About the Department

People who care (PWC) was established in 1968 by a group of student volunteers who felt a need to serve some of the less fortunate members of our community.

PWC is staffed by two to four student coordinators who do general office duties and coordinate the group’s events. The volunteers are composed entirely of students, both freshmen and upperclassmen. All students are encouraged to participate.

For more information, please contact David Self ( ), the program manager, at 985-6128.

What Does PWC Do?

PWC holds activities on Saturday afternoons so they do not interfere with classes and academics. We visit various facilities in Berea and the surrounding area on a regular basis. Visits primarily consist of some type of recreation and conversation with the residents and clients of these facilities. We also serve refreshments.

Where Does PWC Go?

Here are some of the places we visit:

• Berea Health Care Center (nursing home) in Berea. Activities consist of holding conversations with the residents in the lobby or in their rooms, serving refreshments, singing hymns, playing games and reading to residents.

• Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in Lexington, KY. This hospital specializes in operations for children, particularly on their limbs. The children are always delighted for people to visit. Some come from other countries and may not have any family in the area. Activities include visiting in their rooms and interacting in the recreation room or outdoors.

• Spousal Abuse Center, a safe house located south of Berea. Two parties a year. One at Christmas and a birthday party in the spring.

• Oakwood Training Center, located in Somerset. This facility if for younger mentally and physically handicapped persons. We work specifically with one boys’ and one girls’ cabin. Generally, we take them to the gymnasium and play games such as basketball and Frisbee, or do face painting.

• Cystic Fibrosis Fund Raiser. In the spring, PWC holds a fund raising dance for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. During this event, volunteers raise money with a raffle. Door prizes, donated by local businesses, are included in the raffle. All proceeds go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

• Other Activities. PWC volunteers also make themselves available, whenever possible, to help anyone in need who can benefit from their services. Some of the other places visited include the Pentecostal Children’s Home, the Methodist Children’s Home, Eastern State Hospital (mental facility) and the Rockcastle Respiratory Center.

What Can You Do?

Nothing extraordinary is required of anyone who wants to be a part of PWC. There are no fees, applications, or obligations to attend every outing (though they do appreciate regular volunteers). All one needs is a caring heart along with a will to serve those with special needs.

How Do You Join?

You can reach one of our coordinators at extension 3136, CPO 2170, or drop by our office in the Bruce-Trades Complex, 2nd floor. Once you are on our mailing list you will receive memos that will keep you informed of our activities. Please volunteer today!