Stand Up for Your Sister and My Brother’s Keeper are Residence Life events seeking to promote authenticity and community on campus. These events will take place Thursday, Oct. 8, at 8 p.m. in the Chapel and Harvey Hall respectively.
These events provide students with a safe space to speak up about their struggles. Students are invited to ask questions to a panel of older men and women during the event as well.
As each event encourages students to speak up about their struggles, it cultivates hope by shedding light on difficult topics and by creating a tight knit community grounded in vulnerability.
“One goal of the event is to speak openly among men about issues and struggles that men may deal with,” said Kevin Morgan, assistant resident director of Heritage dorms. “Another is to send that message that no one is alone in their struggle.”
Stand Up for Your Sister and My Brother’s Keeper seek to educate students about how common these issues can be among young adults. There is no shame in sharing what Christ has delivered us from.
Ashley Akerson, resident director for the Heritage dorms, opened up about her feelings attending Stand Up For Your Sister for the first time. She stated that she felt alone, but she realized how cared for she was by all the women in attendance, setting her at ease and opening her heart to be vulnerable with them.
“We care for our sisters and walk with them,” Akerson said.
These events provide students with a time to share their stories and discuss topics that are typically overlooked or avoided out of fear of judgement.
“Everything is anonymous, so no one knew it was me, which made me feel safe,” said sophomore education major and resident advisor Krista Robertson, who attended the women’s event last fall.
“The testimonies of other women on campus made it more authentic and created a comfortable environment to be vulnerable and share our stories without being ashamed.”
The events will center around an activity that has all women in attendance stand up for their sister. The events show anonymously how many people have struggled with or are currently struggling with the same issues to solidify the message that no one is alone in their struggle.
Both events will be adjusted to practice safe social distancing guidelines, such as new locations than in years past and the use of technology instead of paper and pencils to prevent potential germ transfer.
There will be Zoom links available for both events for students in quarantine or who are unable to attend.
