OMA amplifies Afro-Latina voices

Every year, Grand Valley State University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) hosts a Hispanic Heritage Celebration in recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, a period of thirty days between September and October dedicated to recognizing the contributions of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture and achievements of the United States. This year, the OMA has dedicated the celebration to the Afro-Latinx community and the Black Lives Matter Movement.

In this vein, the first event kicking off the celebration will be “Amplifying Afro-Latina Voices,” a collaboration with the Latina Network of West Michigan intended to highlight the lived experiences of Afro-Latinas in our community. The presentation, which will take place from 7-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 29, will be hosted virtually on Zoom. Those interested in the event can RSVP on the OMA’s website at www.gvsu.edu/oma.

Learn about Student Senate

Through their “Democracy 101: A Series of Critical Conversations” program, Grand Valley State University’s Community Service Learning Center has made it their mission to get students invested in using their civic voices. Their event this week hits close to home, focusing on GVSU’s own student government.

The event, a Student Senate panel encouraging students to make the changes on campus that they’re passionate about, will run from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30. Hosted by the CSLC virtually on Zoom, those interested can RSVP on LakerLink at www.gvsu.campuslabs.com/engage.

Delight Ministries looks to serve Kids Food Basket

On Saturday, Oct. 3, Delight Ministries will be looking for assistance with making birthday cards, decorating lunch bags and writing thank you’s for the children at Kids Food Basket. Those interested in helping out can come drop by between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. underneath the tent by Zumberge Pond on the Allendale Campus. Masks are required for those who come to volunteer.

Those interested can RSVP for the event on LakerLink at www.gvsu.campuslabs.com/engage. If volunteers are unable to meet physically on Saturday, a Zoom meeting will be held to create individual items to donate, which will then be collected by the Delight Ministries Service Leader.