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Northeast nursing students assist with effort to help families in need

Northeast nursing students assist with effort to help families in need

NORFOLK, Neb. – Nursing students at Northeast Community College participated in a one-day, one-stop event, open to individuals and families who are homeless or near homeless, that provided a wide variety of immediate, on-site services and support for unmet needs at no charge to them.

Project Homeless Connect, which began in San Francisco and has extended to over 220 communities, works with individuals and families in need in areas such as housing, healthcare, legal resources, Social Security, food-stamp benefits, and employment.

Project Homeless Connect Norfolk offered a number of services under one roof. Each individual who participated was assigned a navigator who helped them identify their top needs and assisted them throughout the event. Before leaving, each individual had an exit plan that included any follow-up or additional appointments and resources. 

Over 500 household members received services during the event.

The Northeast students and Michelle Kuehner, nursing instructor, assisted by taking height and weight measurements, blood pressure readings, and served as navigators during the event held at Our Savior Lutheran Church. They joined representatives from medical providers, governmental and non-profit agencies, local businesses, volunteer groups, legal experts and many others to offer on-site immediate assistance to individuals who otherwise may not be able to access services.

Kuehner said the Norfolk event not only gave the students a chance to serve their community, it also made them more aware of the resources provided to those who may be in need in the community.

“It was an eye-opening experience for the students to see how many individuals are impacted by poverty, but on the other hand to see the resources that our available in our community,” Kuehner said. “Having knowledge of these resources will help students in their future nursing career as they care for other clients. It was a great opportunity to practice communication skills as well as basic nursing skills.”

To learn more about Project Homeless Connect Norfolk, go online to projecthomelessconnectnorfolk.org/

 

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                                                                         PHOTO CUTLINE

 

Michelle Kuehner, nursing instructor at Northeast Community College (front row, third from left), and several nursing students at the college participated in Project Homeless Connect Norfolk recently. The one-day, one-stop event that was open to individuals and families who are homeless or near homeless, provided a wide variety of immediate, on-site services and support for unmet needs at no charge to them. Students participating include (front row, from left) Tera Henkenius, Elgin; Megan Beck, Columbus; Kuehner; Mikayla Strickland, Norfolk; Juana Sanchez, Neligh; Mikaela Bloomquist; Wausa; Miranda Bendig, Atkinson. Pictured in the back row (from left) are Dinah Bialas, Lindsay; Mattie Dohmen, Monroe; Candance Clark, Norfolk; Brenda Halverson, Norfolk; and Jennifer Madison, Norfolk.