Kat Yeaney believes helping others is about putting people first. She also believes that if people had more empathy for others, this world would be a better place. Yeaney’s actions demonstrate these beliefs of hers as she is currently working at a women’s shelter in Michigan City and majoring in social work at her university.
Yeaney, who lives in the La Porte area, is a residential technician at Stepping Stone Shelter for Women. She works four nights a week to help foster a safe living environment for the residents at the shelter. She also assists them in preparing for the next day and fielding questions for case management.
“A lot of what I like the most about working at Stepping Stone Shelter is having a normal interaction with somebody in a not normal situation – giving them a sense of normalcy in the midst of their chaos,” Yeaney said. “It’s really important to not focus on them as if they are only in a bad situation in life, but rather to be more open to empathy. I want to make sure I am giving back to them.”
Yeaney began working with Stepping Stone Shelter for Women through a donation campaign at Brad Hull – State Farm Insurance Agent in La Porte. Not only does Yeaney work at the shelter, but she is also a licensed team member at Brad Hull. Yeaney feels that it makes sense to have the donation campaign benefit Stepping Stone Shelter for Women because of Hull’s connection to the organization and the president of its board.
Yeaney contacted the administration at the shelter and discovered that not only did they need various items, but also additional staff members. At the time, Yeaney was working three days a week while attending college online. She saw this as an opportunity to serve others and offered to work four days a week.
“Shelters in the area are super understaffed and there just isn’t a lot of funding for employment,” Yeaney said. “Originally, it was just going to be for a month, but it turned into a wrap-up in August as I go back to school.”
Growing up, Yeaney said her family always donated time and supplies that they didn’t need. Giving to others was an important part of her childhood. The yearning to give back carried on throughout high school and into her area of study in college, which is social work related to medical sociology.
Yeaney knows firsthand some of the struggles that women and children face because she grew up in a single mother home and understands that there are a limited number of programs. Sometimes those in need can’t access the programs or are unaware that programs to assist them even exist.
“This was not just something to do but a way to give back,” Yeaney said. “I’m really passionate about public health education and understanding what we can do to help.”
As part of the team at Brad Hull – State Farm Insurance Agent in La Porte, Yeaney is a marketing coordinator. It’s not in her field of interest, but she has been licensed since she was 19 years old.
In August, Yeaney is headed to Indianapolis to attend Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Last year, she completed classes online because the pandemic caused a whirlwind for many college students. Yeaney took a step back to regather and work. At IUPUI, she will work toward a bachelor’s degree in social work with a focus on medical social work and public health. Her future plans are to become a case manager and work clinically in hospitals.