Scripps College’s IDEA initiative hosts its first Change Fair on Wednesday, February 15. The fair supports IDEA’s goals for inclusion, diversity, equity, and access on Scripps’ campus by facilitating exchanges between students and community-based organizations striving to affect positive change.
“During the presidential election, many members of our community expressed an interest in learning more about how to participate in meaningful change,” says Denise Nelson Nash, vice president and secretary of the Board of Trustees and the convener of IDEA.
“The goal of the Change Fair is for our community members to hear from community-based organizations and learn how each of us can be involved with positive change not only here on campus and on the other Claremont campuses, but also in the surrounding community.”
Participating fair organizations include Planned Parenthood, Food Forward, Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance, Grand Performances, Uncommon Good, and the Chinatown Community for Equitable Development. Each group will have a table with informational handouts and staff representatives who are eager to engage with students. Grace Reckers ’18 is helping organize the fair and says the organizations “seem very excited to be participating and are looking forward to getting the chance to speak with Scripps students about their work.”
Reckers sees the fair as a useful source for those on campus seeking ways to affect political and social change on both local and national contexts.
“Now more than ever, progressive organizations and nonprofits are crucial in providing necessary services for the people, particularly when the incumbent administration fails to do so,” she says.
“We hope that students, faculty, and staff who attend the fair can build connections with groups organizing around important issues and can contribute to their causes by volunteering or attending related events.”
Join Reckers and IDEA at the Change Fair in Seal Court during Scripps Tea on Wednesday, February 15, 3:30-4:30 p.m.. More information about the event can be found here.