GRANTEE SPOTLIGHT
ON THE SPOT AID
Ever hear your VGCC friends say, “We live in paradise?” It’s true—but just beyond our gates, there is a homeless population that also calls Venice home. That’s why the VGCC Foundation is proud to support On The Spot Aid (OTS), one of our new grant recipients working hard to improve the health and well-being of our local unhoused community. A $5,000 grant was awarded to OTS to help fund purchase of a mobile medical van, allowing for more direct client access to services.
The mission of OTS is to provide street medicine and health care to the homeless of South Sarasota County. These services, which are provided by OTS volunteer medical personnel, include care such as prescription management, wound treatment, dehydration prevention, mental health aid, overdose prevention, insect repellent and even bicycle lights to ensure nighttime safety. The unhoused are not able to access most health care services so OTS volunteers bring needed services to them directly, primarily through eight mobile clinics each week. OTS provided over 900 medical services in 2023 and close to 1,000 in 2024.
“We expect to do even more in 2025 now that we have our fully equipped mobile clinic. Infections are the most frequent ailment treated”, says Executive Director Norma Campbell. “By offering medical clinics from a dedicated vehicle, we provide vital medical services directly to those who need them most. Our accessible approach has not only improved health outcomes but also reduced the burden on emergency services, as many of the unhoused were previously transported directly to emergency rooms.”
And as with all non-profits, volunteers (medical background not required) and supplies are always needed to ensure continuity of these critical health care services.
“Items such as bug spray, Ziplock bags, travel-size triple antibiotic ointment, hydration tablets, Tylenol, ibuprofen, NexCare waterproof band aids, gauze bandages and ice packs are most needed”, says Norma.
To learn more on how to help, visit onthespotaid.com