SAN DIEGO -- One San Diego organization is giving medical care to hundreds of people. Project Access connects patients with doctors who give discounted and free healthcare.

Before William Abbott ended up homeless he was a painter. But an injury prevented him from working.

"I couldn't work because no one would hire me because I had a hernia and it's a risk factor so I couldn't get a job," he said.

With his last few dollars in his pocket he travelled to San Diego from Las Vegas to get help. He got surgery for his injury through the help of Project Access. In collaboration with Kaiser Permanente the organization provides uninsured San Diegans with donated outpatient, same-day surgeries.

"Thank God for Project Access," Abbott said. "The day I went in there were 40 of us. They helped out 40 people just that one day."

The program works on a first-come, first-save basis. Those needing help are asked to visit a community health clinic for a referal.

Patients need to be low-income and not qualify for public assistance insurance. Those who qualify are then screened. Kaiser Permanente donates space, services and supplies for the surgeries. Project Access has helped 1,200 patients.

In April, doctors performed more than 40 surgeries. Abbott was one of those patients.

"If it wasn't for Project Access I'd still be in the same boat before the surgery," he said.

Abbott is now on his way to a full recovery. He's staying at Father Joe's Village now but said he'll soon have a place of his own once he starts working again.

Project Access holds about three surgery days a year. For a list of community health clinics click here.