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Students selected projects aligned with their professional interests, partnering with a local agency, organization, or population.
Through these projects, students are gaining hands-on experience while strengthening communities across the region — demonstrating how education, service, and community partnership work together to create meaningful change.
Graduate Social Work student Cathy Briscoe created Resident Connection Month at Guest Home Estates IV in Pittsburg to reduce loneliness among older adults living in assisted living.
Since August, Briscoe has served as a practicum student at the facility, where she observed residents’ difficulty forming social connections and limited interaction with the outside community.
“I grew up hearing the saying ‘老吾老以及人之老,’ which means ‘Extend your respect and love for your parents to all the elderly,’” Briscoe said. “Respecting and caring for older adults has always been an important value in my life.”
She invites other university students and community members to visit residents, participate in group activities, or simply spend time in conversation. The program runs from March 23 through April 24, with a come-and-go celebration event scheduled for April 25 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Shelley Gromer, vice president of operations at Guest Home Estates and Briscoe’s practicum supervisor, supports the program.
“Many people focus only on the physical health of older adults,” Gromer said. “But mental health is just as important.”
Get involved: Contact Briscoe at dongyuanchen@gus.pittstate.edu
Social Work student Kayli Fox developed Polish with a Purpose, a volunteer event designed to support older adults facing social isolation in nursing home facilities.
The event will be held April 21 at 2 p.m. at Guest Home Estates in Pittsburg. Volunteers will provide basic manicures while engaging residents in conversation to promote connection and belonging.
Participants are asked to bring nail polish, nail polish remover, and hand lotion and plan to volunteer for approximately one hour.
Get involved: Contact Fox at krfox@gus.pittstate.edu
Combat veteran and Social Work student Jared Harlan launched Plan A Veteran Support, a peer-connection initiative aimed at reducing rural veteran suicide.
Monthly coffee gatherings are held the last Friday of each month from 8 to 9 a.m. at FACT, Inc. Nature Preserve in Frontenac, with monthly lunches on the second Thursday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. at The Pitt in Pittsburg.
“With veterans, there is a very narrow window from the time they are reaching out for help,” Harlan said. “Plan A’s goal is to step in before that window closes.”
All gatherings are free and open to veterans.
Get involved: Contact Harlan at jaredharlan@gus.pittstate.edu
Independence High School graduate and Social Work student Hannah Knight launched The Y.E.S. Fund (Youth Enrichment Support) to help students participate in extracurricular activities regardless of financial barriers.
“Being involved in sports built my confidence in such a lasting way,” Knight said. “It saddens me that some students may miss those same opportunities simply because they cannot afford them.”
Donations will support students during the 2026–27 school year, covering fees, uniforms, equipment, and related costs. The fundraiser concludes May 2.
Get involved: Contact Knight at knightnh21@gmail.com
Social Work student and amateur blacksmith Cameron Schmitz of Parsons is raising funds to support individuals recovering from addiction through a creative, skill‑based fundraiser.
After getting sober three years ago, Schmitz said he felt compelled to help others facing similar challenges. Using his talents as a metal artist, he designed and hand‑forged a campfire cooking set that will be given away as the prize in a charity drawing.
Funds raised will be used to purchase SMART Recovery manuals for individuals working toward sobriety with limited resources. The manuals will be distributed through the Labette Center for Mental Health Services in Parsons and the Community Health Center of Pittsburg and made available free of charge to individuals in need. Schmitz aims to raise $3,000, which would provide approximately 200 recovery manuals.
The prize drawing will take place live on Facebook on April 27.
Get involved: Contact Cameron Schmitz at cjschmitz@gus.pittstate.edu
Social Work student Lucy Ashens is raising funds to assemble art-supply baskets for children who are survivors of sexual abuse and receiving services at the Children’s Center. Each basket will include items such as a clay modeling kit, a journal, colored pencils, and a pencil sharpener.
Because creative expression can support emotional healing, Ashens hopes the supplies will help prevent worsening mental health symptoms and provide an outlet for self-expression.
Ashens aims to raise $500 by April 20 and is accepting donations through Cash App, PayPal, GoFundMe, and cash contributions.
Get involved: Contact Ashens at aashens@gus.pittstate.edu
Social Work student and Nevada (Missouri) High School graduate Lydia Ast is raising funds to support the school’s quiet room — a designated space where students can de‑escalate and cope with mental health challenges.
“Ensuring that resources are available for students in the quiet room makes me feel that I am contributing to the current and future students at Nevada High School,” Ast said.
Funds raised will help provide additional calming resources for students during moments of emotional distress.
Get involved: Contact Ast at last@gus.pittstate.edu
Social Work student Augustina Bosompim launched the Papayε Project to support refugee families served by Refugee and Immigrant Services & Education (RAISE) in Joplin.
“Even in a peaceful country, starting over without family, friends, familiar food, and sometimes without the ability to speak the native language can be scary,” Bosompim said.
The fundraiser responds to reductions in public benefits that have made basic necessities more difficult to afford for many refugee families. The project aims to raise at least $1,000 between March 16 and April 30 to support up to 40 families.
Get involved: Donate at raisecommunity.org/donate or contact Bosompim at abosompim@pittstate.gus
Social Work student Haley Weber also is partnering with RAISE to collect food, supplies, and donations for refugee families who have lost or had food benefits restricted.
Collection boxes are available April 1 through May 1 in the Overman Student Center and Whitesitt Hall. Weber will also host a bake sale and donation drive during Third Thursday on April 16 in downtown Joplin.
Get involved: Contact Weber at hkweber@gus.pittstate.edu.
Social Work student Alexis McRay fundraised to purchase home safety items for survivors of intimate partner violence, with all proceeds and donated items distributed through the Parsons Police Department’s Domestic Violence Unit.
A victim advocate noted that providing immediate resources offers survivors visible relief during crisis situations.
Get involved: Contact McRay at amcray@gus.pittstate.edu.
Social Work student Halie Neal is collecting personal hygiene items and monetary donations for Soul’s Harbor of Joplin, a shelter serving unhoused and low-income individuals and families.
The drive runs through April 26 and aims to collect 1,500 items. Donations will help stock Soul’s Harbor’s free store, which provides essentials to community members in need.
Get involved: Contact Neal at hneal@gus.pittstate.edu
Social Work student Madeleine Warren is collecting hygiene products and monetary donations for adults with disabilities living in residential facilities across Jasper County, Missouri.
Donation bins are located on campus at Axe Library and Russ Hall, as well as at The Balkan in downtown Pittsburg. Tabling events are scheduled for March 24 and March 30.
Get involved: Contact Warren at madeleine.warren@gus.pittstate.edu
Graduate Social Work student Allaina Spencer created Disconnect to Connect, a two‑week challenge encouraging college students to reduce screen time and strengthen real‑world connections.
The challenge runs April 4 to April 18 and includes selected reduction skills, along with optional pre‑ and post‑surveys to measure impact.
Get involved: Visit https://discontocon.my.canva.site or contact Spencer at amspencer@gus.pittstate.edu
Graduate Social Work student Kuturah TuTu Jackson launched the Calm & Comfort Kits Project to support children entering psychiatric residential treatment at Kansas Renewal Institute in Fort Scott.
Each kit includes a small stuffed animal, fidget toy, journal, and socks — items shown to help ease anxiety and support emotional regulation during a stressful transition.
“Many of the children who enter our program are experiencing one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives,” said KRI Clinical Director David Hancock. “These welcome kits are a meaningful way to help ease that transition.”
Get involved: Contact Jackson at kbjackson@gus.pittstate.edu
Social Work student and local artist Mona Jurshak partnered with Pittsburg Bread Co. and TOAST restaurant to support Spread the L❤️AF, a community-driven effort addressing food insecurity by providing artisan bread to local food pantries.
Community members can purchase original artwork created for the initiative or donate funds to increase bread distribution.
Get involved: Contact Jurshak at mjurshak@gus.pittstate.edu
Graduate Social Work student Jaime O’Reilly will host an In Her Shoes event April 24 as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month to raise awareness and recruit SANE advocates.
Advocates support sexual assault survivors in Joplin hospitals and complete a one-day training. No medical background is required.
Lafayette House, founded in 1979, provides services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and operates a substance use treatment program for women with children.
Get involved: Contact O’Reilly at joreilly@gus.pittstate.edu
