Projects
As president of our Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA), my life became very involved outside the classroom. Experience beyond the rigors of the program allowed for a more informal and relaxing encounter with the community and an opportunity to further develop friendships amongst our cohort. Here is a small sampling of projects our organization created and implemented.
Sensory Boards at St. Thomas the Apostle School Fall 2020
Our team created interchangeable wall boards utilizing a variety of textures to promote sensory integration in children through visual, tactile, auditory, and proprioceptive interaction.
Walk to End Alzheimer's 2021
Grand Rapids, MI
In an effort to bring awareness to the role occupational therapy plays with Alzheimer's disease as well as collect funds to continue research and awareness of the disease itself, our SOTA raised over $2,000 and participated with hundreds of others in walking to support the cause.
Cards for Seniors Winter 2021
This project bridged the gap between older adults and young children to promote awareness of our profession while building fine motor skills, executive function, and community integration.
Here we hosted a PDU course focused on early childhood development for a group of teachers in downtown Grand Rapids. A lecture was followed by a "make and take" session allowing participants to create tools to be utilized in their classrooms.
Methodist House Seminar Summer 2021
Matthew's House Winter Drive Fall 2021
In the fall of 2021, SOTA partnered with Matthew's house to collect tents, sleeping bags, and blankets for those dwelling in the cold winter elements. Together, our classmates collected over 35 tents, 72 sleeping bags, and 180 blankets for distribution throughout the greater Grand Rapids area.
MOKA x SOTA Fall 2021
Just before the holidays, we partnered with a fellow community resource, MOKA, to provide a space where adults diagnosed with intellectual or developmental disabilities could gather as a large group and participate in activities designed to enhance their communal experience. These activities included yoga, cookie decorating, assembling care packages for the homeless, designing character strengths boxes, making holiday cards, and participating in a coping skills bingo.
