At the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, being a “force for good” isn’t just a phrase—it’s a guiding principle that students live by. Every month since 2022, occupational therapy (OT) students on the St. Augustine, FL campus have volunteered with the local nonprofit St. Francis House to make and serve food for families experiencing homelessness. What began as a simple initiative spearheaded by Assistant Professor Dr. Dana Madalon has since grown into a transformative community impact, with more than 1,200 meals served by students and countless lives touched.
How It All Began
Madalon’s journey with St. Francis House began when she and other faculty members visited the shelter to understand the community’s needs better. With each visit, Madalon and her husband prepared and served 50 meals, which became difficult to tackle alone, so she invited her students to join them. By spring 2022, the initiative blossomed into a monthly event, with students eagerly signing up to serve and make a real difference.
“I want the homeless community to have something hearty to eat,” Madalon says. “We make pigs in a blanket, twice-baked potatoes, and cookies, and the students bring fresh fruit—something not always available at food pantries.”
The students are responsible for preparing meals at home before coming together to serve them at St. Francis House. Their continued presence has made them a welcomed part of the shelter’s family.
Breaking Biases, Building Understanding
For Madalon, this initiative is about more than providing meals—it’s about recognizing and challenging the biases surrounding homelessness.
“There’s a lot of misconceptions about why people are homeless,” she says. “Until we understand their stories and experiences, we can’t begin to solve the issue.”
Many student volunteers have never stepped foot in a homeless shelter before, and seeing the reality up close influences their views on the community and their desire to be part of the solution as future OTs.
The Impact on the Community
The delicious, home-cooked meals are only part of the impact: the guests at St. Francis House look forward to the students’ monthly visits, and their consistent service has fostered camaraderie.
Madison, a student and community service chair for the Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA), reflects on the profound impact these connections had on her.
“Every time we walked in, the people were so excited to see us. The kids would thank us when they left—it was a meaningful experience.”
Small gestures, like serving a favorite dish, can bring immense joy to someone who may not expect it.
Student volunteer Clair recalls one man who had seen her on a previous visit requesting that she bring back twice-baked potatoes, a favorite staple supplied by students. “Seeing his smile and what something as simple as a twice-baked potato can do was so rewarding. It’s one small way of showing the community that OTs are here to help them.”
Inspiring the Next Generation of Occupational Therapists
For many students, volunteering at St. Francis House has influenced their career paths. Taylor, another dedicated student volunteer, was so inspired by her experience that she focused her capstone project on working with the homeless population.
“Seeing how OT can impact different populations made me want to do more,” she says.
Madison’s experience reinforced her passion for working with veterans, a significant portion of the homeless population.
Looking Toward the Future
Madalon is thrilled that recruiting volunteers is easy. By the end of the first week of a new term, SOTA’s sign-up sheet for St. Francis House volunteers is full. Madalon has also joined the St. Francis House board and regularly takes students on educational tours to deepen their understanding of homelessness.
“Dr. Madalon shows us the importance of giving back to the community, and that’s something I’ll carry with me into my career,” Clair says.
“We can only learn so much from our books,” Taylor adds. “Getting out there and helping—that’s what this profession is about.”
Through consistent engagement with individuals experiencing homelessness, these future healthcare professionals are making a tangible difference and being shaped by the compassion and connection that will define their careers.
