The PDO Blog.
The Future of PDO
Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence. The same can be said about Raghad Alaraj, President
Homeless Employment
One of the main avenues to escape homelessness is to secure stable and meaningful employment. However, acquiring these positions is not that simple. Due to a combination of factors, many
Dental Issues and Homelessness
People experiencing homelessness face several health issues and barriers that accompany these issues. A topic of concern that needs to be discussed are the dental issues and poor oral health
Homeless Amongst the Elderly
It’s no question that the U.S. population is aging. The U.S. census bureau has released data that shows the rapid increase of the 65 and older population in the United
Chronic Pain in the Homeless Community
Chronic pain has a significant impact on people’s lives and people experiencing homelessness is no exception. There are several different types of chronic pain, but what is common between them
Effectiveness of Homeless Shelters
A shelter is a basic human need that can protect individuals from a number of hazards. With rising housing costs and a shortage of affordable housing, many people are in
The Impact of Telehealth on the Homeless Community
Healthcare is always growing, expanding, and ever-changing especially with information communication technology. Telehealth as well as eHealth interventions in general can be key to helping the homeless community. Although there
Youth Homelessness
Homelessness can be a difficult experience for many individuals caught in its grip. However, homelessness can be even more detrimental to youths, which include children and young adults. Annually, there
The Importance of Health Literacy
Health equity is an important issue to consider when it comes to disparities in health care. More specifically, focusing on health literacy can be a way to start in order
How Technology is Helping the Homeless
Technology continues to change the lives of countless individuals across the world. Every few years it seems, a new technology comes about that drastically changes the way we live our
Improving Nutrition for the Homeless
The lack of proper nutrition is a problem for the general population, and it is even more exacerbated within the homeless population. In 2021, Project Downtown Orlando (PDO) posted a
Assistance Barriers for the Homeless
Homelessness can feel like a hopeless situation at times, with no way out. However, there is assistance out there for individuals to help their situation. From homeless shelters to government
Homelessness is a Public Health Issue
Public health encompasses a range of social, economic, and environmental issues and homelessness is no exception. In order to understand how homelessness is related to public health, we must first
Resources for the Homeless
What is the best way to help the homeless? What resources are out there to help alleviate their burden? It’s common to wonder how to effectively help the homeless population.
Barriers to Accessing Healthcare for the Homeless
Access to healthcare differs among individuals and depends on their circumstances. For instance, barriers to healthcare for the homeless community can vary from lack of transportation to geographic barriers and
Diabetes In Homelessness
On Sunday, December 12th, 2021, Project Downtown Orlando (PDO) and the American Muslim Community Clinics (AMCC) held another mobile healthcare event. This is the third time the two organizations have
Health Promotion in the Homeless Population
New campaigns and initiatives for health care and public health are made every year for individuals living in the United States. However, there are questions regarding how to reach the
Homeless Adapting to Cooler Temperatures
For most people, the holidays are a joyous time, filled with friends and family. However, that is not the case for everyone. For the homeless population, it may be one
Health Inequities Among Vulnerable Populations
Health inequities continue to be a rising problem in the United States especially considering the vulnerable populations. More specifically, the homeless population is often forgotten when making effective healthcare decisions.
Root Causes of Homelessness
During any given night, there are around 2,000 homeless individuals in Central Florida. This population includes men, women, and children across many different backgrounds. The cause of their homelessness is
PDO + AMCC Free Health Clinic
On Sunday, September 19th, 2021, Project Downtown Orlando (PDO) held a special service at the Christian Service Center in Downtown Orlando. In partnership with American Muslim Community Clinics (AMCC),
Challenges of Proper Nutrition in Homeless Population
People afflicted with homelessness are preoccupied with trying to make living arrangements for their survival. Often times, another crucial aspect of their survival is neglected: their diet. This article will
Sponsorship
As a NonProfit Organization, Project Downtown Orlando operates with the help of our generous sponsors. Whether one belongs to a larger corporation or wants to make a contribution as an
Medical Mistrust within the Homeless community
Almost 27,487 people are homeless in the state of Florida, ranking Florida to be the 15th state with the most homeless population. 1 While Orlando is known for its scenic
COVID-19 and Homelessness
As many states in the U.S. began to remove COVID-19 restrictions and attempt to return to a sense of normalcy, things were starting to look up. However, there has recently
Volunteer Spotlight with Omar Abuellel
What does it mean to volunteer? The answer to that will be different depending on who you ask. Here at Project Downtown Orlando (PDO), we want to find out who
Spotlight Interview with Barry
“I have a belief that if you treat people right, you’ll run into people kind of like you and others will gravitate towards you.” This quote encompasses much of what
Health Disparities in the Homeless
Research has drawn attention to the disproportionate association between health disparities and homelessness. In some cases, poor living standards can worsen health conditions, while in other cases, health issues can
Mental Health within the Homeless Population
According to the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), ~500,000 individuals were homeless on a given night in the United States in 2015. Of those, 25% were seriously