×

News publications and other organizations are encouraged to reuse Direct Relief-published content for free under a Creative Commons License (Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International), given the republisher complies with the requirements identified below.

When republishing:

  • Include a byline with the reporter’s name and Direct Relief in the following format: "Author Name, Direct Relief." If attribution in that format is not possible, include the following language at the top of the story: "This story was originally published by Direct Relief."
  • If publishing online, please link to the original URL of the story.
  • Maintain any tagline at the bottom of the story.
  • With Direct Relief's permission, news publications can make changes such as localizing the content for a particular area, using a different headline, or shortening story text. To confirm edits are acceptable, please check with Direct Relief by clicking this link.
  • If new content is added to the original story — for example, a comment from a local official — a note with language to the effect of the following must be included: "Additional reporting by [reporter and organization]."
  • If republished stories are shared on social media, Direct Relief appreciates being tagged in the posts:
    • Twitter (@DirectRelief)
    • Facebook (@DirectRelief)
    • Instagram (@DirectRelief)

Republishing Images:

Unless stated otherwise, images shot by Direct Relief may be republished for non-commercial purposes with proper attribution, given the republisher complies with the requirements identified below.

  • Maintain correct caption information.
  • Credit the photographer and Direct Relief in the caption. For example: "First and Last Name / Direct Relief."
  • Do not digitally alter images.

Direct Relief often contracts with freelance photographers who usually, but not always, allow their work to be published by Direct Relief’s media partners. Contact Direct Relief for permission to use images in which Direct Relief is not credited in the caption by clicking here.

Other Requirements:

  • Do not state or imply that donations to any third-party organization support Direct Relief's work.
  • Republishers may not sell Direct Relief's content.
  • Direct Relief's work is prohibited from populating web pages designed to improve rankings on search engines or solely to gain revenue from network-based advertisements.
  • Advance permission is required to translate Direct Relief's stories into a language different from the original language of publication. To inquire, contact us here.
  • If Direct Relief requests a change to or removal of republished Direct Relief content from a site or on-air, the republisher must comply.

For any additional questions about republishing Direct Relief content, please email the team here.

The Night Ministry [Short Documentary]

Even in winter darkness, street medicine nonprofit continues to serve Chicago's homeless population.

News

Health Equity

The Night Ministry mobile clinic during a stop in Chicago on Jan. 4, 2022. (Will Jobe for Direct Relief)
By Noah Smith

The practice of street medicine is focused on providing medical care to people experiencing homelessness at the locations where they are based. Street medicine is as much about treating or preventing ailments as it is about building relationships and trust with patients, many of whom have been ostracized from other medical care venues.

In Chicago, The Night Ministry has been supporting unsheltered people with health care, social services, food, clothing, and housing since 1976. The nonprofit acquired a mobile health clinic in 1988 and has been a leader in serving Chicago’s most vulnerable residents, be it with primary medical care or a cup of coffee on a frigid cold winter night. The organization also does outreach without the bus at every major homeless tent encampment in Chicago, where doctors and other health care providers will do welfare checks with people there and provide care.

Through their work, The Night Ministry has been able to build ties with the communities they serve. “This bus… is an angel bus,” said Anthony Freeman, one of Night Ministry’s clients. “Great memories are in this bus,” said Cookie, a client of the Night Ministry.

Last year, The Night Ministry helped 479 find housing, including 51 children, served 4,500 people experiencing homeless, and performed over 2,400 health assessments for people who otherwise might not have had the opportunity to get a medical check-up. They also prevented 533 visits to the emergency room through their proactive care and served 57,770 meals. An estimated 80,000 people in Chicago are experiencing homelessness, according to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.

“We want them to feel like they’re human, because sometimes they feel a little less than,” said David Wywialowski, Night Ministry’s director of health outreach. “Don’t shy away from homelessness. Notice that it’s there and think about ways you act,” he said.  

“As a human you have the right to be healthy… we can teach people to change their life, so they can have a better life,” said Carolle Derradji, a nurse practitioner with The Night Ministry.

Direct Relief and Emmy-nominated Filmmaker Olly Riley-Smith joined The Night Ministry in January as they used their mobile clinic and outreach program to provide critical services to their clients during the dead of Chicago’s winter.

Through the Fund for Health Equity, and the AbbVie Foundation, Direct Relief awarded The Night Ministry $250,000 to support their mobile outreach program, including funding to provide medical care and social services to those sleeping on city trains, in tent encampments, and on streets across Chicago.

Filed Under: , , ,

Giving is Good Medicine

You don't have to donate. That's why it's so extraordinary if you do.