On Jan. 22, Crafts and Conversations took place in the Bird Cage from 3:30 p.m to 5 p.m. This event happens every Thursday and gives fellow Blue Jays a chance to connect with each other through a themed craft.
Crafts and Conversations is run by the office of Civil Rights and Title IX. At Elizabethtown College, making sure students can learn and live in a safe environment is the overall big goal. Title IX helps those who may be in a domestic relationship, dealing with domestic behavior, sexual assault/harassment and much more.
Jay Diaz, a senior environmental science major, is one of the main helpers for these events. “Crafts and Conversations has been a thing ever since 2022,” Diaz said. “The main purpose for these events is to promote open discussion about civil rights and Title IX.”
This week’s event was themed “Who is My Neighbor” and was centered around the National Day of Racial Healing. This day is set as a blueprint to build relationships with those who are different from us, and focusing on the fact that we are all human. There were two activities to choose from, drawing or writing a haiku. These two things help us slow down and focus on what actually matters the most in our lives. In continuation with this craft, next week those in attendance will be putting together a mosaic with the drawings and haikus that were made during this event.
According to Diaz, there has been an abundance of positive feedback from students for the event. “People are less nervous around [Civil Rights and Title IX Coordinator] Gabbie Reed, [Deputy Coordinator of Civil Rights and Title IX] Jennifer Frey and Darcey Mills the Director of Student Opportunity, Access & Engagement and feel more comfortable asking questions related to their offices,” Diaz said.
Each month has a different awareness that corresponds with it. The organization typically does a craft that corresponds with that awareness. “We go with the flow with crafts in between,” Diaz said. There is something for everyone, no matter what day you attend during the month.
Kaitlyn Schoener, a freshman early childhood education major, attended Crafts and Conversations. “It was my first time going and I really enjoyed it. Everyone was so welcoming and we all shared a bunch of laughs,” Schoener said. “I think this is a very good idea because it is a fun way to get to know more people and do crafts.”
When attending these events, you do not need to have much experience with crafts. You can be a beginner or an expert. The events are made for everyone regardless of your abilities. “I love doing crafts,” Schoener said. “My favorite crafts to do are diamond paintings and I have been doing a couple recently.”
As a college student, you have so much stress to handle and doing something such as painting, coloring or making bracelets is a good pastime to calm down and to get your mind off of upcoming assignments or exams.
If you are interested in attending future Crafts and Conversation events, they are normally held in BSC 200, the Tower Conference room, or if location switches, a flyer will be posted around the BSC to specify the new location.
