Today is #GivingTuesday—a global movement intended to encourage generosity and “unleash the power of people.” At Case Western Reserve University, it’s a chance for students, faculty, alumni and friends to make a difference on campus and beyond by supporting student-led organizations and causes.
The Daily spoke with student representatives from six of the 40+ groups participating in #GivingTuesdayAtCWRU to hear how community support fuels their work.
You can empower students at Case Western Reserve this GivingTuesday by making a gift to a cause that is meaningful to you, offering a match or sharing the campaign on social media using #GivingTuesdayatCWRU.
Black Law Students Association
While Black people make up 13.6% of the U.S. population, only 5% of the nation’s lawyers are Black, according to the American Bar Association—and that number drops to 3% for Ohio. The Black Law Students Association of Case Western Reserve University School of Law aims to reduce barriers for minorities entering the legal field by championing learning experiences and professional opportunities for its members.
“When you give to the Black Law Students Association of CWRU,” said organization treasurer Lulu Turner, Class of 2024, “you support mentorship programming, access to conferences, our mock trial team and scholarships for current Case Western Reserve law students and undergraduates interested in pursuing legal studies.”
CWRU Yoga Club
CWRU Yoga Club strives to provide free, high-quality yoga classes that help students build strength, balance and flexibility—skills conducive to emotional and physiological growth. The club aims for its members to empower one another toward a stronger community and greater good off their mats.
“Donor support allows us to continue offering free classes as well as teacher training scholarships, which provide deserving and motivated students an opportunity to deepen their practice and give back to our community,” said the club’s treasurer, Madaline Witort, Class of 2025, treasurer.
LGBT Center
The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center exemplifies Case Western Reserve University’s commitment to serving its diverse students, staff, faculty and alumni by fostering an empowering, loving and equitable environment in which to thrive. The LGBT Center’s mission is to offer education, support and advocacy to LGBTQ+ individuals within CWRU and provide a haven to those who are seeking solidarity and community.
Donor support helps the center deliver programs and initiatives that directly impact LGBTQ+ individuals on campus.
PERIOD @ CWRU
PERIOD @ CWRU’s mission is to advocate for menstrual care on Case Western Reserve’s campus and in the Cleveland community. The group aims to normalize menstruation, provide care packages for those in need, and affect legislation by empowering students to raise awareness about the issue and create change.
“All donor support directly funds care packages that we distribute throughout the Cleveland community,” said PERIOD @ CWRU Treasurer Mariel McInnes, Class of 2025, “including middle schools, women’s shelters and other groups in need.”
Society of Women Engineers
Society of Women Engineers (SWE) empowers women to achieve their full potential and be recognized for their contributions as engineers and leaders. The society also works to demonstrate the value of diversity and inclusion, and expand the image of engineering and technology professions as a positive force in improving quality of life.
“Funding from GivingTuesday will allow us to expand our programs and further our mission,” said Anna Currin, Class of 2023, SWE’s director of special events. “It will also help us bring more women to the annual SWE conference—the largest conference and career fair for women in engineering and technology.”
Undergraduate Research Society
The Undergraduate Research Society aims to prepare Case Western Reserve University students for successful careers by helping them find the right opportunities, learn necessary skills and expand their network.
“Donor support helps us improve current offerings such as our Mentor-Mentee and Research Scholars programs and the Research-A-Thon,” said treasurer Ananya Goel, Class of 2025, “all of which help us better support undergraduate researchers and broaden our impact on Case Western Reserve’s campus.”
Learn more about this year’s #GivingTuesdayAtCWRU causes.
*Responses edited for clarity and length.