MIAH

Please visit MIAH's new website at http://clubs.uci.edu/miah!

The Medical Initiative Against Homelessness (MIAH) is a student group at the UCI School of Medicine that is focused on addressing public health and medical issues within the community.  We work closely with the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA), aka the public health department for Orange County, and community organizations to provide services for the large homeless population in the area.

All MIAH members are eligible to participate in our community outreach projects throughout the year in addition to the work they do behind the scenes on their committees.

Community Outreach Projects:

The Mobile Medical Van: In conjunction with Kaiser Permanente, the local Medicaid insurance program, and social services organizations, MIAH volunteers once every week to serve the homeless population.  The van rotates between various sites within the county and provides a variety of services.  MIAH is in charge of helping with clinci flow and assisting doctors during patient visits.  Volunteer sign-ups are through our calendar event postings on this website and only open to current MIAH members.

Tutoring: A key component of child life is stability and a safe social environment.  Unfortunately, for the many children who are homeless in Orange County, a good environment in which to grow and learn can be hard to come by.  Thus, MIAH has started a tutoring program at the Costa Mesa Motor Inn, a temporary home for homeless families.  Each Thursday MIAH volunteers spend time helping children with their homework in the on-site community center.

Committees:

Food and Nutrition: Become a point of contact with the OC Food Bank and other community organizations focused on nutritional health.  Contact local companies for foods donations.  Coordinate efforts to provide food at mobile clinics.  Current projects include organizing a nutrition class at local shelters and creating a healthy, easy recipes cookbook with produce readily available from local markets.  If you are passionate about what you put into your body and would like to help others learn how to eat healthfully, this is the committee for you.

Finance: Help look for and write grants for current MIAH projects.  Create an annual fundraiser.  Contact local corporations for sponsorship.  This is a great committee for anyone who would like to learn more about organizations within the community and speak about the advocacy behind MIAH.  This committee is looking for dynamic personalities who can be creative and also organized in their approach to raising funds for the organization.

Fit 4 Life: Create and lead interactive classes to promote physical health and well-being.  Assist in the instruction of a weekly yoga program around the community.  Physical health is deeply connected to social, mental, and medical health.  The Fit 4 Life committee aims to provide safe centers for physical activity at sites around the county.  Currently, we are working on developing a yoga class at the Costa Mesa Motor Inn, temporary housing for  previously homeless families.  We are looking for excited individuals who are interested in leading classes on physical health or helping our instructors to do so.  We welcome all people with all interests in physical health.

Tutoring: Develop a structured tutoring and mentorship program is important for the children of Orange County.  Coordinate efforts to help children with their homework at weekly tutoring sessions.  Work on a mentorship program that pairs students up with MIAH volunteers who can be a positive role model for the children.  Look for ways to expand tutoring to other sites in the county.

Undergrad Recruitment: Participate in the recruitment process on the undergraduate campus.  Help with MIAH publicity to undgraduates.  Coordinate undergraduate volunteer efforts and events.  The undergraduate population is extensive at UC Irvine, and MIAH would like to educate others about the plight faced by our County and the steps we can all take in order to improve the current situation.  We are looking for dedicated people to help lead the undergraduate effort and establish a greater presence on the Irvine campus by throwing campus events and participating in campus activities.

Science and Health Outreach: Help us carry out fun and stimulating programs that pertain to generating interest in science and improving well-being. We put on fun, hands-on science projects for children (i.e. Vinegar Volcanoes, Electromagnetic Motors, Solar Systems, Make Your Own Ice Cream, etc.) that stimulate their interest in science and learning. We also put on health classes (i.e. Effects of Alcohol, Blood Pressue and Cholesterol, etc.) for adults and families to promote improved well-being and awareness. We are looking for passionate people with creative energy that truly want to uplift the surrounding community!

If you are interested in any of the above committees, please contact us at MedInitH@gmail.com.