Ella Treinen

The Suitcase Clinic is a humanitarian student organization that has offered free services and supplies to the uninsured, homeless and low-income communities of Berkeley, California and the San Francisco Bay Area since 1989. Mission Statement The mission of the Suitcase Clinic is to promote the health and overall well-being of underserved individuals through service provision, cooperative learning, and collective action among community and professional volunteers, students, and participants. Our Philosophy We believe in the dignity of all human beings, and hold that healthcare and housing are basic human rights of all persons. We realize that health is a holistic state of complete physical, mental, emotional and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Health promotion requires more than medical care and should include programs that address behavioral, social, and environmental issues that affect people’s quality of life. We should take the initiative to make our services, projects, and our overall organization as client-centered and culturally appropriate/accessible as possible. We value the principle of “starting where people are"​ in utilizing clients’ strengths and resources in order to meet their needs and empower them to make their own choices. The educational experience of our volunteers involves cooperative learning and personal reflection to foster personal growth through the sharing of ideas, resources, and support. However, the educational experience of volunteers should not supersede the service provision to clients. ​