SF State nursing students were among the hundreds of volunteers working at Project Homeless Connect’s second annual one-day outreach event on Dec. 7.

About 28 students and three instructors saw a steady stream of patients during the eight hours they were there. As part of the public health nursing class, students performed various tests and duties.

“A lot of it is doing medical tests, blood sugars, blood pressures, heart rates, and escorting people to different parts of the building for services they need,” said Tim Regehr, SF State public health nursing professor.

The students also screened for early diabetes and took vital signs as part of their community health rotation.

“Anywhere we’re needed is where we’re at,” said 24-year-old nursing major, Jackie Licea.

According to Licea, students not only had the opportunity to practice their medical techniques, but they also learned about communication skills and patient interaction.

“My students are here to get the aspect from the public health end as part of their curriculum,” Regehr said.

The event, held at the Bill Graham Auditorium, provided various services in honor of its second annual nationwide observance of Mayor Gavin Newsom’s Project Homeless Connect and its 14th annual installment. Various agencies set up stations to provide services, such as methadone clinic recommendations, legal advice, and animal welfare.

“We have the program for free long-distance phone calls so people can reach out where they otherwise couldn’t afford to,” Newsom said. “People who want nothing more than a massage can get a massage, which is rather remarkable – people go and get a massage for free and have their feet washed and go to a podiatrist to help them with their bunions. It’s remarkable. It’s all under one roof.”

Homeless advocate Abdalla Magahed, 60, took advantage of the services to obtain an I.D., reading glasses, coffee, and food from Safeway.

“This is a blessing from God,” Magahed said, expressing his appreciation for the program and its volunteers. “You give to people, God gives back.”

While Newsom acknowledged the huge task of trying to meet everyone’s needs, he also showed his gratitude toward the volunteers.

“The work is never done. When you ask me, ‘How are things going?’ in some respects, very well, and in other respects, I wish I could do more,” he said. “One thing I recognize is that I can’t do everything. But (with) the collective wisdom of thousands of volunteers, together we can.”