BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) – For the past five years, the Street Medicine team at Clinica Sierra Vista has been consistently caring for the homeless, and for one of the team members, this outreach work has brought things full circle.

• The video shows a morning with the street medicine team at Clinica Sierra Vista. Every week, they pack trucks before sunrise to provide care to Bakersfield’s homeless population.
• One of the team members says he can bring a unique perspective to the team: he was homeless for over three years.
• Over the past five years, the street medicine team has provided comprehensive treatment, from disease management and distribution of food and water to harm reduction and connection to drug counselors.

TRANSCRIPT OF THE MISSION:

Once a week, a team from Clinica Sierra Vista packs up their trucks and heads to the riverbed. In the five years since the street medicine team was founded, they have been able to save lives and provide care to a vulnerable population.

“Back then, we were traveling on foot with a wagon and backpacks,” said Scott Dopp. “Today, we switched to two trucks. We’ve come a long way.”

Scott Dopp has been part of the street medicine team since its inception five years ago, initially as a volunteer and now as a full-time employee.

During this time, Dopp says, the equipment has improved, but the mission has remained the same: to care for people who need help.

He tells me that returning to the riverbed is a bittersweet memory.

“I was homeless for three and a half years,” he said. “I was here by the river, where we are now.”

Dopp said the team brings medical care and supplies, hygiene kits, food and harm reduction assistance to at least 50 people a week, causing people to line up in the mornings for distribution.

Dopp says they have helped with damage control, finding people housing, connecting others with addiction specialists and just handing out food and water. They are consistent in their help, Dopp says, and are with the people who depend on them every week.

“We’ve saved a lot of people out here,” Dopp said. “I always tell people: As long as I’m here, you won’t die.”

Dopp says during his time on the team he has helped expand the company’s offerings because he understands what people need.

“I know I’ve come full circle and I can apply the things I’ve learned here … it’s beneficial,” he said.

Through weekly visits to the area, they have been able to build relationships with the people they see and treat, Dopp says.

“I love seeing the people in our dorms have jobs that make their lives better. You know what I mean, that’s what it’s all about,” Dopp said. “It’s really nice to see that… I just love this. I love this job.”

The street medicine team is led by Dr. Matthew Beare. The team say demand has increased in recent years and they are in constant need of water, socks, dog food and leashes. Click here to learn more about Clinica Sierra Vista’s health care offerings for the homeless population.

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