100 students from Purdue University Calumet’s Center for Learning and Academic Success will be putting together Mother’s Day Care Kits for women residing in local domestic violence shelters. The project will take place on Friday, April 24th on the PUC campus. The kits will be donated to Haven House, St. Jude’s, and The Caring Place domestic violence shelters.
“At Purdue University Calumet, engaging undergraduate students in the community through experiential learning opportunities is a focal point. Collaborating with United Way on the PUC CLAS Day of Caring event promotes the significance of civic engagement and serves as a valuable connection to our Northwest Indiana community,” said Linda Atkinson-Pettee, Senior Retention Advisor for the Center for Learning and Academic Success.
PUC and Lake Area United Way teamed up last fall for another student volunteer opportunity which involved over 200 students going into Hammond elementary school classrooms and reading to the children. “Volunteer projects like reading to children or packing kits for domestic violence victims really help the students learn about what is going on in their communities. Last fall we had a number of students tell us they were considering a career in teaching after spending time with the elementary school kids. We’re hoping this time around we can open their eyes to the realities of domestic violence in Lake County and what they can do to help,” said LAUW President & CEO Lisa Daugherty. According to the most recent data available by the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 566 victims of domestic violence were served in Lake County alone during 2012 to 2013.
The PUC students also went a step farther then just volunteering by holding a supply drive in order to raise the items needed to fill the baskets. The students will fill 100 baskets that will be distributed between the three shelters.