Greater New Haven Probus, a service organization, has donated 750 pairs of Bomba socks for unhoused individuals in Greater New Haven who are receiving medical care from the Street Medicine team of Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center. The donation to the Cornell Scott Hill Health Center Foundation was announced on Friday, February 7 at the Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center Medical Clinic at 266 State Street. 

 It was accepted with gratitude by Foundation Board Chair LindyLee Gold and Andrea Lobo, Chief of Human Resources, Community Relations and Marketing at the Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center and a Board Member of the Cornell Scott Hill Health Center Foundation. They were joined by Phil Costello, an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, leader of the Street Medicine team. Representing Greater New Haven Probus were Les Faiman, Norman Goodman and Charles Mendlestein. 

LindyLee Gold was quoted as saying, “After learning from Phil Costello about the prevalence of foot ailments and ulcerations that could be solved by clean, dry socks, we wanted to set to work to address this problem. With Bombas being a paradigm for conscience capitalism, and the work of the Greater New Haven Probus, a collaboration was formed to facilitate this health-changing delivery. "

Greater New Haven Probus is a voluntary service organization of people dedicated to helping agencies and organizations that assist people who are intellectually or developmentally disabled, unhoused, families and individuals who are at risk, veterans and others in the community in need by providing a range of supportive initiatives throughout the year. 

The Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center’s Street Medicine team ensures health equity through access to quality medical care for Greater New Haven’s unreached, unhoused population. The Street Medicine team bridges the gaps and barriers they experience in receiving medical care. Examples of the care provided by the Street medicine team include treatment for urgent and primary care needs, harm reduction counseling and medication assisted treatment. 

The donation grew out of comments shared by Phil Costello with LindyLee Gold and the Foundation Board indicating that socks are among the most frequent items requested by individuals who are unhoused as they navigate their daily lives and health. The result was the donation from Greater New Haven Probus. 

Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center officials underscored the need: in fiscal year 2023, the Street Medicine team served approximately 2,700 unhoused patients; just a year later, in fiscal year 2024, that number doubled to approximately 5,400.

The Cornell Scott Hill Health Center Foundation’s mission is “to support Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center in promoting the health and well-being of the communities it serves.”