MTSU’s June Anderson Center kicks off year with slate of activities

MTSU's June Anderson Center for Women and Nontraditional Students is hosting a SNAP workshop Sept. 21 and a de-stress workshop Sept. 28.

The June Anderson Center for Women and Nontraditional Students is hosting a variety of events this fall to help Middle Tennessee State University students and their families.

Maigan Wipfli, director of the June Anderson Center for Women and Nontraditional Students — Dr. Maigan Wipfli

To kick off the new academic year, the center will host the third annual Power of One Block Party from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6, at the MTSU Campus Recreation sundeck. MTSU Power of One empowers students to take a stand and combat gender-based violence. Visit www.mtsu.edu/powerof1/ to learn more.

Activities at this year’s block party include tie-dying T-shirts, games, volleyball and trivia as well as drinks and snacks — including samples of Andy’s Frozen Custard. There will also be on- and off-campus resources regarding dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Don’t miss a chance to win $150 concert cash to Ascend Amphitheater, among other prizes. Students must be present to win.

SNAP/Nutrition workshop

The JAC is collaborating with other MTSU departments and community agencies to help families navigate the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program , or SNAP, and mitigate food insecurity. The SNAP/Nutrition Workshop is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, in the JAC office, located on the third floor of the Student Union Building in Suite 330.

“The event is open to any student, but we are focusing on underrepresented student populations,” explained Amanda Gjertson, parenting students coordinator at JAC.

Representatives from the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and the Rutherford County UT-TSU Extension Services will be on hand to explains SNAP requirements and WIC benefits, and help students complete the applications. MT Nutrition and Blue Raiders Drink Up 2.0 will be on hand as well, along with Greenhouse Ministries outreach.

“There will also be information about cooking on a budget, simple recipes that use common SNAP ingredients along with small samples and giveaway items,” Gjertson said.

Dear Stress: Let’s Break Up!

On Thursday, Sept. 28, JAC will host Dear Stress: Let’s Break Up! event from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the JAC office.

“Dear Stress is another collaboration between the June Anderson Center, the College of Education, and the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences,” Gjertson said.

The event is sponsored by MT Engage and includes a free pasta dinner, tips on stress reduction, yoga, a trauma-informed literacy track for youth and giveaways. Representatives from Portico pregnancy support center and Nurture the Next will also be available to share resources. The event is open to any students, but focuses on the nontraditional student population.

For information on other events this fall, visit www.mtsu.edu/jac/, call the JAC office at (615) 898-5812 or email Amanda.Gjertson@mtsu.edu or Maigan.Wipfli@mtsu.edu.

— Nancy DeGennaro (Nancy.DeGennaro@mtsu.edu)