We Believe In Our Patients
Homelessness
Waukesha Free Clinic is a member agency of the Housing Action Coalition/Continuum of Care in Waukesha County. As of January 2016, in Waukesha County, there were close to 200 individuals homeless and living on the street, an 11% increase from 2015. Our services assist unhoused individuals with medical care, patient health education, medications and referrals to gain housing, transportation, and food.
We work with community partners helping homeless individuals, families, and those at risk of homelessness by providing medical care. As a member agency of the Housing Action Coalition/Continuum of Care, we partner with the following community partners.
Click on each organizations name below to learn more about the services offered!
Those experiencing homelessness are more likely to be diabetic and have chronic health issues (hypertension, high cholesterol, asthma, etc.).
Challenges when having no shelter include:
Challenges faced while “couch surfing” include:
Often, homelessness can result in crowding leading to challenges such as:
~ Mitch K.
In September, Waukesha Free Clinic received a Friday afternoon call from the ProHealth Care Wound Clinic, where one of our volunteer physicians also practices. The provider was treating a man with a chronic leg wound that was failing to heal. Through deeper discussion, it was revealed that the patient was unhoused, living in a car with a friend who was also homeless. One of the patient’s critical care instructions was to elevate his leg as much as possible to promote healing – a task impossible to accomplish in his living situation.
Recognizing the urgency, the provider reached out to WFC. We immediately supplied contact information for local homeless service agencies. Unfortunately, by late Friday, only the Hope Center could respond, offering an apartment voucher – but the unit would not be available for five more days. Concerned that the patient’s condition could worsen, the physician asked if WFC could intervene further.
Thanks to a generous community donor who established an emergency patient assistance fund, WFC was able to pay for a modest hotel room for the patient and his friend to cover the gap until their apartment became available. This not only gave the patient a safe place to rest and elevate his leg as directed but also supported his broader stability while awaiting permanent housing.
This story underscores the value of our partnerships with community providers, who know they can call WFC when traditional resources are exhausted. It also demonstrates how donor generosity enables us to bridge urgent gaps, ensuring that patients can follow medical guidance and move toward better health and stability.
