College of Nursing Students See Service on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
College of Nursing junior Simone Curd and fellow University of Kentucky students volunteer at The Nest in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 18.
While many students would spend their Martin Luther King Jr. holiday relaxing, our nursing students chose to give back. College of Nursing undergraduates Rachel Borgemenke and Simone Curd volunteered at the Nest Center for Women, Children and Families on Jan. 18 with fellow students from the University of Kentucky.
The Nest, a local nonprofit organization that provides a safe place for education, counseling and support to children and families in crisis, was formed in 1977 and has four separate programs free of charge that work together in a holistic approach: childcare, crisis care, domestic violence counseling and advocacy, and parent education and support.
Borgemenke worked with her group to organize donations and fill bags of clothes for children based on age and size. Curd cleaned and sanitized toys, playrooms, classrooms, shelves, books and other surfaces to avoid the spreading of sickness among children and families. After they helped, the volunteers gathered to reflect on how their service and The Nest continue MLK’s legacy.
“MLK was very big on access to education, especially for underprivileged populations," said Borgemenke. “The Nest's focus on collecting clothes is about giving students and adults alike the opportunity for achievement in the classroom and beyond."
This was Curd’s third year volunteering for MLK Day, as she had volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and the Catholic Action Center in years prior. “MLK Day is a great opportunity to give back to local non-profits in his name. Eight of us cleaned for four hours, allowing the teacher to focus on creating lesson plans for the children.”
Cincinnati native Borgemenke wishes to pursue a nursing career in pediatrics with a focus in hematology or oncology as her brother was diagnosed with hemophilia—a medical condition in which blood does not clot properly—at a young age.
Curd, a junior from Indianapolis, was immediately drawn to UK for its nursing program. She plans to work in pediatrics after graduation with the goal of a working in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
"Whether our nurses are in clinicals or in the community, it's always in their heart to give back, and that's what sets our leaders apart,” said Dr. Janie Heath, dean and Warwick Professor of Nursing.
The Nest is located at 530 N. Limestone St. and is open Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
