The Shelter Health Outreach Program (SHOP) connects Penn students with Philadelphia's unhoused community through consistent volunteer work alongside shelter and meal site staff. We provide free blood pressure screenings, mobile health clinics with Penn Medicine physicians, and support daily shelter operations—from meal service to administrative tasks.

Our volunteers work at 18+ partner sites citywide, building genuine relationships with both community members and shelter staff. Beyond basic health services, we offer oral health referrals through Penn Dental, vision care clinics, Narcan distribution, and referrals to our co-sponsored free clinic in West Philadelphia.

SHOP values consistent, sustainable volunteering over one-time experiences. SHOP also aims to foster a tight-knit, internal community of volunteers through a consistent volunteer cohort system and social events! Alongside our weekly commitments, we regularly engage in reflective discussions about health/housing equity and the quality of our services. Through these debriefs, we aim to address barriers that prevent vulnerable populations from accessing care and continuously seek to improve the depth and breadth of our services.

We welcome students from all backgrounds who share a commitment to community service—not just those seeking healthcare career experience. Our four committees (Policy & Outcomes, Clinic, Marketing & Education, and Finance) ensure every volunteer can contribute meaningfully to addressing Philadelphia's housing crisis while learning from Philadelphia residents and shelter staff.