School of Public Health

Public Health on Wheels Journey Takes SPH Students to Friends For All

Tuesday, 10 November 2026

SPH students toured Friends For All's teaching kitchen, behavioral health offices, food pantry, on-site pharmacy and mobile unit. During the tour, students learned about Friends For All's comprehensive approach to HIV and STI prevention, testing, treatment and support services. 

Friends for All began in 1985 at the height of the AIDS epidemic; their original mission was to help people who had contracted the virus die with dignity. Over the years, as treatment has improved, the focus has become providing wrap around, holistic healthcare services to help people live and thrive with dignity.  
 
In addition to healthcare, Friends for All offers food pantry services, cooking tutorials, monthly community dinners, health and fitness classes, short- and long-term housing assistance, a pharmacy onsite, rent and utility assistance, access to computers, printing, and digital health and wellness courses and insurance assistance. They also provide a Wellness University program consisting of online and in-person group education and support to help individuals live well.  

When asked about her PH on Wheels experience, Vishva Hajari, an MPH student in Epidemiology, said, [Public Health on Wheels] is a great initiative from the School of Public Health! While we are pursuing our studies, we can go see the on the ground reality of what public health looks like for community partners that are serving people. I would encourage students to take this opportunity and if you haven’t yet, attend Public Health on Wheels to see and learn what they have to offer. 

The visit provided a firsthand look at how public health organizations address social determinants of health, including food access, healthcare access, behavioral health, and other barriers that impact community well-being. Students also had the opportunity to connect with SPH alumni, David Closs, Director of Linkage and Retention and Rahul Kodali, Outreach Coordinator who demonstrate on a daily basis how public health professionals impact the health and wellbeing of the communities they serve. 

Thank you to David, Rahul, and the entire Friends For All team for hosting our students and providing such a meaningful opportunity for our students to see Public Health in Action!