A group of students spent Friday night on the campus of Kansas State University Polytechnic working at an effort of “Keeping Salina Warm”. Students from the school’s social work program gathered in, and outside, the Student Life Center on campus to bring awareness to homelessness.
“Keeping Salina Warm” was a simulation, where participants learned what it was like to be without adequate shelter on a cold night. It was designed to make people think twice about the local homeless population, and what they go through.
Social Work Instructor Cheryl Calhoun told KSAL News that the “Keeping Salina Warm” effort was the result of classwork, and a class project.
Stacy Crumble is a senior from Hutchinson in the social work program. She told KSAL News that they were not only raising awareness, but also collecting things like gloves, coats, and hats to donate to local organizations that help the homeless. Those organizations include the Ashby House, the Domestic Violence Association of Central Kansas, and the Salina Rescue Mission.
Macy Schneweis is a graduate of the KSU social work program in Salina. Schneweis, who now works professionally for St. Francis Community Services in Salina told KSAL News that the program did a great job of preparing her for the real world of social work. She said that right now there is a shortage of social workers locally, and across the country.
Calhoun said that homelessness does exist in Salina, and it is a much bigger problem than most people realize. She added that the event was also designed to bring awareness to the three organizations, the Ashby House, the Domestic Violence Association of Central Kansas, and the Salina Rescue Mission. She said that all three are always in need of donations.
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