Social Work students make a difference through community-focused projects

Thirteen Social Work students have made a difference to children, adults, and animals across Southeast Kansas and Southwest Missouri this semester as the result of class projects at Pittsburg State University. 

The projects were organized in Humboldt, Independence, Parsons, and Pittsburg in Kansas, and in Joplin, Jasper County, and Newton County in Missouri by those enrolled in Professor Kristen Humphrey’s Advanced Social Work Practice III class. 

Humphrey said the Social Work program embraces Pitt State’s emphasis on learning by doing. 

“Every semester, my students contribute to the community in such valuable ways while putting advocacy and leadership skills into practice,” she said. “The Community Project Showcase is always one of my favorite days of the semester because I love seeing the students share the results of their efforts. They’ve worked so hard and I’m very proud of them.” 

Miah Shelby, a senior from Iola, planned and promoted a 5K run to benefit Pittsburg children in need of footwear; the registration fee was a donation of new or gently worn socks or shoes or monetary donations to purchase them. Shelby has worked as a support staff member at mental health centers for two years and has seen the effects of children not having adequate footwear. 

Kamryn Johnson, a senior from Girard, coordinated care packages for clients at the Crawford County Addiction Treatment Center, where she has worked as a mental health technician and has helped clients through detox and drug treatment. The care packages included hygiene items, new socks and undergarments, snacks, and games. 

Sarai Perez, a senior from Pittsburg, collected clothing donations for the Pittsburg High School Closet. She grew up in a low-income household and a sense of awareness of which peers had resources and which did not. It impacted their mental and emotional health.  

Ally Turner, a senior from Humboldt, conducted a community drive for the Humboldt Animal Pound. She has volunteered at animal shelters and has seen the number of animals needing care. Her drive collected dog and cat food, treats, litter, pet beds, food/water bowls, and toys. 

Kelsi Strickland, a senior from Elk City, collected donations to purchase a greenhouse for St. Andrew Elementary in Independence. As a parent, she strives to create a healthy diet with plenty of produce for her own children and wanted to provide that plus hands-on learning and increased engagement for students in her hometown. 

Katheryn Watson, a senior from Joplin, Missouri, collected donations for a birthday cake kit drive she launched for children in Jasper and Newton counties. She accepted items such as boxes of cake mix, cans of frosting, and birthday candles, as well as financial donations, and she sold mental health awareness t-shirts to help raise funds for 100 kits to be donated to the Jasper County Salvation Army. 

Katrina Vera, a senior from Miami, Oklahoma, collected laundry and dish soap donations for low-income families in Joplin. The donations were delivered to the Economic Security Corporation, which will disperse them to families using the organization’s services. Vera was once a single mom struggling with finances and trying to afford basic needs. 

Rebecca Queen, a senior from Parsons, raised donations to purchase interactive companion animals for students at the Special Purpose School on the campus of the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center in Parsons. She has worked with children with intellectual and developmental disabilities there for more than a decade, and has witnessed how environmental stimuli, sensory processing difficulties, and curriculum demands in a classroom setting can trigger anxiety, agitation, withdrawal, and other physical symptoms. 

Morgan Holt, a senior from Frontenac, collected kitchen spice donations for clients served by Safehouse, which provides temporary emergency shelter, personal advocacy, individual support counseling, and other services to individuals who have experienced domestic violence. 

Lindsey Simpson, a senior from Wichita, organized a dog and cat food drive for SEK Animal Advocates, a non-profit, volunteer-based, no-kill shelter started in 2021. Every dog and cat they help gets spayed and neutered before adoption, and the organization opened a low-cost spay and neuter clinic in Arma. 

Ngetwai Ngiramengior, a senior from Koror, Palau, grew up in a country with no trace of homelessness. Since moving here as an international student, she noticed the homeless population and decided to try to help tackle food insecurity among the unhoused. Her food drive helped to restock the pantry at Wesley House. 

Elizabeth McWhorter, a senior from Independence, held a winter clothing drive to also benefit those served by Wesley House, which last year served nearly 3,000 through the food pantry and nearly 200 in its day program. She collected hats, coats, and gloves as well as cash donations.  

Tammy Johnson, a senior from Dennis, collected hygiene and cleaning supplies for the boys served by the Youth Crisis Center in Parsons. Her goal was to free up money in the organization’s monthly budget that otherwise would have been spent on those items so that the boys could enjoy leisure activities. 

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