Championing Health Equity and Innovative Care
The David E. Smith Family Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) organization, champions innovative projects focused on addressing trauma-induced mental health disorders and substance abuse.
Fundraising
Your donations play a crucial role in supporting mental health and substance abuse services for underserved communities, driven by our dedicated fundraising efforts.
Grants
We provide grants to innovative projects that enhance mental health and address substance abuse in marginalized populations, ensuring essential services reach those in need.
Community
Our supportive network fosters connections, offering a safe space for sharing experiences and mutual support. Together, we create an environment where recovery & healing thrives.
healthcare is a right, not a privilege.
David E Smith MD
A warm welcome from Dr David E Smith MD
Throughout my career in addiction medicine and community health, I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of compassionate care.
When I founded the Haight-Ashbury Free Clinics in 1967, my vision was to create a safe haven where everyone, regardless of their circumstances, could access the medical help they needed.
This foundation continues that mission, dedicated to ensuring that quality healthcare is a fundamental right, not a privilege.
Through the David E. Smith MD Family Foundation, we are committed to addressing the healthcare disparities that persist in our society. We support free clinics, train healthcare professionals, and engage in community outreach to make a tangible difference.
Our work is driven by the belief that every person deserves access to compassionate, high-quality care.
I invite you to join us in this vital mission. Whether you contribute through donations, volunteer your time, or help raise awareness, your involvement is crucial. Together, we can continue to build a legacy of care, compassion, and health equity.
We are the Pioneers of the free clinic movement
At the forefront of compassionate healthcare, Dr. David E. Smith MD and his dedicated team have championed the free clinic movement since its inception. Born out of the transformative Summer of Love, our mission began as a response to the overwhelming need for medical services among the youth who flocked to San Francisco during this pivotal time.
- 1900
Year Founded
1967 marked the beginning of Dr. David E. Smith’s dedicated journey in providing compassionate care and support for individuals battling addiction.
- 0+
Initiatives
Over the years, we have initiated and supported numerous projects in San Francisco and beyond, aimed at improving addiction treatment and fostering lasting recovery.
- 0+
Grants Issued
We have issued numerous grants to support innovative addiction treatment programs and research initiatives, fostering advancements in recovery and care.
Our Charitable Initiatives
In the summer of 1967, Dr. David Smith founded the Haight Ashbury Free Clinic, and its volunteer medical staff saw over 400 patients during the first week of operation. Dr. Smith's commitment to the principle that "Healthcare is a Right, Not a Privilege" provided a foundation for the decades of innovation and service that continue today.
Driven by a passion for positive change, our mission is to create a lasting impact on lives, fostering a better world for all. With dedication, compassion, and the support of the Smith Family and Richard & Beth Frank, we tirelessly work towards our goals.
We believe in transparency and accountability, and we work diligently to ensure that every dollar donated goes directly toward making a difference.
Haight Ashbury Free Clinics
In June 2011, the Clinics merged with Walden House, a community-based drug treatment program that also had its start in the Haight Ashbury a couple of years after the Clinic opened its doors. Today, the merged entity is known as HealthRIGHT 360, and encompasses a number of other agencies that focus on specific underserved populations.
Rock Medicine
Rock Medicine is a volunteer-based organization, consisting of medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, paramedics, and EMTs, as well as non-medical volunteers. The organization offers a range of services, including first aid, emergency medical care, and harm reduction strategies, such as drug and alcohol education and safe space initiatives.
Dorothy McGinnis Smith Nursing Scholarship
The scholarship, in her honor, supports the Health Careers Academy at East Bakersfield High School, where David graduated in 1956. It provides financial assistance to nursing students dedicated to serving marginalized populations.
"A mother holds your hand for a short time but your heart forever."
Paws As Loving Support (PALS)
PALS is dedicated to improving quality of life throughout the community by providing “Special PALS for Special Needs”, assisting children with disabilities, healthcare providers, victims of crime and providing support and companionship.
Homeless Youth Alliance
Through peer education and community support, Homeless Youth Alliance fosters an environment where young people can share knowledge and experiences to collectively reduce harm and enhance their well-being. The programs are designed to provide comprehensive support, helping youth to not only survive but to thrive.
Homeless Youth Alliance is committed to guiding youth on a path towards stability and independence, ultimately assisting them in transitioning off the streets and into a brighter future.
Colors Of Love Rehabilitation
This nine month program accommodates up to three women at a time, focusing on providing comprehensive training in tie-dye techniques as well as the business behind it.
Upon program completion, participants can choose to join the team as full-time artists or are provided the tools needed to start their own tie dyeing business.
Wildlife Images
They treat ~1,200 wild animals each year who come to them for a variety of reasons; they were injured, sick, orphaned, kept as illegal pets, etc.
Many animals that come through their doors are released back into the wild. Those that can't be released end up staying at Wildlife Images as ambassador animals for their education programs.
Join Us on Facebook for our Latest Updates
Want to stay in the loop? Follow the David E Smith Family Foundation on Facebook for the latest news, exclusive content, and exciting events. Be part of the change and join our vibrant community today!
Coming Soon!
Dr. Smith's Highly Anticipated New Book
Dr. David E Smith MD has recently penned a highly anticipated book: "The Adventures of Dr. David Smith: A Psychedelic Journey."
Within its pages, Dr. Smith shares gripping and touching anecdotes from his life, detailing his involvement in various projects across the decades.
Proceeds fom the sales of this book go directly to the David E. Smith Family Foundation fund, allowing us to maximize our impact.
