“I didn’t realize that this could make such a difference to someone,” said a nursing student at the College of St. Catherine.

It’s a sentiment shared by many of her peers as they conduct foot care clinics at Catholic Charities’ Dorothy Day Center.

The foot care clinics were developed as a service-learning project to fill a great need for homeless guests at the Center who are continually on their feet. Guests have their feet washed, massaged and assessed during the bi-weekly clinics.

St. Kate’s collaboration with the Dorothy Day Center is an enlightening, out-of-classroom experience that “melds the social justice mission of the college with the passion that nursing students have to make a difference,” said Patricia Schoon, professor at the college.

“Students can hear or read about poverty, but it’s not the same as working with people in need. The clinics are a very powerful, life-altering experience,” said Schoon.

It's an experience that breaks the myths and stereotypes of homelessness for many students.

“I didn’t realize how easy it is to become homeless”
Students change their perceptions when they meet people like Anthony,* an elderly, disabled man who had been wading through the paperwork process for nine months to obtain disability assistance.

As nursing students washed his feet, they learned that Anthony had worked for over 30 years, owned a house and raised several children – but had lost his house when he became disabled.

Students come away from the clinics having learned many things, said Schoon. “Many say, ‘I didn’t realize how easy it is to become homeless.’”

*Name changed for privacy

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