ON ANY GIVEN WEDNESDAY EVENING—come rain, shine, snow, or sleet—a small army of volunteers sets out across Aberdeen. They carry backpacks filled with everything from bandages to snacks. Some nights they provide medical care. Other nights they help with transportation, food, or shelter. And every night, they offer the most essential service of all: human connection.
Lucas Keahey, a physician assistant who has served the Aberdeen community for nearly 20 years, has long understood how deeply health is intertwined with housing, transportation, mental health, and basic survival needs. When he learned about Midwest Street Medicine, a Sioux Falls-based nonprofit providing low‑barrier, no‑cost care to people experiencing homelessness—something clicked: Aberdeen needed that too.
He spent time with the organization’s founders in Sioux Falls, observing their model and learning how to bring it home. By January 2025, the groundwork was underway. Less than six months later, a core group of volunteers stepped out for their first Wednesday night rounds.
“Street medicine is about going where the people are,” Keahey said. “Our organization is designed to remove barriers and provide help to the best of our ability right then and there.”
A Team Built on Skill and Heart
The Aberdeen chapter of Midwest Street Medicine (MSM) is made up of physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, social workers, interpreters, and peer support specialists. Volunteers without medical backgrounds play equally vital roles, helping with logistics, supplies, and outreach.
“Peer support specialists are people who have their own life experiences to draw from,” Keahey explained. “They may have been unhoused themselves or experienced substance abuse. They can help bridge the gap to provide care.”
For many volunteers, the work is as transformative for them as it is for the people they serve.
“Volunteering isn’t just about providing a meal or even finding a bed; it’s about restoring the human connection that poverty so often strips away,” said nurse practitioner Rosa Eyton. “When we show up, we may not be substantially changing a life—but we are reminding someone that they are seen and valued, and that can make all the difference.”
Pharmacist Stacy Anderson echoed that sentiment.
“Volunteering with MSM is about meeting people where they are, without judgment, and reminding them they still matter,” she said. “We don’t wait for people to come to the healthcare system—we bring care directly to them when they need it most. It’s changed the way I see medicine. It’s not just about treating conditions; it’s about restoring dignity and connection.”
Midwest Street Medicine comprises several staff and volunteers who distribute supplies and healthcare services to those experiencing homelessness in Aberdeen.
Compassion that Extends Beyond the Team
For many volunteers, the work is grounded in simple but profound acts of care.
“We show up with open hearts, because we truly care about our community and the people in it,” said Registered Nurse Kelly Birkla. “We may not change everything in a moment, but small acts of compassion and connection can mean more than we ever realize.”
That spirit of compassion extends beyond the volunteer team itself. Connections and partnerships have been essential to MSM’s success in Aberdeen. The team collaborates regularly with the Homeless Coalition, Journey Home, local churches, and other nonprofits to meet people where they are, both literally and figuratively.
Community Partnerships Fuel the Mission
While the long‑term goal is always to connect people with stable housing and ongoing support, the immediate focus is stabilization through food, warmth, medical care, and safety.
Last June, Bethlehem Lutheran Church helped the team secure a van and provided space to store it. The church also prepares hot meals every Wednesday for volunteers to distribute.
Zion Lutheran Church offers space to organize supplies and donations, and a recent grant from the Aberdeen Community Foundation will help MSM continue expanding its reach.
As a nonprofit, MSM relies entirely on volunteers, and every dollar donated stays in Aberdeen to support local care.
A Growing Need Often Hidden in Plain Sight
In less than a year, the Aberdeen chapter has grown to 35 regular volunteers. Each Wednesday, the team sees between 100 and 150 individuals and performs 10 to 15 medical visits. Just recently, MSM announced plans to add Saturdays to their weekly rounds, offering more consistent care.
“We show up with open hearts, because we truly care about our community and the people in it.” – KELLY BIRKLA
The need, Keahey said, is real even if it’s not always visible.
“Our challenges do look different than in a large city like Sioux Falls,” he said. “We don’t have an emergency shelter or a large number of unhoused people in local parks. That means we have to work harder to build trust and find those who are unhoused or housing insecure. Until you start looking, you might not see the true need that’s there.”
At a minimum, the team tries to offer a moment of compassionate human interaction to everyone they encounter.
Looking Ahead
As MSM continues to grow, Keahey sees both immediate and long‑term opportunities to improve care. In the near future, the team hopes to secure more stable funding and find a way to offer daytime hours. He also hopes Aberdeen can one day support an emergency short‑term shelter.
“I’m proud that we had the courage to begin,” Keahey said. “I’m excited about the ability to help more people, especially those who haven’t had a lot of choices. It’s a small thing to give agency and empathy to our community.” //
- To learn more or donate, visit midweststreetmedicine.org or Midwest Street Medicine-Aberdeen, SD on Facebook.
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