Women find a place on campus to share experiences

By NYRIE KARKAZIAN

The Women’s Resource Center here on campus provides a place where women can go to feel safe, talk about whatever is on their minds and have someone listen.

The Center started because there was need on campus for a place where women could go and talk while in a safe environment. It is open for people to walk in whenever they want and talk to a counselor. No appointment is necessary.

Deborah Napoleon, a group facilitator and peer crisis counselor who has worked at the center for about five years, said that it gives people the opportunity to talk about different things in their lives.
“We just listen,” Napoleon said.

The center also provides discussion groups on campus where women can come and meet with counselors and other women.

The Women’s Brown Bag discussion group has been around for about 13 years and meets on Wednesdays at noon in the center. Another group that has been around for just as long is Sister to Sister, a black women’s discussion group that meets on Thursdays from noon to 1:30 p.m.

One of the newer discussion groups is the Women’s Coffee Hour on Thursdays from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m.

The coffee hour started last semester when counseling students suggested the idea to Francine Oputa, Coordinator of the Women’s Resource Center. So far it has proved to be successful and attracts about eight to 10 people every week.

Oputa said the groups are there to provide the women with more knowledge and information. They also feel support when they are going through personal crises by being able to talk these issues over with other women, Oputa said.

“In general when people feel like they belong, it helps. It makes them feel like they are a part of something,” Oputa said.

Another group that will be starting soon is a parent support group, which was requested by students.

Fliers for the group have already been posted and meetings will begin as soon as there are enough people interested.

All counselors go through weeks of extensive training in the center before helping in the meetings.

All group meetings are open to new members and all things discussed are kept highly confidential.

“Bring your lunch, opinions and needs,” Napoleon said.