Somewhere to feel safe.

 No matter who you are or what you are feeling, there is a safe and welcoming space for you on the ground floor of Kehr Union. Before you can even fully emerge down the stairs, you are met with colorful flags, and posters letting you know you are welcome, that everyone is. As visitors descend to the bottom of the stairs, tacked on the wall and sitting on shelves is an assortment of different resources, flyers, and artwork, put there by the kind souls at the Women's and LGBTQ resource center. Whether you are looking for events to go to, or a number to call if you are struggling, you can find these things before even stepping through the door, and when you finally do step through, you will be met with kind smiles and an chorus of cheerful greetings that go perfectly with the welcoming tone of the pale blue walls. The relaxing but insanely positive aura of the room is bound to make anyone feel like they belong. 

There is no doubt you have heard talk about the center, or even just seen a flyer for one of their events. Even if you aren't aware of it, the Women's Resource and LGBTQ center is responsible for some of the most popular events on campus, such as the fall drag show, pride on the patio, lavender graduation, and 2nd chance prom "Which gives students an option to go to prom with who they want to, which may have not been an option for them in high school" emphasizes the director, Megan Wein, a young woman with blonde hair, pink glasses, and an enthusiastic demeanor, the importance of the event clear in her eyes, and the eyes of her staff. The center tables at so many events and programs throughout campus on a constant basis, and holds seminars and trainings for staff members, making their voices heard and their causes widespread, and keeping the staff booked and busy. Even if there is not an event coming up, the center is open from 10AM to 4PM on weekdays, open to anyone who may want to come in for any reason at all. "Everyday looks different, that is the beauty of this job" exclaims Megan, the smile never leaving her face. Whether the staff is actively planning for an event, talking to or assisting a student in need, brainstorming ideas for future events, printing out flyers to spread around campus, promoting the center on social media, or just picking out stickers to pass out at events, the teamwork that goes into this center is undeniable.

The team at the center a huge collaboration on all levels, the dynamics between the director, student workers, and volunteers alike are treated as equals. It is made clear through shared looks and shared laughs that this team are not only coworkers, they are friends, and partners in working toward the same goal. "It would have never been like this at my other student jobs" explains Amie Trinkl, a student worker at the center, tucking her short brown hair behind her ear as she speaks. "I am able to plan events, if I have an idea I can go to Megan with it and she will say that's great, do it!" she explains as they look to Megan, who meets her gaze with a smile before piping up herself. "One of my biggest goals is if my staff has an idea I want them to run with it, and have the autonomy to bring that idea to life." she adds, followed by an abundance of nods from her staff members around the table. The mutual respect the entire staff is hard to miss, whether someone has been a member for 2 years or 2 weeks, the opportunity to bring an idea to life is theirs, and every staff member or even volunteer can bring it to Megan without hesitation and without fear of judgement. Joclynn Ramsey, a young woman with a calm demeanor, is on the second week of her internship with the center. "I am working my way up to eventually creating and planning one of these events myself," she commented, earning a proud nod from Megan. The constant hard work that the center puts in is softened a little with the team work and uplifting environment that the center creates. 

Not only does the center put together events and spread awareness, it also becomes a place where people meet their lifelong friends, whether introduced as coworkers, or someone entering the center for help. As soon as a foot crosses the threshold, a new friend is made. "I haven't been here long, but the people are definitely my favorite part. From day one, maybe even hour one I already felt comfortable and like I belonged. I can't even say this feels like a job at all, this is something I would do for fun." explains Joclynn, her voice calm and soothing. The comfortable environment always echoing with quiet chatter and laughter creating a symphony with the soft music playing in the background, a smile present on everyone's faces at all times. Leo Karsan, a volunteer of the center who is in a leadership position in BUYEA,  an organization that works in close quarters with the center, is there all the time. "We laugh a lot." he started "There is a lot of playful banter and I love coming down here even if it is just to say hi to everyone, I am down here multiple times a week just to hang out." Relationships becoming so strong that they even start to miss each other during long breaks. This relationship does not only apply to staff members, students who choose to go through the center are always met with kindness and compassion, and it means just as much to the staff when they do. "It is very student facing, which I like, I am able to make new friends." states Amie, her tone clearly indicating she has a few friends made from the center in mind. The space is welcome to all truly becomes a safe haven to anyone to enters, and somewhere no one wants to leave, which is made clear by Joclynn. 

"Now that I am here I feel like I will never leave." expresses Joclynn, the corners of her eyes crinkling as she shoots a smile towards Megan. 

Megan responds with a pouted out lip and a grateful look in her eyes. "Awe, don't make me cry". The exchange causing Amie to look up from where she was typing on her computer. 

Amie's eyes dart between Megan and Joclynn, a sarcastic smirk creeping across her face. "You are going to have to fight me for that Joclynn." she jokes, her tone mock serious but the twinkle in her eye makes the sarcasm clear "you think you aren't leaving, but I would fight for that spot." 

Joclynn retorts quickly and dryly, a familiar dynamic between the two showing. "Fine, we are fighting." she deadpans, causing a symphony of laughter from everyone sitting around the table. 

Once the laughter dies down, Megan rolls her eyes fondly, clearly used to the banter between the two. "I would hire all of you if I could." she noted, the love for her staff members and interns alike clear in the tone of her voice. 

The women and LGBTQ resource center stays true to their name when it comes being a resource to students on campus. A place where students or even staff members can go for any issue without fear of being judged or turned away. "We are very survivor centered here." Megan explains, the passion clear in her voice "We provide assistance to those who are going through or thinking about going through the title nine process." Students are able to receive assistance without even stepping foot into the center, resources and flyers, as well as numbers to call are displayed outside the door, as well as all around campus. That being said, taking the step into the center opens a door of infinitely more resources. Whether that be a quiet room to get some work done in, someone to talk through your problems with, a question about an event, or even just to take a much needed nap. "We have our regulars that come down and play games with us, and some regulars who just come sit on the couch and take a nap for a half hour." mentions Amie, showing the diversity of the space. The main room of the center almost feels like a living room in itself, a long and narrow room scattered with couches, chairs, a TV, a desk, and smiling faces. The main room being surrounded by an assortment of smaller rooms, including Megan's office, a bunch of smaller, quieter rooms that can be used to get worked done, an office filled with art supplies, crafts, and materials needed in the creation of their events, and in the corner, a room filled with clothes and shoes of all sizes ready to be used or donated, promptly called the clothing closet. The clothing closet is available to all students free of charge. "Encourage yourself and encourage your friends to come, it's like a free thrift store, we have a lot of clothes, so come take them, or donate them." Megan emphasizes. The center offers such a variety of different services and are happy to be there for students no matter what they need. Not only will it mean a lot to the students, but the work truly means a lot to the staff members as well. 

Many of the staff members at the center are women and/or a part of the LGBTQ community, therefore are aware of the struggles and hurdles they have to go through being in college, as well as life in general. The connection to the work that they do makes them more experienced and emotionally invested. This fact reigns true to one of the graduate workers, Ray Palmer. "It is rewarding to be connected to the kind of activities that I would have needed when I was younger." he contributed, the emotion filled statement causing the agreements of the others listening in. The passion of all the staff members to make Bloomsburg a more accepting and loving place is truly remarkable. 

Being a school organization, student involvement is so important, to the center itself and to the devoted staff members and volunteers. By showing up and just talking to them for a few minutes, or taking a sticker, or a cookie, you are spreading awareness for their cause and making the school a more accepting place. Going to events and experiencing the diversity the school has to offer can be so rewarding for you, as well as the staff members seeing their hard work and ideas being brought to life and appreciated by the people they are doing it for. "We have come so far in terms of women's issues and social justice related to the LGBTQ community" muses Megan 'but there is so much farther for us as well." she concludes. No showing of support is too small, or goes under appreciated, the gratitude the team here has for every student is undeniable, and that shows in the quality of work that they do to make this school a better place. The staff at the center wants to talk to you, and want to see your smiling faces!