Our House: A Lifeline for Atlanta’s Most Vulnerable

Ongoing partnership works to improve health outcomes for at-risk individuals and families in metro Atlanta.

Founded in 1988 by a group of local community volunteers and Reverend Joanna Adams, Our House began as a free childcare service for families experiencing homelessness in metro Atlanta. Recognizing the need for comprehensive support, the organization has since expanded its mission to provide transformative care aimed at ending the cycle of homelessness for at-risk families. Today, Our House offers a range of programs, including shelter, early childhood education, housing services, workforce development, and healthcare.

The integrated community health clinic at Our House officially opened in July 2022, when Community Advanced Practice Nurses (CAPN) fully merged with Our House and became Our House Health. From that date forward, the organization began delivering nurse-led, no-cost healthcare services to thousands of children and adults each year who often face multiple systemic barriers to healthcare, including unstable housing, lack of insurance, and transportation challenges—making the availability of free, dignified, and comprehensive services truly lifesaving.

Aligned Missions: Improving Access to Care & Promoting Health Equity
MedShare, which had been a vital resource for CAPN for nearly 25 years, has proudly supported Our House Health seamlessly since the clinic’s opening, recognizing a shared commitment to addressing social determinants of health through tangible clinical and community-level support.

In the last fiscal year alone, the Our House Health clinic conducted 4,027 patient visits, providing essential health services to those who might not otherwise have access to care. The clinic offers:

• Primary Care: For children and adults.
• School & Employment Exams: To support educational and employment opportunities.
• Reproductive Health Services: Addressing the specific needs of women.
• Behavioral & Mental Health: Providing counseling and support.
• Medication & Transportation Assistance: Ensuring access to necessary medications and healthcare facilities.
• Language Assistance: Making services accessible to anyone regardless of language.
• On-site Bloodwork & Laboratory Services: Facilitating comprehensive diagnostic services.
• Care Coordination: Assisting patients in navigating the healthcare system and helping to address social determinants of health.
• Chronic Care Management: Offering specialized care for chronic conditions.

This partnership with Our House is part of MedShare’s broader effort to reduce health disparities by equipping under-resourced clinics across the U.S. and around the world with quality medical supplies, equipment, and biomedical support.

Collaboration Supports Sustainability
The cost of medical supplies can eat into the already limited operational budgets of most free and charitable clinics. MedShare not only provides many of these supplies free of charge but consults with the clinic to help determine other ways to support their work. Understanding that every clinic is unique, MedShare conducts a thorough assessment in order to match the key needs of the clinic to MedShare’s inventory.

In the case of Our House, the need for an operational autoclave was identified, and MedShare was able to meet that need thanks to a generous donation by Midmark. This single piece of equipment is critically important to a charitable clinic for both clinical safety and financial sustainability:

Infection Control – Autoclaves sterilize reusable instruments using high-pressure steam, killing all bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores. This prevents cross-contamination and infection, which is especially critical in resource-limited settings.
Cost Savings – Instead of using expensive disposable (one-time use) medical instruments, clinics can use high-quality, sterilizable instruments repeatedly and save anywhere from $20,000 to $45,000 per year, depending upon the number of clinical procedures being done on an annual basis.
Environmental Impact – Autoclaves reduce medical waste significantly—important for clinics in regions with limited waste management infrastructure.
Sustainability and Independence – A functioning autoclave enables continuous operations even during supply chain disruptions.

MedShare Supports Health & Wellness Programming
One notable Our House initiative is their Self-Monitoring Blood Pressure (SMBP) program. This program empowers participants to manage chronic conditions like hypertension through education and resources. One of its key components is the provision of free blood pressure monitors from MedShare, which enable Our House clients to monitor their blood pressure regularly at home. This proactive approach helps in early detection and management of health issues, promoting better health outcomes for the at-risk populations they serve.

“Thanks to the generous donation of blood pressure monitors from MedShare, Our House has expanded our self-monitoring blood pressure (SMBP) program that is already making a meaningful impact in the lives of our clients. As a walk-in free & charitable clinic serving vulnerable families in Georgia, this evidence-based program empowers adults with the tools and education needed to manage their blood pressure effectively from home. With minimal barriers to participation, clients are now better equipped to take control of their health, prevent complications, and improve long-term outcomes. We are deeply grateful to MedShare for their support in advancing health equity and holistic care in our community!”

– Mario Lopez-Rodriguez, Director of Health Programs, Our House

For under- and uninsured individuals in underserved communities, the impact of this SMBP program can be profound:

• Empower individuals to take control of their health outside of clinical settings
• Improve hypertension management, reducing the risk of stroke and heart disease
• Bridge gaps in care by connecting participants to broader support services like housing, food, and transportation
• Reduce healthcare costs by preventing emergency visits and complications from unmanaged blood pressure

The Our House health clinic stands as a vital resource for Atlanta’s underserved populations, offering comprehensive services aimed at promoting health and independence. However, the challenges posed by federal funding uncertainties could threaten the sustainability of these essential services. Continued support and advocacy are necessary to ensure that organizations like Our House can continue to serve those in need, providing care and hope to families striving for stability and self-sufficiency.