Boston Health Care for the Homeless

After touring Shattuck Hospital we traveled to The Barbara McInnis House of the Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program.  The Barbara McInnis House, located on the Boston Medical Center campus, provides “medical respite” care to people experiencing homelessness that are too sick for a shelter.  Many of the patients are in the process of recovering from a hospitalization or illness.  Beyond the Barbara McInnis House, BHCHP provides primary care and behavior health services to the homeless in outpatient and shelter sites throughout Boston.

 Upon arriving, the scholars hosted a Bingo game for the patients. While the numbers were announced, we met and engaged with the patients as we eagerly awaited winning numbers.  The scholars heard firsthand from the patients some of the avenues (personal tragedy, illness, financial crisis) through which people come to experience homelessness.  Many of these events that led to homelessness were out of the patient’s control.  With this lens, the scholars saw how incredibly essential the services the BHCHP provides are. We had a wonderful time playing bingo, getting to know the patients, and handing out prizes.