In response to COVID19, graduating Kinesiology students, Sunwon Jessica Kim, Paniz Shirkhanlou, and Cierrah DiCesare are demonstrating the KIN spirit of service to others. They are true Kin Community Champions who are walking the talk by rolling up their sleeves and assisting a particularly vulnerable, and often invisible community – that of women and children who are victims of domestic violence. The three KIN students began a volunteer donation drive under the name, Share to Care, to gather Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for non-profit shelters for women and children. The women’s shelters they are supporting include the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre, the Nova Transition House, and BC Women’s Health Foundation.
“These organizations are at high risk for community infections and their needs for PPE are critical since they are subject to high traffic in confined areas. Social distancing is crucial at this time; however, staying home is not possible for women and children who experience domestic violence and harsh conditions. Families seeking a safe place need to be protected not only from the violence but also from the pandemic. As the shelters are still fully operational and providing full meal services, they are in dire need of PPE supplies to keep their staff and the women and children they serve safe. However, shelters are often overlooked when help is needed since they often remain out of the public eye,” explains @SharetoCare founder, Sunwon Jessica Kim.
The list of items required includes masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and sanitizing wipes. Due to the rapidly evolving circumstances with COVID-19, ShareToCare has quickly expanded to promote both cloth masks and monetary donations to meet its affiliated organizations’ needs. Paniz Shirkhanlou, states that many of their “donations are coming from generous health care professionals, primarily dentists.”
Our mission is to advocate for, and support those experiencing double disadvantages during this outbreak. Women and children who are unable to maintain self-isolation or quarantine in their own homes due to violence or safety threats should not worry about their health and safety once they are in a shelter’s care.
If you are interested in donating to this worthy group please contact: sharetocaresunwonjessicakim@gmail.com
ShareToCare Instagram Page
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Sunwon Jessica Kim, 4th Year Kinesiology Student, Interdisciplinary stream.
Sunwon Jessica Kim is a 4th-year Kinesiology student graduating this May, and is the person who built the SharetoCare team. Sunwon is also a Certified Dental Assistant who will be applying to the UBC DMD program upon graduation.
Sunwon demonstrates leadership and service to the community. She says “as a student of human health and a healthcare professional who believes and understands the importance of preventive measures, I wanted to help prevent/minimize the community spread of COVID-19.
In addition to ShareToCare, Sunwon has gone even further in her service to the community at this time by volunteering at the Vancouver Aboriginal Health Society (VAHS)’s dental clinic to help serve emergency patients as a CDA during the pandemic. She explains, “because most dental practices are closed or have limited their operations at this time, the VAHS’s dental clinic is organizing the details of its operation for dental emergencies with the British Columbia Dental Association (BCDA). Since the N95 mask fit test with the VAHS’ dental team on April 10, I am ready to jump in to alleviate dental emergencies during COVID-19.
Sunwon adds, “It is my belief that humanity needs to be respected especially during times like this. And, I am enormously grateful for my journey at UBC School of Kinesiology where I further cultivated such important values through academics and diverse peer interactions.”
Upon graduation, Sunwon will be applying to the UBC DMD program.
Paniz Shirkhanlou, 4th Year Kinesiology Student, Interdisciplinary stream.
Paniz is a 4th-year Kinesiology student and is an American PFTA personal trainer. Volunteering in several different hospitals, senior care centers, and clinics since high school has taught her that “small contributions to our communities can result in meaningful changes. Thus, I’m a firm believer in thinking globally but acting locally. In today’s world, COVID 19 is a global issue; however, I believe every individual has the power to help the pandemic by taking modest steps towards supporting the neighboring community.” Paniz intends to apply for UBC DMD program upon our graduation.
Cierrah DiCesare, 4th Year Kinesiology Student, Interdisciplinary stream.
Cierra is graduating with her BKin in May. When she’s not studying or raising funds she is volunteering in local physiotherapy clinics and hospitals, and playing soccer matches. She has her eyes set on competing in the Great Canadian Bake Off some day! But her immediate plans are to do her masters in public health upon graduating from Kinesiology.
She states, “as we all move forward, developing our new ‘normals’ and reevaluating our life plans, we also have a chance to come together globally, in a way that is unprecedented in this generation. We are living history right now; I want it to be a story of humanity, compassion and hope. That is why I am honoured to be a part of ShareToCare, and proud to have these fellow “kinners” as my friends. It speaks to the kind of community collaboration UBC is known for.”