School psychology students deliver supplies for hurricane relief

October 24, 2016

Pictured (l-r): School Psychology Graduate Students Emily Cameron, Jessica Miller, and Courtney Smith.

Hurricane Matthew left behind a trail of destruction in coastal regions of Georgia, and Savannah was no exception. As a result, many families experienced flooding, power outages, downed trees, and loss of valuable food and supplies.

Leaders from the school psychology program and School Psychology Student Association (SPSA) at Georgia Southern University’s College of Education knew immediately that they wanted to help.

“When we found out that many students and families in Savannah had been displaced from their homes in the wake of Hurricane Matthew, we coordinated a donation drive to aid in the storm relief efforts,” said Jessica Miller graduate assistant for the school psychology program and volunteer coordinator for SPSA. “As aspiring school psychologists, we understand how difficult learning can be when a student’s basic needs are not being met.”

SPSA members and school psychology faculty reached out to Communities in Schools of Savannah and Silk Hope Church to see what they could do to help.

“With the help of the Georgia Southern community, we were able to collect over 275 items to support families in Savannah,” said Miller. “We want to give a big thank you to everyone who contributed, your generosity is tremendously appreciated!”

On Friday, October 21, Miller and several students from the school psychology program, including Emily Cameron, Courtney Smith, and Colin Laudino, delivered four large boxes of clothing, school supplies, personal care items, and non-perishable foods for students and families who were impacted by the storm.

SPSA and the school psychology program partner together each spring and fall semester to coordinate a service project focusing on local schools or agencies that support children. The purpose of SPSA is to present the University’s school psychology graduate students as a unified body in order to discuss topics that affect our students, both professionally and academically. Additionally, SPSA strives to promote ethical leadership, academic achievement, and civic responsibility among its members.

For more information about the Ed.S. School Psychology degree program, visit https://coe.georgiasouthern.edu/espy