The halls and classrooms of St. Benedict Child Development Center were the site of a recent Health Fair for East Coast Migrant Head Start families thanks to 40 nursing students from Gannon University. “These students are juniors in our GU Villa Maria School of Nursing program and are working toward their Bachelor of Nursing degree,” explained faculty member Lisa Quinn. “In teams of three, all the students have worked on site at St. Benedict’s twice as part of their pediatric rotation. They covered 13 areas of concern including dental care, nutrition, fevers and germs, and safety issues such as fire, poison, and water safety.”
For the Fair each group of students created a display that focused on one of the areas of concern and included instructional and interactive materials for children and parents. They were on hand to interact with the families and answer questions. Nursing students Angela Breter, Sarah Burhenn, and Autumn Comi, spoke positively about the overall experience and expressed amazement at the children’s imagination and ability to cross communication barriers. “It didn’t matter that they spoke different languages, they played together and communicated without language,” said Autumn. “Yes, and I was in a classroom with an aide who is deaf, and all the children have learned sign language. They were trying to teach us, too!” added Sarah. “It was cool to be with the children and to see how their imaginations work, they absorb so much,” said Angela. Other students at different displays had similar comments about their work at the Center and the new perspectives the children gave them on human development.
In addition to the educational displays and interaction with the nursing students, families had the opportunity to win prizes including a television, a car seat, and other large and small ticket items. Every family also received a gift and a bag of food.
This is the second year St. Benedict Child Development Center has benefited from this program that is funded by the Stackpole Foundation out of St. Marys, PA. “The benefit to our families as well as to the Gannon students from a program like this is invaluable,” said Center director Carrisa Kepple. “I’m especially grateful to the Stackpole Foundation because I’m from St. Marys and know how much the Foundation strives to do good.”
