Over three decades of compassionate service to Gainesville’s most vulnerable residents.
Helping Hands Clinic was founded in the early 1990s by a group of concerned Gainesville citizens — physicians, nurses, social workers, and community volunteers — who recognized a critical gap in healthcare access for the city's homeless and impoverished residents. What began as a modest Wednesday evening clinic operating out of a church fellowship hall has grown into one of the region's most comprehensive free health clinics.
In its earliest days, the clinic relied entirely on donated supplies, volunteer labor, and the goodwill of local medical providers. Physicians donated their Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Nurses brought their own stethoscopes. Pharmacists sorted medications in paper bags. Despite the minimal resources, the need was vast — and the community responded.
Through the mid-1990s, the clinic expanded its services to include mental health care, recognizing that a large proportion of the homeless population suffered from untreated psychiatric disorders. This led to the creation of what remains today the only free full-psychiatric medical program in the Gainesville area, with onsite pharmaceuticals dispensed at no charge.
In the 2000s, Helping Hands Clinic formalized its relationship with the University of Florida College of Medicine, College of Nursing, and College of Pharmacy, creating a unique pipeline of medical student volunteers who train alongside licensed professionals while serving those in need. This partnership has been transformative — both for the patients who receive care and the future healthcare providers who learn what compassionate medicine truly looks like.
Today, Helping Hands Clinic operates three clinic sessions each week, serving over 12,000 individuals and counting more than 50,000 patient visits in its history. The clinic serves as a model for volunteer-driven, community-supported healthcare — proof that a committed community can provide dignity and healing to those whom society most often overlooks.
Our doors remain open to anyone living below the poverty line in Alachua County — regardless of immigration status, insurance, or ability to pay. We have never turned away a patient for inability to pay, and we never will.
Our work has been recognized at the local, state, and national level — but our greatest reward remains the health and wellbeing of those we serve.
Presented by the President of the United States for outstanding volunteer service to the American community. One of the nation’s highest honors for volunteer organizations.
Awarded by the Governor of Florida in recognition of exemplary volunteer service and community impact throughout the state of Florida.
Named the Most Outstanding Medical Clinic by the Alachua County Medical Society for excellence in delivering free healthcare services to underserved populations.
Our dedicated team works tirelessly alongside more than 140 volunteers to keep the clinic running week after week.
Brendan Shortley has served as Executive Director of Helping Hands Clinic since 2010, bringing over two decades of nonprofit management and community health experience to the role. Born and raised in Gainesville, Brendan has deep roots in the community and a lifelong commitment to social justice and healthcare equity.
Before joining Helping Hands, Brendan worked with Community Health Centers of Florida and served on the board of several Alachua County social service organizations. He holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) from the University of Florida and a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Florida State University.
Under Brendan’s leadership, the clinic has expanded its psychiatric services, launched a women’s wellness program, and strengthened partnerships with the University of Florida health colleges, Three Rivers Legal Services, and the Alachua County Health Department. He is a frequent speaker at public health conferences and advocates at the state level for funding for free and charitable clinics.
Wendy Adams joined Helping Hands Clinic in 2015 after spending over a decade in administrative roles in the nonprofit sector. Her warmth, organizational skills, and deep empathy for the clinic’s clients make her an essential part of the team. Wendy is often the first person patients interact with when they arrive at the clinic, and she takes great care to ensure everyone feels welcomed and respected.
In addition to her administrative responsibilities — which include managing records, coordinating volunteer schedules, and handling correspondence — Wendy helps connect patients with community resources and assists with the clinic’s food distribution program.
Wendy holds an Associate of Arts degree from Santa Fe College and is a certified Notary Public for the State of Florida.
Michelle brings more than 15 years of clinical administration experience to her role as Clinic Office Manager at Helping Hands. She oversees the day-to-day operations of the clinic — managing patient intake, coordinating provider schedules, maintaining medical records, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Michelle previously worked with the Alachua County Health Department and a regional community health center, where she developed expertise in electronic health records, HIPAA compliance, and quality improvement. Her organizational acumen and calm demeanor under pressure are invaluable on busy clinic nights.
Michelle is passionate about removing barriers to care and works continuously to streamline the patient experience so that every visit is as smooth, dignified, and efficient as possible.
Muriel Maxis is the clinic’s dedicated Outreach Worker, serving as a vital bridge between Helping Hands and the individuals who need care but may not yet know about — or feel comfortable accessing — our services. Muriel walks the streets of Gainesville several times each week, visiting encampments, shelters, and public spaces to connect with people who are unhoused.
With lived experience of homelessness herself, Muriel brings a unique and powerful perspective to her work. Her authenticity and resilience inspire both the clients she serves and the volunteers she works alongside. She provides information about clinic hours and services, assists clients in navigating social service systems, and offers consistent, caring follow-up with those who are hardest to reach.
Muriel is certified as a Community Health Worker (CHW) through the Florida Department of Health and has completed trauma-informed care training through the Alachua County Coalition for the Homeless and Hungry.
Helping Hands Clinic runs entirely on the dedication of over 140 volunteers — physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, students, and community members. Whether you have medical training or simply a desire to serve, there’s a place for you on our team.