Shelter Health Outreach Program (SHOP)

HealthMedicineAdvocacyUndergraduateCommunity ServiceCommunity/Public ServiceSAC
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Club Mission

The unhoused population is among the most vulnerable when it comes to accessing healthcare: 50% - 62% suffer from hypertension, among other health issues that go undetected.

The Shelter Health Outreach Program (SHOP) is Penn's premier undergraduate student-run community health organization that seeks to provide meaningful, hands-on clinical volunteering experiences by training volunteers to provide free blood pressure screenings at Philadelphia shelters through direct patient contact. SHOP's volunteering model comprises of 1) 21+ long-term, weekly volunteer sessions at our 18+ partnered shelters city-wide and 2) the development and sustenance of our student-run mobile health clinics in conjunction with physicians from Penn Medicine, providing acute care, vaccinations, physicals, and other needed primary care. We also refer patients to SHOP's co-sponsored fixed-site free primary care clinic in West Philly, which students help run.

In partnership with Penn Dental, we also provide oral health screenings on-site and referrals to dental appointment at partnered federally-qualified health clinics. We are also developing programs to offer vision care and mental health care.

SHOP also works on continuously improving the efficacy and impact of initiatives through developing analyses of health disparities, working with Penn faculty, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, and community-based organizations on implenenting new initiatives, and evaluating the efficacy of SHOP services in improving health outcomes.

Through these clinics, we reduce the financial and logistical barriers that vulnerable populations often face when trying to access healthcare. SHOP also aims to foster a tight-knit, internal community of volunteers through a consistent volunteer cohort system, debriefs reflecting on health and social injustices in Philadelphia and discussing ways to improve SHOP's services, and social events!

At SHOP, we prioritize meaningful volunteering that is consistent, sustainable, and bidirectional. We seek to forge genuine, long-term connections with local Philadelphia residents and empower those who are unhoused or otherwise socially at-risk to regain agency over their health through personal health tracking and primary care.

We also have four committees: Policy & Outcomes, Clinic, Marketing & Education, and Fundraising & Donations, each working to enhance the impact of SHOP's services on the Philly community.

Check out our story on Penn Today! The Care They Need, Where They Are 

FAQ

Most Recent
Question: Hello. Is this club still active, as of Fall 2024? - Anonymous

Yes, SHOP is as active as ever! Applications are unfortunately not open in Fall 2024 due to capacity limits with our community partners and overwhelming interest last semester, but please fill out this interest form to receive updates for the process for joining SHOP next semester, in Spring 2025!

- Shelter Health Outreach Program (SHOP)
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Question: Will applications be available for 2024 Spring? Thanks! - Anonymous

Yes, applications will be available following the info sessions this week.

- Shelter Health Outreach Program (SHOP)
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Question: Is there a list we can join for updates about Spring 2024 opportunities? - Francesco Milano

Please subscribe to our Penn Clubs page

- Shelter Health Outreach Program (SHOP)
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Question: Is there a list we can join for updates about Spring 2024 opportunities? - Anonymous

Please subscribe to our Penn Clubs page

- Shelter Health Outreach Program (SHOP)
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Question: When do you expect applications to open back up again? - Elisabeth Schuth

Applications are now open for the 2023-2024 school year!

- Shelter Health Outreach Program (SHOP)
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Question: Hi! Will applications be available this coming spring (2023)? - Anonymous

Hello. Unfortunately based on our shelter availability this semester, we were unable to open as many spots in SHOP as we hoped for. For that reason, Spring 2023 applications will be closed. Please reach out to shopupenn@gmail.com with any additional questions.

- Shelter Health Outreach Program (SHOP)
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Question: I know that the application currently live is for the fall semester, but is it possible to join in the Spring? - Anonymous

In the past we have accepted applications in both the fall and spring semesters, however this has not been the case every spring. Based upon our shift capacities, we may or may not accept new application this spring. Updates will be posted towards the end of the semester.Ā 

- Shelter Health Outreach Program (SHOP)
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Question: What exactly does SHOP volunteering consist of? I know blood pressure screening and providing referrals are mentioned, but does SHOP provide service in other ways as well? - Anonymous

During the pandemic, SHOP worked remotely. You can check out our PowerPoint from the fall explaining our remote operations: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1qoSLpozL3_byRoI--zp27FLx1OEtUH43DFRaUb-4Ey4/edit?usp=sharing

More recently (post-university COVID resitrictions), SHOP has returned to in-person volunteering. We have maintained the fundraising and donations, marketing and education, and policy and outcomes committees. In addition, we are excited to have opened out community clinic is partnership with the SHAMs clinic.

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Basic Info

54 Registered (50 - 100 Members)

Not Currently Accepting Members

Application and Interview Required

Spring Semester


Contact

How to Get Involved

  • Due to capacity limits for Fall 2024, applications will be open for SHOP in Spring 2025! If you are interested in joining in the Spring, please fill out this Interest Form: https://forms.gle/ZCeNVNrAJuDoWpQP9Ā 
  • Follow along for updates on our Instagram: @shop_upenn and our website: www.shopupenn.org
  • In the meantime, attend either of SHOP's NSO preceptorials:
  • - Saturday, 8/24 at 10AM
  • - Saturday 8/24 at 1PM

Additional Pages