The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #66367

Mary Ellen Miller, MSN, School of Nursing, La Salle University, Box 808, 1900 West Olney Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19141-1199, 215-951-1489, miller@lasalle.edu and Melanie Gavin, MSN, St, Vincent Health Center, 109 East Price Street, Philadelphia, PA 19144.

Community service and learning projects present unique challenges to educators. A question often arises: which came first, the service or the learning? This paper discusses the collaborative "Neat Feet" project conducted by undergraduate nursing students in an urban setting. Implemented in a health clinic that serves primarily the homeless population, the "Neat Feet" project is an example of one successful community service and learning project for undergraduates students in the health professions. Nusing students are introduced to a unique community service and learning experience devoted to foot care for the homeless population.The population served gains from the one-on-one attention given to them by the students. Foot soaks, foot inspections, and gift bags of new socks and lotion are only a small component of this experience. The greater component are the student's written and oral reflections which reveal personal insight and lessons learned along the way. This project is funded in part by a mini-grant from a non-profit organization that traditionally supports community service and learning projects in community settings. Strategies for replication are also presented.

Learning Objectives:

At the completion of the session,participants will be able to:
• Define community service and learning
• Identify potential collaborative opportunities for community service and learning projects in their own communities
• Identify potential funding sources for student community service and learning activities

Keywords: Community Collaboration, Homeless

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: La Salle University School of Nursing St Vincent Health Center Pennsylvania Campus Compact
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employment at La Salle University grant funding from Pennsylvania Campus Compact