January Update

January Hours: 18

Cumulative Semester Hours: 18 

We’re only a few weeks into the semester, but it already feels good to have the first module behind us. It’s kind of wild how quickly this program is moving. It honestly feels like it’ll be over before we know it.

This month, I stayed busy with a few different community service efforts. I continued my clinic work with Freestanding Communities, and we recently moved our clinic location to Ozanam Inn, which is a shelter on Poydras. The new space gives us more room and more foot traffic, which is great because it means we can serve more people. We saw a noticeable increase in respiratory illnesses this month, but we were able to help with medication management and reconnect several patients with their primary care providers.

I’ve also kept up with cooking for the community fridges, which is such an easy and genuinely rewarding way to support our neighbors. I usually do a Costco run, buy ingredients in bulk, and make simple meals like chicken and rice or spaghetti. A lot of people don’t realize how many community fridges there are around the city or that you can drop food off anytime. There’s a Facebook group that keeps everyone updated on fridge locations and when supplies are running low, which makes it really easy to get involved.

I really love this kind of grassroots work where you can immediately help someone in a tangible way. With the freezing temperatures this week, I also spent some time dropping off hats, gloves, and socks to unhoused people in underserved areas around the city. I hope that even small things can make a cold night a little less miserable. It was especially meaningful just to say hi, check in, and remind people that they’re seen and cared about.




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