Occupational Therapy Student Hopes to Shed Light on Homelessness Through Nov. 17 Storytelling Event

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Occupational therapy doctoral student Haley Smith at New Beginnings NWA.

An occupational therapy doctoral student working with residents at a Northwest Arkansas transitional housing program hopes to increase respectful understanding of people experiencing homelessness through an event at the Fayetteville Public Library from 5-6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17.

The public and campus community are invited.

Haley Smith one of three occupational therapy students completing their doctoral capstone experiences at New Beginnings NWA, earning clinical hours toward their degrees in occupational therapy, a joint program between the U of A and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. After working with residents at New Beginnings NWA, a bridge housing community, Smith decided to organize a platform for residents to discuss the realities of living without a home. The event will serve as the culmination of her capstone doctoral project, which focuses on increasing the psychological well-being and self-efficacy of residents participating in her program.

Through the storytelling event, Smith hopes participants feel empowered by being part of the planning process and developing skills such as accountability, socializing, goal-setting and promoting overall positive occupational change with their stories.

"At the event, residents at New Beginnings will be on stage telling their real and raw stories," she said. "The hope is that those in attendance increase their respectful understanding of individuals who experience homelessness."

During the brainstorming phase for her capstone project in December 2021, Smith and other students in her cohort met with New Beginnings' program director, Solomon Burchfield. Subsequent meetings with Burchfield and other staff members gave Smith the idea to organize the event.

Sherry Muir, department head of the occupational therapy doctoral program, said that working with people in transitional housing is an emerging practice area among occupational therapists in Arkansas. This type of intervention can have a significant impact on communities, she said.

"I cannot tell you how proud I am of these students," Muir said. "I have asked them how and why they had the courage to create these innovative projects, and their answers made me cry. They told me their classes prepared them, but the OTD faculty inspired them."

Smith graduated from Missouri Southern State University in Joplin with a degree in health promotion and wellness but decided to pursue a degree in occupational therapy at her mother's recommendation.

"She is a special education teacher and mentioned the idea to me," Smith said. "Luckily, I went with it and fell in love."