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Students confront social justice issues

Poverty. Hunger. Human trafficking. The sex trade. Social injustice is an ugly reality in our own cities and around the world. This fall, two Geneva College student organizations banded together to raise awareness on these and other social justice-related issues.

The Geneva chapters of Acting on Aids (AoA) and International Justice Mission (IJM) worked with the Office of Student Programs and Leadership to host Justice Week on campus. From Nov. 10 to 15, the Geneva community was able to learn, pray and respond to the issues raised.

“[Our office] saw the need for this on the campus,” says Ryan Holt, assistant director of student programs and leadership. “We wanted to give the student organizations a platform to talk about these justice issues on a larger scale.”

Holt and his office worked with the two student chapters to plan Justice Week. Events included: a prayer tent set up on campus to highlight some current issues; a campus showing of the film Trade, which focuses on human trafficking; a joint worship service with two student-led praise teams; guest speakers; a prayer walk through downtown Beaver Falls; and a time of fasting, in which volunteers could opt to eat only rice for several days.

“I learned a lot through Justice Week,” says senior Josh Gmys. “The more that people learn about the sorts of injustices done to people, the more they can learn and take action.”

International Justice Mission is a human rights agency that strives for justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. Acting on AIDS is a grassroots organization formed by Christian college students. Their network currently includes over 100 colleges in the United States.

- Jason Panella '04

Clarke decks the halls for a cause

Every December, Geneva’s Clarke Hall goes from a typical women’s residence hall to a sparkling winter wonderland. Each floor decorates their hallway from top to bottom then invites the campus community to tour the results. The event has been a holiday tradition for the last 10 years, but visitors to this year’s Winter Wonderland were in for something new.

Following some of the issues raised during International Justice Week, each floor chose a justice-related theme and raised money for a different mission or charitable organization. For donations of a dollar or less, the girls sold everything from hot apple cider to handmade crafts.

“There have always been free refreshments in the past, so I think people were a little surprised that we did a fundraiser this year,” says senior Melissa Gulstrom. “But everyone really seemed to appreciate it.”

The snowy first-floor's “Santa Land” raised funds for the Angel Tree ministry, which provides Christmas gifts for children whose parents are in prison. The second floor chose a Disney theme and collected donations for Greater Grace Orphanage in Nigeria. Visitors to the third floor entered a 3-D replica of a Jamaican village where donations went to support an upcoming student mission trip.

As they teamed up to help those in need, the women of Clarke Hall bonded on a new level. “Winter Wonderland has the tremendous ability to bring floors together,” says Rachel DeBenedittis, a residence assistant on Clarke’s first floor. “It really gives us the chance to share ideas, work together and see how we deal with pressure!”

Geneva student development staff recently filled care packages to send to students at Westmont College, a sister CCCU institution in Santa Barbara, California. Westmont lost eight campus buildings and the homes of 15 faculty members in a November wildfire. Pictured from left: Residence Directors Austin Hanlin, Lindsay Grimm and Sarah Dompier; Assistant Director of Student Development Paul Perrine; and RDs Scott Hwang and Brian Jensen.

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Fall 2008:
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Interested in mentoring a student?
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• Jan. 24
  Gold and White Day
  (Athletic Open House); Women's Basketball Alumnae Game and Reunion
• Feb. 16
  Spring Open House
• Apr. 17-18
  Alumni Weekend

...PRAY FOR EACH OTHER...

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. – James 5:16

• Join the campus community in praying for President-elect Barack Obama, that God would direct his choices and vision.

• Please pray for Geneva student and football player Brandon Lewis. Brandon is in remission from leukemia.

• Many members of the Geneva community are facing financial challenges during this time of economic crisis. Please pray especially that current and future students will have access to the financing they need to attend here.

• Please pray for the students, faculty and staff of Westmont College as they recover from the recent fires.

Let us know how can we can pray for you

The marketing and institutional advancement offices pray every week for students, faculty, alumni and friends of the college, and other prayer meetings also take place regularly on campus.

Click here to send us your prayer requests.

Click on the calendar to see what events are happening at Geneva.

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Beaver Falls, PA 15010
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