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A recent graduate of Fort Peck Community College (FPCC), Kathy is raising several of her grandchildren. Recently, they had to move from their residence because the home was condemned. The community college helped them find another residence, but it was in poor condition.
Kathy provides home schooling for her grandchildren and it takes up a lot of her time and energy. With her meager income, she is able to provide only basic needs such as food and utilities. It was improbable that Kathy would be able to purchase supplies or hire help to make her home livable for her family.
As an FPCC student, Kathy was active in mentoring, tutoring and was instrumental in the development of the “student incentive closet.” The Student Support Services department utilizes the closet to provide students with educational supplies and personal hygiene supplies, laundry soap, and clothing.
When the students at FPCC heard about their friend and co-student’s plight they decided to help, and enlisted the support from the Ft. Peck Housing Authority, FPCC Building Trades Instructor (Brad Iwen), Sunrise Lumberyard, Poplar Schools Vista worker, FPCC Service Learning students, FPCC faculty and staff, as well as community members. The students welcomed donations of paint, wood, material, and labor.
Kathy and her grandchildren asked for help painting their kitchen, making their bathtub usable, and two of Kathy’s granddaughters wanted a pink bedroom. The girls did not have an area that was their own and were standing and using a small refrigerator as their study desk.
The students stepped into high gear and spent the next couple of weeks working hard. Kathy and her sister surprised the group by painting the kitchen one night. They wanted to show that they were just as committed to the project and thankful for the aid.
The group finished what they could and finished the project in June. When they presented the room to the little girls, their responses of, “It’s the most beautiful room ever,” “Now I can sit and do homework,” and “I love it,” made the day for everyone involved.
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