Members of the Kirkwood Student Nursing Association (KSNA) volunteered at the 18th annual Five Seasons Stand Down on Thursday, Sept. 12.
The event was hosted by the Valor Board, which is a 100% volunteer organization.
Stand Downs are typically one- to three-day events during which VA staff and volunteers provide food, clothing and health screenings to homeless and at-risk veterans.
Veterans also receive referrals for health care, housing solutions, employment, substance use treatment, mental health counseling and other essential services.
At the event, KSNA partnered with Linn County Public Health to provide influenza vaccinations for homeless or near homeless individuals.
One of the student nurses, Paige Church, said, “Kirkwood helping out with the Stand Down event is an amazing thing. For those that have served and dedicated so much of their life to serving our community and our country, it’s the least that we can do to give part of our time during the day to help them.”
Church added that if she gets the chance, she will be back next year. “Even after the nursing program, I would love to come back to help,” she said.
Nursing Professor Stephanie Klappholz was also at the event and said KSNA has been helping for at least the past 10 years.
According to the Five Seasons Stand Down website, “This collaborative event assists people experiencing homelessness or near-homeless, transition to community living by providing access to human service agencies, including benefits counseling (Social Security and Veterans), employment and training assistance, health care screenings, housing services, legal assistance, behavioral health and substance abuse counseling and treatment. Attendees also have access to personal care providers, such as hair stylists.”
Those interested in volunteering next year can e-mail volunteer@vetsstanddown.org.
Categories: Campus News, News
