BY CJ GIBSON
PHOTOS BY KERISA BROWN
To help remind students of the importance of self-care as the stress of finals approaches, the Kelly Center hosted “Planting Happiness”.
The Kelly Center provided each student with a pot, a succulent starter, potting soil, and water.
Planting Happiness took place on Nov. 19 from 3-5 p.m. It was advertised as a come-and-go event, but there was a rush of students at the onset.
Because the weather was warmer that afternoon than earlier in the week (around 55° F), Planting Happiness was moved from its initial location in McMindes 2R to the picnic tables in front of the building.
While the outdoor setting prevented the initial slideshow from being presented, Jessica Albin, Case Manager at the Kelly Center, gave a short speech to attendees about how plant care reflects human self-care needs.
By taking care of plants, students are reminded to take care of themselves. Plants need water, sunshine, and rest to flourish, and so do students.
Student Engagement has provided plant starters to students in past programs, such as the Planting Party earlier this fall, but this is the first time that the Kelly Center has been involved in a planting event.
Corey Donnelly, Social Work Masters Student and Kelly Center Graduate Assistant explained how the event came to be.
“The Kelly Center hasn’t [done anything like this before]. Student Engagement did help us plan it, though, and gave us some supplies from some previous planting projects and events that they’ve done in the past,” Donnelly said. “It was helpful to have their participation but we wanted to make sure that we focused on self-care and how that correlates to taking care of a plant and the importance in that, too.”
The Kelly Center hopes to host more events similar to Planting Happiness in the future.
“It’s such a difficult time for people to find ways to get involved, so when we find something that works and something that students are interested in, we definitely want to keep it going,” Donnelly said.
The Kelly Center is also hosting their last Yoga and Mindfulness session for the semester on Tuesday, Dec. 8th at 5:30 p.m. in Cunningham Hall Room 122.
