The Ferris Women’s Network hosted the Women’s Network Resource Fair, featuring various vendors and resources from across Big Rapids, and this was the first time this event happened.
The event happened on April 17, with a focus on various levels of wellness, according to the Director of Accessibility and Disability Services Julie Alexander.
“This includes physical, financial, and mental/emotional wellness,” Alexander said. “We will have over 20 vendors who are both on and off campus. These are important resources for people to be aware of.”
Alexander described the vendors as being varied, from many different fields.
“We will have financial experts from Lerner Financial and TIAA, as well as non-profit organizations such as Our Brothers Keeper, WISE, Angels of Action, Project Starburst and Mid-Michigan Community Action Agency,” Alexander said.
The vendors provided brochures, additional resources and information about their services.
English senior Kiarre Newbill was already familiar with most of these resources but wasn’t sure what to expect from the event.
“This would definitely be something they should target towards freshmen who are coming in,” Newbill said. “That way, they can learn about all these resources early on, because that’s how I technically learned about them, from being here for so long. If you’ve been here for a while, you know a lot of stuff exists, but if you’re new here, you probably don’t know about any of this stuff or how to access it.”
Personal Counseling Center intern Sha-Tera Coleman emphasized the purpose of the event.
“It’s important for us to network with each other and learn about the different resources that Ferris and even Big Rapids have to offer for students,” Coleman said. “Sometimes if you don’t get off campus, you don’t really know what’s out there.”
Coleman also highlighted how the Personal Counseling Center can assist anyone going through a rough time.
“Everybody at some point in their life goes through some kind of difficulty or hard time, whether it’s anxiety, depression, stress or whatever it is,” Coleman said. “Going to the Counseling Center is a way for you to get whatever is on your chest off and find coping skills and solutions.”
The Personal Counseling Center is open to Ferris students and can be reached at 231-591-5968.
Hope House volunteer Chuck Bonning was also present at the event.
“What we do is provide medical care for people without insurance,” Bonning said. “We’re a nonprofit, Christian-based organization with 100% volunteers, including doctors and nurses. Additionally, we provide medication through Ferris Pharmacy.”
There are also a variety of people who Hope House will help.
“We primarily serve uninsured, underinsured and low-income individuals, including Ferris students and the local community,” Bonning said.
Hope House is located across from the Maple Street Bridge at 405 South Third Avenue. Hope House operates by appointment and can be reached at 231-598-9500.
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