This year, Elizabethtown College social work majors are involved in the “Welcome Home Kit” program. The program is sponsored by Open Table Nashville, which, according to the organization’s official website, “is a non-profit, interfaith community that disrupts cycles of poverty, journeys with the marginalized and provides education about issues of homelessness.” Open Table Nashville provides furniture and assistance in the form of a “Welcome Home Kit” to individuals and families who are moving from the streets into housing. The social work students involved will travel to Nashville, Tenn. from March 1 to the 8 and stay in a church in Vanderbilt, Tenn.
The “Welcome Home Kit” provides the homeless with useful supplies. The supplies can include anything from dressers and couches to cleaning supplies. While in Tennessee, the students will volunteer at Thistle Farms and Open Table Ministries. One night they will cook dinner with together, along with helping them make their makeup products.
The agency Thistle Farms is a social enterprise run by the women of Magdalene. The women involved with the organization create organic bath and body products. Any purchase of Thistle Farms’ products directly benefits these women. It is a workplace where women obtain the skills they need to earn a living wage.
“I’m really excited to hear these women’s stories and see how far they have come,” sophomore Amanda Kiser said. “Since I am a social work major, this gives me an awesome experience to see what agencies like this can do and how they can help.” The women that are involved in these agencies have lives that are far from normal. Many have been homeless for quite some time, but they are looking to turn their situation around. Not only do these programs help during the process, but they provide hope to women who have been through so many various difficulties. The Etown students involved are willing to give up their own time to provide service to those who face challenges with the cost of living. Together, they give these women the help they need to prosper.
