Credit: CBS Los Angeles

Medical services, free showers and even pet care are the services one local nonprofit is offering to help the homeless in Venice.

It’s not just basic services though; this nonprofit is making sure the homeless receive dignity and respect. For Dr. Coley King, his clinic is a tent outside, servicing those who do not have a home.

“There is a difficulty with access to healthcare for all of us, and especially for these folks,” said Dr. King.

Adolfo Gonzalez is among Dr. King’s patients. Gonzalez says he was injured in a fall.

“I dislocated my shoulder. I figured maybe I should put it in myself,” said Gonzalez.

Dr. King is the Director of Homeless Services for Venice Family Clinic. He says many homeless don’t come to get the care they need because of the stigma of not having a home.

“That’s that perceived unwelcomeness barrier, and I think once you’ve had a negative experience somewhere, you don’t like to go back to that building or agency or whatever it is,” said Dr. King.

Dr. King’s tents was among a number of other resource popups that are part of Venice Family Clinic’s Health Center Week. As part of the event, the nonprofit also provided a number of other services including a mobile shower unit, food and even pet care.

“We’re on call through organizations like the Venice Family Clinic to be here on a homeless connect day, and provide food, leashes and collars and toys,” said another representative for the nonprofit.

For the homeless folks that came out today looking for a little help, they’re also hoping perceptions of them change.

“I think people forget that homeless folks are other human beings who are less fortunate than they are, so rather than turn their nose up on them, they might want to find out if there’s a way they can help themselves,” said one of the homeless receiving the services.

Venice Family Clinic is hosting another resource fair this Friday at the Colen Health Centers.