David Lantz has volunteered with The Night Ministry for three years. As a retired paramedic and firefighter, he’s seen a lot — but what he witnesses alongside TNM’s Outreach and Health team on the Street Medicine Van, the Outreach Bus, and at CTA stops continues to move him.

Much of what inspires David is the example set by Nurse Practitioner Derek Ma, TNM’s Clinical Supervisor. “I have worked with Derek since he began at The Night Ministry and observed him provide quality health care to multiple unhoused clients across all of our outreach settings,” David says. “He believes health care is a right, not a privilege — and he leads his colleagues by example.”
David is quick to note that Derek’s impact goes beyond bedside manner. Known affectionately among coworkers as “MacGyver,” Derek has a knack for finding creative solutions that make TNM more efficient and accessible for staff, volunteers, and clients alike.

For David, watching that kind of dedicated, compassionate care in action is what keeps him coming back. And for The Night Ministry, volunteers like David — who show up with experience, humility, and heart — are every bit as essential to the mission.

That’s not just a nice sentiment — it’s a practical reality. The Night Ministry’s Outreach and Health team depends on dedicated volunteers every week to extend their reach across Chicago’s streets, transit stops, and shelters. People like David, who bring real-world experience and genuine compassion to every shift, make it possible for TNM to serve more people, in more places, more consistently. If you’ve ever considered volunteering, David’s story is a pretty compelling reason to take that step.