those who come in to teach and host workshops, feels like a family. They support each other in ways that reminded me of the strength and beauty in community. I hope to carry the patience and perspective I refined here at Visitation Homes with me for the rest of my life.”

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