Street Medicine Institute

Street Medicine is a grassroots outreach program to distribute first aid kits to the homeless in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles. Created in 2006 by Meghan Ralston, the project launched on Myspace where it quickly found dozens of active supporters and volunteers. Street Medicine is currently the only program in Los Angeles specifically designed to deliver first aid kits to the homeless.

The project found early support among the arts and entertainment community in Los Angeles, including author Brian Doherty and punk rock band The Alchemist Element who threw the first first aid kit supply donation drive at a concert at the Knitting Factory in May 2006.

Approximately 1000 first aid kits have been distributed to the homeless in the Hollywood area since the creation of the project. All first aid kit supplies come directly from volunteers, largely from the Myspace community.

Future plans for Street Medicine include obtaining full 501c3 nonprofit status and expansion to include the recruitment of healthcare practitioners to deliver first aid kits and basic healthcare to the people living on the streets of Los Angeles. Additional information about Street Medicine can be found at www.myspace.com/streetmedicine.