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This week on the IHeart SoCal show EJ talked to Samaritan CEO Jonathan Kumar about their Samaritan App. The 63,000 people experiencing homelessness in LA need more than a house - they need social support. That’s why they built the Samaritan app- where you can help your unsheltered neighbors achieve increased stability and health. It’s easy and takes under a minute - be part of the solution by downloading the Samaritan app from here.
Dignity Health and California Hospital Medical Center (CHMC) recently partnered with Health Care LA (HCLA) to provide homeless patients with memberships to Samaritan, a platform that gives members direct financial and social support towards housing and life goals. Members receive a Samaritan smart wallet from case managers or patient navigators, sharing life goals and breaking them down into needs and action steps. From there, members gain money and a team of supporters to meet needs (such as clothing, phone service, or move-in fees) and take action steps towards goals (such as meeting with a housing specialist, accessing primary care, or submitting a job application).
More than 50% of Samaritan members measurably improve access to care, housing, employment and other categories within a year. These outcomes are linked to significant reductions in hospitalizations, ED visits and incarceration, among other public services. Members are not required to have a bank account to participate, nor a cellphone, address, legal documentation, or insurance. They use their smart wallet to redeem funds with case managers and local merchants, as well as to securely store critical documents. Samaritan guarantees that over $100,000 will be placed into the initial 200 patients’ hands, with a goal to exceed $200,000 and expand membership by May 2023.
“Through our collaboration with HCLA, we are so excited to be able to make a truly meaningful impact on an otherwise disenfranchised and vulnerable population,” says Alina Moran, CHMC’s Hospital President. “With the unique capabilities of the Samaritan platform, we can better serve our local communities, while helping them with critical healthcare needs and life goals.”
Click here to sign up!