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.
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