For the second year, OTA students in the Student Occupational Therapy Assistant (SOTA) Club at ฮ็านพ็ณก East Liverpool celebrated โApril is OT Monthโ with a community project to serve the House of Grace, a ministry of Grace City Church in East Liverpool.
During April, the students led a donation drive on campus to collect much-needed items for the facility, including menโs shirts and jeans. Each student also donated 10 canned goods, a four-pack of toilet tissue and two dozen baked brownies.
On April 19, the students spent the day assisting visitors in the clothing rooms and food pantry; preparing and serving lunch; and socializing with those who were seeking help.
Kathy Swoboda, academic program director of the OTA program at ฮ็านพ็ณก East Liverpool, explained that the students are enrolled in the โOccupational Performance in Mental Healthโ class, which teaches them how to serve the underserved in communities.
โThis is such a heartwarming and eye-opening experience for the students,โ she said. โI am thrilled that they want to continue reaching out to the community in this way.โ
The House of Grace was initiated by Pastors Jeff and Lisa Smith. It is open five days a week to provide food, clothing and meals to those in need.
Cutline A: Pictured with some of their collections are (from left) Sarah Mondak, Abbey Eye, Nicole Grimm, Brianna Spirk, Jessica Schnieder and Hannah Bowers.
Cutline B: OTA students with volunteers from the House of Grace and Pastor Lisa Smith (center).