Desert Aid Services
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About Desert Aid Services
A clinic can be hard to reach when you are living outside, moving through a shelter, or facing a crisis. Desert Aid Services brings basic healthcare, first aid, prevention, and essential resources directly to people experiencing homelessness and other vulnerabilities across El Paso County and nearby regions. Donor support helps put street medicine, disaster response, harm reduction, resource navigation, and community first-aid training within reach. During the 2025 Veteran Affairs Community Surge Event, teams assisted more than 300 people, with nearly a quarter moving into shelters.
Desert Aid Services brings street medicine to encampments, shelters, areas under bridges, and other underserved locations instead of asking people to reach a clinic or hospital. Its outreach pairs basic medical care with practical support such as naloxone education, disaster supplies, referrals, and hands-on first-aid training.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Community Health Initiative
Provides street medicine and outreach for people experiencing homelessness, including basic first aid, wellness checks, referrals, infection and illness prevention, harm reduction, preventive care, disaster relief, and compassionate presence.
Street medicine outreach
Delivers healthcare directly to people in encampments, shelters, under bridges, and other underserved locations through regular street rounds and mobile outreach visits.
Harm reduction and naloxone
Provides naloxone distribution, overdose education, and support for people affected by addiction.
Disaster Relief Program
Supports unhoused and vulnerable populations before, during, and after emergencies with medical care, food, water, blankets, hygiene items, first aid kits, resource guidance, and connections to housing, food programs, and mental health services.
Health and resource fairs
Collaborates with community organizations to provide free health check-ups, preventive care, vaccinations through partner organizations, and information about local resources.
Event first aid support
Provides first aid and medical support at community events, pilgrimages, hikes, fairs, firearm education courses, and other gatherings.
Stop the Bleed training
Offers hands-on training in direct pressure, wound packing, and tourniquet use as a licensed Stop the Bleed educational organization.
BLS, CPR, and AED training
Offers first aid, CPR, AED, trauma, mental health, and other training classes, including group training opportunities.
About this work
Mission
Desert Aid Services provides humanitarian aid with a focus on medical assistance, food, water, resource navigation, outreach, collaboration, and education. It brings basic healthcare, first aid, prevention, and guidance directly to people experiencing homelessness, poverty, displacement, and other crises.
Who they serve
People experiencing homelessness, poverty, displacement, addiction, mental health crises, and other vulnerabilities, including refugees, migrants, unhoused veterans, shelter residents, and people in underserved areas.
Their impact
- The organization reports reaching hundreds of people across El Paso, Roswell, Ruidoso, and Juárez, Mexico since street medicine services began in March 2023.
- During the three-day 2025 Veteran Affairs Community Surge Event, teams assisted more than 300 people, with nearly a quarter moving into shelters.
- At the 2025 Cristo del Rey Pilgrimage, the team provided first aid support for a turnout of more than 5,000 visitors.
- At the 2024 Cristo del Rey Pilgrimage, the team provided first aid support for more than 1,000 visitors.
Need help?
How someone in need can access Desert Aid Services’s services.
People in need, or clients seeking assistance, can complete the request-for-assistance form so a team member can follow up. Medical or mental health emergencies should be directed to emergency services. The organization provides outreach at encampments, shelters, community centers, and other locations, and can connect people with higher levels of care and local resources.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
“Street medicine is the practice of providing healthcare directly to people experiencing homelessness.”
“You Have the Power to Save a Life.”
“At Desert Aid Services, compassion doesn’t clock out.”
“Sometimes, simply showing up and listening can change and even save a life.”
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Desert Aid Services has shared.
Volunteer opportunities
- Participate in street rounds and mobile outreach visits.
- Deliver medical aid, food, water, and hygiene supplies to underserved communities.
- Support disaster response and outreach before, during, and after emergencies.
- Receive or assist with first aid, CPR, trauma, mental health, and other training classes.
- Complete the volunteer contact process by using the organization's contact form or calling.
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
How does the Community Health Initiative work?
Teams make regular street rounds and mobile outreach visits to encampments, shelters, and other locations. They offer basic care, wellness checks, prevention education, harm reduction, and referrals when someone needs a higher level of care.
What happens when someone needs more than basic street medicine?
The team connects people to a higher level of care when needed. It also offers guidance and referrals for housing, food programs, mental health services, and other resources.
What does the Disaster Relief Program provide?
Before emergencies, the program provides preparedness education and supplies. During and after emergencies, teams offer medical care, food, water, blankets, hygiene items, first aid kits, resource guidance, and connections to longer-term services.
What skills are covered in Stop the Bleed training?
The hands-on sessions teach participants how to apply direct pressure, pack a wound, and use a tourniquet on a limb. The training is designed for members of the public, including parents, teachers, business owners, and concerned citizens.
Can community groups arrange training?
Yes. Groups can contact Desert Aid Services to sign up for an upcoming BLS, CPR, or AED course or to schedule group training.
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