By kelly • February 27, 2026
Those in poverty are heavily impacted by economic and systemic imbalances.
Those who face housing insecurity, homelessness, addiction, and cultural/systemic bias are forced to face discrimination that others do not. While my organization facilitates access to care for those in hospice, we are also aware of the fact that vulnerable populations often do not have access to hospice programs, hospital beds, or equitable share of the healthcare systems. They also face increased mental load in terms of managing belongings, pets, and community connection while dealing with health concerns, often without support.
With this awareness, we aim to create access to care in unconventional ways. One of our programs allows vulnerable folks to access massage therapy, compassionate presence, and kind touch, which is not regularly available.
At one of these events, while offering chair massage for those facing housing insecurity at a day of service, I treated Tryx, a Trans person who broke down during our time together. They hadn't been touched kindly in 2 years, they recalled as they spoke to me. It was profound for them to be offered touch, to be seen, and to have someone talk with them as if they were human. As they told me some of their story, they expressed immense gratitude and felt hopeful again for the first time in recent memory.
We wish to see greater and more equitable healthcare services for those challenged with poverty and inhumane bias, and as such, we aim to spread awareness of these inequities, and collaborate with others to create systemic change.