HYS Registered Nurse Lisa Coplin displays various footcare tools she utilizes at the homeless youth programs.
Homeless Youth Services (HYS) Registered Nurse Lisa Coplin, started at Looking Glass in June of 2026, as the PEER Shelter Register Nurse. Coplin wanted to give back to her community and joined the organization after working 22 years in acute care.
“At Looking Glass, I have the opportunity to connect with our guests one on one and meet them where they are by creating an environment where their healthcare needs are met,” explained Coplin. Her responsibilities expanded beyond just providing support for PEER and she became the HYS Registered Nurse.
HYS RN Lisa Coplin’s Supply Closet
Coplin oversees client intakes, supervises 8 Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA), tailors education plans and healthcare kits, and provides Over-The-Counter (OTC) support. On Fridays, from 11 - 2, Coplin visits New Roads to connect with guests that may not receive consistent healthcare. During her visits, Coplin often stresses the importance of foot care.
“Our feet take us everywhere we go,” Coplin stressed. “A small problem can quickly interfere with comfort; comfort interferes with mobility, and if you can’t be mobile your limbs, blood, and overall health begins to fail.”
The winter season increases the likelihood of infections and gangrene due to cold and wet feet trapping moisture. Coplin explained that when you cannot dry your feet and socks, you increase the likelihood of blisters, infections, cracks, fungus and reduce sensitization.
Coplin recommends a wash, dry, inspect, and protect solution. By regularly cleaning and drying your feet, you reduce the odds of infection and return autonomy to your own overall healthcare. Coplin suggests guest “Know Normal” or understanding what one’s own state of normal is. However, this can be difficult when our guests may be unhoused, lack transportation, or don’t have the resources to protect their feet.
HYS RN Lisa Coplin’s Footcare Essentials Kit
Coplin asks the community for help by considering donating:
socks for each guest. Multiple pairs allow one to still wear a clean warm set while they inspect the quality of another pair.
Foot creams and Epsom salt packs also help with reducing the impacts of blisters and infections.
Nail clippers can help guests prevent ingrown toenails as they can also cause skin lesions.
Lastly, a wide variety of shoe sizes are needed, specifically sizes above 11, can help guests have the means to comfortably protect their feet.
Ultimately, Coplin hopes to create an essentials kit for guests so they can be better prepared. She also hopes to create educational materials for guests so they can develop the knowledge to recognize a problem before it gets worse.
Your support during our Socktoberfest and Winter Donation Drives helps brings us closer to Coplin’s vision that every guest deserves preventative footcare.