Today’s homeless population struggles with a plethora of issues on top of their unhoused situation. One of these issues is the lack of access to basic first aid and healthcare, but one local teen in the East Bay is working to combat this challenge head-on.
Dvita Vivek, a student at Fremont’s Irvington High School, formed the school’s chapter of Unity Aid Project. Founded in 2024, the Unity Aid Project is a youth-led nonprofit organization designed to provide first aid kits and other essential medical supplies to people experiencing homelessness.
“While walking down streets in big cities, I always see many homeless people sitting outside….and I realized a lot of homeless people lack access to basic first aid,” said Vivek. “So I began organizing donation drives and fundraisers with the help of other Irvington High School students. Our mission is simple; to make first aid more accessible and to promote health equity for all.”
Through her research, Vivek deduced that many homeless individuals ailed by minor injuries and infections would see their conditions worsen because of their inability to access supplies such as bandages, disinfectants and pain relievers.
“It’s not always easy for them to reach clinics or hospitals…our first aid kits help bridge that gap,” said Vivek. “When we donated 500 first aid kits, 100 shaving/razor kits and 100 toothbrush/toothpaste kits to the Montgomery Street Inn [a homeless shelter located in San Jose], several residents shared that they felt ‘seen’ and cared for…that someone remembered their health and dignity mattered.”
Photos courtesy of Dvita Vivek
Photos courtesy of Dvita Vivek
Since bringing the Unity Aid Project to Irvington High, Vivek states that the organization has amassed over 30 volunteers and they’ve worked closely with members of sister-chapters based in states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Delaware.
For the Irvington High School Unity Aid Project, most operations start with fundraising. Members operate lemonade stands, hot cocoa booths and partner with businesses such as their local Panda Express, Chipotle and Somisomi to raise the funds needed to purchase supplies such as bandages, ointment and gloves in bulk.
From there, volunteers carefully assemble each kit and coordinate with shelters and outreach programs in the greater Bay Area to get the kits to individuals who need them the most.
Because homelessness is not limited to the Bay Area, neither is Vivek’s work. While spending her latest summer vacation in San Diego, Vivek coordinated with the San Diego Rescue Mission to provide first aid kits to the people in their care as well.
“I am inspired by the leadership of young people like Dvita and the Unity Aid Project team, who are proving that compassion and action can make a real difference in our community,” comments Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan in an email to the Irvington chapter. “By providing first aid kits and medical supplies to our most vulnerable neighbors, they are not only promoting health equity but also [are] reminding us that Fremont’s is in good hands.”
For Vivek, there are no signs of slowing down as the rewards of her endeavors continue to be in abundance.
“I remember that one homeless man came up and said, ‘I don’t know specifically what you are doing, but thank you!’” Vivek said. “That kind of impact motivates us to keep going.”
