SIUE Kimmel Belonging and Engagement Hub

Big thank you to some anonymous donors, Doreen Hendrix and Amanda Hornacek for the book donations that came in these last few weeks! Our storage is overflowing!! Thank you!
All books go to support our service project with Metro East Literacy Project

Join The Kimmel Belonging and Engagement Hub in an afternoon recognizing Juneteenth in the Stratton Quad. We will have music, games, and food that celebrates the history of Juneteenth.

About Juneteenth, June 19, 1865, over 250,000 enslaved Black people in Texas were informed that the Civil War was won months earlier and they were finally free. Since then, Juneteenth, also known as “Juneteenth Independence Day,” “Emancipation Day,” "Jubilee Day," or “Freedom Day,” has been celebrated by Black communities. The date became a federal holiday in 2021 after decades of activists' and organizers' hard work to convince our leaders to designate June 19th as a "National Independence Day.”

Over the past few weeks we have had so many wonderful book donations!!

Big shout out to our Anonymous Donors as well as Annie Crews, Jessica Case, Annie Werner, Tera Poeia, Gina Grace, Robin Ermer, Sumitra Shrestha, Miriam Roccia - Interim Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, and to the former VC of Student Affairs, Narbeth “Nobby” Emmanuel!

Thank you all for your generous donations!

All donations go to support the Metro East Literacy Project on our 2024 Cougars in the Community Day of Service. We are still accepting donations until August 16th.

Thank you to Ms. Annette Fletcher and to some anonymous donors for the great selection of children’s books! Our book drive boxes don’t stay empty for long!!

All books collected go to a service project we are doing in partnership with the Metro East Literacy Project. Please continue to bring your donations to the Kimmel Belonging and Engagement Hub from now until August 16th. Message us for more information.

Such a wonderful collection of books today!!
Thank you to our anonymous donors!! Such a great assortment from babies to adults!

Remember we are holding our book drive all summer from now until August 16th. Drop off your donations in the Kimmel Belonging and Engagement Hub’s 1st floor office, room 1060 in the Morris University Center. All books collected are going to benefit the Metro East Literacy Project.

If you need help coordinating your donation contact Ashley Jones at [email protected]

Huge THANK YOU to our anonymous donors!!! Our book drive is well underway! We need a bigger box!!!

Keep them coming! We have so many families that need books! 📚

We are hosting a Book Drive to support the Metro East Literacy Project.

If you have any used or new books that you would like to donate for this cause, please drop off your books Kimmel Belonging and Engagement Hub starting today (May 1, 2024) until August 16th.

Books needed are:
• Baby Board Books
• Children’s Books
• Picture Books
• Chapter Books (all levels)
• Young Adult
• Adult Fiction
• Non-Fiction (both adult and children’s)
• Coffee Table Books
• Cookbooks

Join us for “The Skills of Bridgebuilding on a Religiously Diverse Campus” with Carr Harkrader
Wednesday, April 24 2024 at 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at the Vadalabene Center, Lukas Annex

Join us for a session focused on what it means to be a bridgebuilder during this time of tumultuous disagreement and constant polarization. This session will focus on the skills and concepts of interfaith cooperation and bridgebuilding, especially listening, and how you can apply them at Southern Illinois. Led by staff from Interfaith America, this training will utilize techniques from the Bridging the Gap program and help you understand your own personal connection to the work of engaging others from different viewpoints.

Join us for “Religious, Secular, and Spiritual Pluralism in a New Age: Addressing inequity through Justice” with Dr. J. Cody Nielsen
Thursday, April 18 2024 at 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Morris University Center Mississippi, Illinois Room

Dr. J. Cody Nielsen (he/him) is Executive Director of Convergence Strategies, a national nonprofit working to support religious, secular, and spiritual identities through the lens of anti-racism and decolonization. His current role includes serving as Director of the Center for Spirituality and Social Justice at Dickinson College, where he works intersectionally alongside colleagues in the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Dr. Nielsen's research interrogates systems and structures which are oppressive toward religious minorities and non-Christian identities. He is a frequent speaker, consultant, training, and program evaluator who is continuously working to elevate voices of those who have been historically marginalized and underserved.

**This Event is Approved for the ADEI Leadership Certificate**

The Helping Hands Pilot Program starts TODAY!!

If you are interested in volunteering but were unable to attend our information sessions last week, just contact Ashley Jones at [email protected] to schedule a meeting and to get the link to sign up to volunteer!

These hours are approved as service hours for the Johnetta Haley Scholarship (even past the due date 4/15).

Join us for Examining Religious Bias Through the Lens of Islamophobia
Monday, April 15 2024 at 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Morris University Center Legacy Room

Religious identity spans many aspects of life and culture, and is deeply rooted in history. The complexity and nuance of religious belief, practice, and identity are sometimes replaced by stereotypes and binaries, particularly in times of conflict. This workshop aims to examine and resist this reductive tendency by expanding cultural awareness and promoting skills that are key to working effectively across differences. This workshop will explore Islamophobia and identify common themes that arise across religious bias in order to deepen our understanding of each other’s experiences and perspectives.

**This Event is Approved for the SIU System ADEI Leadership Certificate**

Join us for Arab American Heritage Month Opening Ceremony - Palestine in Poetry: Voices from Home and Diaspora

Zeina Azzam is a Palestinian American poet, writer, editor, and community activist, is currently the Poet Laureate of the City of Alexandria, Virginia. Her full-length poetry collection, Some Things Never Leave You, was published by Tiger Bark Press in July 2023. The themes that Azzam's poetry addresses include war and displacement, the refugee and immigrant experiences, the elusive distance between home and exile, the feeling of being in-between cultures and languages and identities, and encounters with different kinds of loss. Her poetry is also inspired by the natural, wondrous world, the joys and challenges of personal relationships, and social justice issues.

There will be refreshments after the poetry reading.

Friday April 12, 5-7pm at the Center for Spirituality and Sustainability (the Dome) on campus.

Co-sponsored by the SIUE Arabic Club and Kimmel Belonging and Engagement Hub

**This event is Approved for the SIU System ADEI Leadership Certificate**

Join the Art and History Department in an interactive event that allows students to journey through Asian history through various displays and installations.

Wednesday, April 10 2024 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the Goshen Lounge

Be a Helping Hand!

The Kimmel Belonging and Engagement Hub is seeking volunteers to staff a table in MUC Dining to assist individuals who may need help while navigating the Dining Area. Examples include but are not limited to: physical limitations or assistive devices that make carrying food items or trays difficult, blind or visually impaired individuals who are unable to read the menus or locate Grab n’ Go items, and finding accessible seating.

We have secured a Helping Hands station located at the entrance of Center Court where 2 volunteers will be posted to assist anyone who needs help getting their food and beverages. The Helping Hands Program will have a 2 – week trial run beginning Monday April 15th running thru Friday, April 26th from 11 – 2pm, Mondays thru Fridays. We hope to gather insightful feedback during this time to improve and expand this program in the fall semesters!

Please help spread the word to potential volunteers and to anyone who might be able to utilize this program. We ask that volunteers wishing to be a Helping Hand sign up for and attend a mandatory training/information session by Friday, April 12th.

For more information contact Community Engagement Coordinator, Ashley Jones: [email protected]

Register to be a Helping Hands Volunteer: http://tiny.cc/HelpingHandsInfo

Scholarship Alert!!!

One scholarship has been extended until the end of Sunday, April 14, 2024.

This scholarship opportunity is the Michael E. Yancey Sphinx-man Scholarship, which is in memory and honor of Michael E. Yancey, a Southern Illinois University Edwardsville College of Arts and Sciences alumnus. This scholarship will award $1,000 to a second year student with preferences given to Black and Native American applicants. Additional details regarding the requirements can be found in the link.

1 Award of $1,000

For more information, please visit: https://siue.academicworks.com/opportunities/12736

Natasha Israt Kabir is a Graduate Student at SIUE in the Department of Sociology. She is a graduate from Pondicherry Central University. She is currently a development professional and working as a community volunteer for her foundation as a founder-president of the BRIDGE Foundation for the disabled community, based on arts, inclusive research, and campaigns for the rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Join us as she presents her research on phases of migration and gender bias and stereotypes in South Asian literature and film.

Jewish Identity & Antisemitism Workshop with Naomi Greenspan



As bias incidents against Jews increase across the United States, many higher education leaders are grappling with the topics of Jewish identity, Jewish inclusion, and antisemitism. This professional development workshop for college and university administrators will provide an overview of:

* Jewish identity

* Diversity of Jewish experience

* Historical and contemporary manifestations of antisemitism

* Jews, race, and whiteness

* Intersection between racism and antisemitism

* Relationship between anti-Zionism and antisemitism

* Addressing antisemitism within the context of free speech and academic freedom.



Participants will come away with increased knowledge and awareness of antisemitism and their role in creating an inclusive campus environment.



RSVP Here: http://tiny.cc/JewishIdentity

We had a great turnout of SIUE students and staff members show up for our Trans Day of Visibility event! We have a total of 100 inspirational and affirming letters to send to Point of Pride!

Thank you to all who came today and volunteered their time to write these letters and share their stories!

We hope our transgender community at SIUE and in the surrounding areas knows that we see you and we value you! You matter!

TODAY!!!

At 11:30am we will be writing letters to the Transgender Community as part of an initiative with Point of Pride, a non-profit that provides life-saving resources for this community.

Join us in the 2nd floor Kimmel-Hub office as we socialize, watch a replay of Malley Jenna Robinson's presentation from out Wom*n's History Opening Ceremony, eat some cookies, and write these affirming letters!

This event is approved for the SIU System ADEI Leadership Certificate and for 1 service hour for the Johnetta Haley Scholarship.

https://getinvolved.siue.edu/event/10057139

Join the Kimmel Belonging and Engagement Hub for some cookies, socializing and letter writing to the Transgender Community with Point of Pride! We will also be showing the replay of Mallery Jenna Robinson's presentation from our Wom*n's History Month Opening Ceremony, where she shares her life, experience and advocacy as a transgender woman.

Point of Pride is a non-profit organization that provides resources for transgender folx and helps them feel seen and supported. These uplifting letters of support will be given to trans youth and adults, which Point of Pride includes along with donations of free chest binders and femme shapewear.

This event is approved for the SIU System ADEI Leadership Certificate and qualifies as 1 hour of service for the Johnetta Haley Scholarship

Let us know you are coming! RSVP here: https://getinvolved.siue.edu/event/10057139

Join the Kimmel Belonging and Engagement Hub for some cookies, socializing and letter writing to the Transgender Community with Point of Pride! We will also be showing the replay of Mallery Jenna Robinson's presentation from our Wom*n's History Month Opening Ceremony, where she shares her life, experience and advocacy as a transgender woman.

Point of Pride is a non-profit organization that provides resources for transgender folx and helps them feel seen and supported. These uplifting letters of support will be given to trans youth and adults, which Point of Pride includes along with donations of free chest binders and femme shapewear.

This event is approved for the SIU System ADEI Leadership Certificate and qualifies as 1 hour of service for the Johnetta Haley Scholarship

Let us know you are coming! RSVP here: https://getinvolved.siue.edu/event/10057139

Cans For Cougars drive closes tomorrow! Be sure to get your donations in!

These items are donated to the Cougar Cupboard and can be dropped off in the Kimmel Belonging and Engagement or Student Government Offices.

There is a prize for the individual or student organization who donates the most points!

Join us today either in-person or via zoom for our Wom*n’s History Mont Opening Ceremony with Mallery Jenna Robinson. She will speaking with us via zoom and sharing her experiences and advocacy work for the transgender community.

Light refreshments will be provided for those who meet with us in-person!

https://getinvolved.siue.edu/event/9933464

Join us on Monday, March 11th as we celebrate Wom*n’s History Month!

Mallery Jenna Robinson will be joining us during our opening ceremony to share her experiences and advocacy work for the transgender community.

This event will be offered in person and live-streamed. Please join us as we celebrate wom*n’s history!

https://getinvolved.siue.edu/event/9933464

Don’t forget to join us today at 4pm in the Lovejoy Library!

Today at 4 p.m. SIUE Arts and Sciences professors Tisha Brooks, Howard Rambsy, and Donavan Ramon will discuss their published works at African American Literature at SIUE: Panel Discussion and Book Signing in the Redmond Center located in Lovejoy Library.
https://bit.ly/42xXQfW