In the true Franciscan tradition of St. Bonaventure, two student organizations, VOICES and SBU for Life, have formed selfless partnerships to help get SBU’s To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA) chapter up and running. Both should be commended for their part in helping to bring a club with an immensely powerful message to campus.
TWLOHA is a nationwide non-profit group dedicated to supporting those who are undergoing personal struggles including self-harm, depression and suicidal tendencies, according to the organization’s website.
SBU’s chapter is currently working to get chartered by the Student Government Association. Without a charter, the club can’t receive a budget from SGA.
Kevin Cooley, president of SBU for Life, said his club has donated $300 from his club’s budget to help TWLOHA with the start-up costs. The donation was made at the expense of some potential opportunities for SBU for Life this year, but the club felt it was more important to get TWLOHA’s positive message to a wider audience.
“Though the messages of our clubs have different focuses, they definitely intertwine in key areas,” Cooley said. “We would much rather see our funds help establish another permanent club on campus that sends out a positive message about life than have a speaker who will come and go in one day.”
SBU for Life puts a focus on protecting life in all stages from all threats, Cooley said. The club’s broad focus allows it to take on a variety of issues, including the problems of depression and suicide.
Because of SBU for Life’s generosity, TWLOHA has some funding to work with to spread its positive message of self-worth and support to those on campus who may need it. It’s certainly a noble gesture.
VOICES, a club focused on gender issues and preventing domestic violence, also stepped in to help the new club gain traction on campus. Amy Jarrell, president of VOICES, said her club partnered with TWLOHA to help bring speaker Chad Moses, a national spokesman for the organization, to speak in Walsh Auditorium on Oct. 17.
“We thought this cause was an important one because suicide and depression affect many young people,” Jarrell said. “I hope to maintain a close relationship with the chapter that is developing on campus. I think we can find great causes with which to develop and continue our collaboration”
Jarrell, like Cooley, said her club focuses on a different set of issues than TWLOHA. However, she and her club agreed that the club’s positive message was worth investing in. Rightly so, he club’s generosity did not go unnoticed by the SGA.
“Bringing a national program [like TWLOHA] to the SBU campus like this is not easy, and VOICES was willing to step up and support it because they believed it aligns with their clubs mission to help those who may be struggling and may have nowhere else to turn,” said Robbie Chulick, secretary for SGA.
It’s inspiring to see student groups coming together to help get a new group off the ground at St. Bonaventure. SBU for Life and VOICES have shown true character in joining forces to bring another club devoted to improving the quality of human life to campus.
This editorial represents the opinion of The Bona Venture staff
