Sharks Foundation Donates $25,000 to Teen Health Van

The San Jose Sharks Foundation recently awarded a $25,000 grant to support Packard Children’s Mobile Adolescent Health Services, affectionately known as the Teen Health Van. This important community outreach effort provides a safety net of health care, social services and educational programs for homeless and uninsured youth. Because the Teen Health Van supplies these vital services free of charge, philanthropic support from the community plays a crucial role in the program’s continued success.

Since 1996, the Teen Health Van has provided over 11,000 patient visits to more than 3,300 youth aged 10 to 25 in Santa Clara, San Mateo and San Francisco counties. The 34-foot mobile clinic uses a “medical home” model in which patients receive primary health care, specialty care, medications, laboratory work, nutrition counseling, mental health care and social work services. The Sharks Foundation grant helps offset the cost of medications administered by Teen Health Van physicians and nurses.

Packard Children’s adolescent medicine specialist Seth Ammerman, MD, serves as medical director of the Teen Health Van. “We’ve shown that when kids start taking care of their health, they can really turn their lives around,” he says. “We are so grateful to have a partner in the Sharks Foundation that shares our commitment to providing easily accessible, comprehensive health care for disadvantaged youth. The support of such a high-profile organization sends an important message to the community that we shouldn’t write off these marginalized children.”

Earlier this summer, staff members from the Sharks Foundation observed their support in action during a visit to the Teen Health Van.

“Beyond expert care, Dr. Ammerman and his staff provide a steady presence in these children’s lives and build trusting relationships with them,” says Jeff Cafuir, Sharks Foundation Manager. “We’re proud to support the Teen Health Van and their efforts to improve the lives of disadvantaged youth in the Bay Area.”

Packard Children’s is grateful for the Sharks Foundation’s generous contribution to the Teen Health Van. Philanthropic support helps the hospital provide world-class medical services to more of our Bay Area neighbors. Just as the Teen Health Van expands the hospital’s reach throughout the community, the expansion project will increase the capacity of Packard Children’s to care for children and families throughout the Bay Area and beyond.