Homeless children are getting some help from students at the University of Mary.

Members of the Harold Schafer Leadership Academy emerging leaders in human services created a program to help homeless children.

They created Campus 2 Community College 2 Children for students, faculty and student organizations to donate items for homeless children in Burleigh and Morton counties. Last year they served 77 students, and so far this year they have served 48 students.

"Some really need basics and others are doing a bit better," said Nancy Kleingartner, program adviser and social work associate adviser.

Members of the group will speak at 11 a.m. today in Heskett Hall at the school, as part of the weekly convocation series. It is open to the public.

A University of Mary senior will discuss her recent work with the homeless in Guatemala; another senior will detail her experiences in a Denver homeless shelter; a young Bismarck woman, who was homeless for seven years, will discuss her experiences and two U-Mary students will talk about the program they started to benefit Bismarck Public Schools students who are in transition or homeless.

The program is aimed at educating people about homelessness and helping homeless students. The members of the group educate students by speaking to them about homelessness and the program during student organization meetings. Helping students entails gathering sponsors and donations for homeless students.

"They need food, but also love and compassion," senior Mary Sandness said.

Students are evaluated for what they need, and rated on a model, called basic, emotional-educational, social support and talent.

The student's needs are rated in these areas, and how people can help them is based on how it helps these areas, senior Lori Dougherty said.

No one meets the homeless students. All items, from toothbrushes to books and cards, are dropped off at Kleingartner's office.

Because college students have a limited budget, the items to help the students do not have to cost money, Sandness said. What is important is providing something every month for the homeless student.

"We don't want someone to give (a child) support, then drop off and then start supporting them again," Sandness said. "We want them to know there is always something coming."

People and organizations are committed to six months, but can do it for longer. Because homeless students can move out of the community, sometimes people or organizations need to be reassigned a child.

An application is part of the sponsorship process.

It asks for names and contact information, as well as how the person would be willing to help. For more information about the program, send an e-mail to c2c-c2c@;hotmail.com.

(Reach reporter Sara Kincaid at 250-8251 or sara.kincaid@;bismarck-tribune.com.)