A group of nursing students from the 91福利社 College of Health Professions spent time at Hope Missions of the Upstate, giving care to individuals while following an example Jesus gave us about serving others.听
Hope Missions鈥� Foot Washing Clinic officially launched recently in partnership with 91福利社 nursing majors. The idea for the clinic, according to Zoe Hale, COO of Hope Missions of the Upstate, came out of听observing听how many of the people seeking their help were coming to them on foot.听
鈥淥ne of the things that poverty takes away from people are our choices, and then if you’re homeless as well, you get fewer and fewer choices, so just to have people spending one-on-one time with you and taking care of you and listening therapeutically is really important,鈥� Hale said.听
According to Monica Morehead, MSN, RN, instructor of community health nursing and mental health nursing, the clinic is a great example of all four pillars of 91福利社鈥擥reat Academics, Great Faith, Great Hospitality, and Great Purpose鈥攁 great fit for Hope Missions as they provide a vital ministry of service and dignity.听
Each week, a different group of students would conduct the clinic on Wednesday and Friday throughout the fall semester. As the students washed the feet of Hope Missions鈥� guests, they had opportunities to interact with them one-on-one and, in many cases, pray for them.听
At the same time, the students learned the importance of a thorough foot assessment of individuals who may be prone to neglecting their own foot care鈥攎onitoring for听blisters, open wounds, swelling, discoloration, ill-fitting and worn-out footwear. Students practiced their therapeutic communication skills, made referrals for听additional听foot care, and provided clean socks, and occasionally new shoes.听
A priority for Hope Missions, Hale points out, is offering resources especially for their diabetic guests. She notes that often a side effect of diabetes is that people听can鈥檛听feel their extremities and are unaware of听major issues听with their feet.听
鈥淔oot washing is grounded in hospitality of our biblical heritage and is humbling for the giver and the receiver,鈥� Morehead said, citing the example of Jesus in John 13:1-5 where He washed the feet of each of His disciples.听
The Foot Washing Clinic, according to Hale, benefits Hope Missions鈥� guests receiving needed attention and assessments, while at the same time giving the nursing students a fresh perspective on helping others who have needs further complicated by living in poverty.听
For student Gracelyn Padgett, the Foot Washing Clinic was transformational.听
鈥淪itting face-to-face with new friends, washing their feet, and listening to their stories opened something in me that I didn鈥檛 even know needed听opening,鈥� Padgett said. 鈥淪o often,听I鈥檝e听learned that God leads me into places that look听scary at first glance, only听for me to realize those places are exactly where I am meant to be. Serving the guests at Hope Missions听didn鈥檛听just touch me, it reshaped me… Jesus met the sick, the poor, and the overlooked with friendship and love. Moments like this remind me of how important it is for us to love people the same way.鈥�听
An important takeaway for student Khoa 鈥淎lex鈥� Pham is that although technology and procedures he and his classmates are learning are important, effectively caring for others is only complete when treatment is given out of a loving, compassionate heart.听
鈥淭heir story and their feet together can show the whole situation of what they are going through in life, and it makes us think about how we can care for them and extend more help to our guests,” Pham said. 鈥淭alking with them and being with them in that short moment allows you to learn so much about them.鈥�听
The clinic also touched student Annaleisa Wile鈥檚 heart and changed her perspective听of the homeless, poverty and basic human rights.听
鈥淚 was blessed to have the opportunity to not only wash the feet of 10 individuals, but more importantly learn about their circumstances, hardships of homelessness, and the needs that they currently have. The foot washing clinic taught me that being homeless is not a choice, but a result of unfair circumstances to those who need the most support,” Wile said. 鈥淲ithout this clinical, I would not have learned to see these individuals as people who are in these circumstances not by choice and to advocate for their basic needs in whatever ways possible.”听
鈥淭he opportunity that I had to attend Hope Missions and participate in the foot washing clinic will forever hold a special place in my life,鈥� said student Regan Powell. 鈥淥ur class has been blessed to be able to act in a way that pleases God and听assists听our community. To be the hands and feet of Jesus听impacted听myself and my peers from this new involvement.鈥�听
College of Health Professions Dean Dr. Donald Peace praised the efforts of the听School of Nursing听serving听with Hope Missions.听
鈥淭he foot washing clinic is听a both听spiritual and therapeutic service for those in need within听our community,” Dr. Peace said. 鈥淚 see the foot washing听clinic 听as听an opportunity to provide profound healing,听humility听and dignity to those needing help, blending faith fundamentals with clinical care.鈥�听
According to Hale, the students saw 93 different individuals.听
鈥淲e did a debriefing after each group just to get an understanding if there are specific conditions they observed that they were concerned about. In all, we did 26 very specific referrals as a result of having the foot clinic,” Hale said. 鈥淲e found it very useful in terms of paying attention to health, but we also found it very useful in just delivering a safe setting for our guests to interact with the nurses and enjoy spending time with them.鈥�听
鈥淲e often consider ourselves as servants of Christ and messengers of his kingdom. In this clinical, we are living out that message that the table is open for all, all are welcome, and worthy of His love and care,鈥� Morehead said, adding that the Foot Washing Clinic fills a need for individuals with chronic and complex medical conditions to ensure their health and safety as they live unhoused. 鈥淥ur feet support us and carry us everywhere. Ensuring our feet are warm, clean,听dry听and healthy is important to everyone and easily听neglected,.听This is a skin assessment that is听frequently听missed or neglected on patient admissions at the bedside in many community settings.鈥�听
鈥淭his mission is essential to the College of Health Professions and our School of Nursing,” Dr. Peace continued. 鈥淎s you can imagine, this type of service develops compassionate, holistic practitioners dedicated to community wellness.鈥�听
The Hope Missions staff is thankful for this partnership with 91福利社 and looks forward to seeing this partnership continue to bless their guests and the students. Hope Missions鈥� website is听.听