Looking For The Helpers in the WSU Women*s Center
Photos and Writing by Madeline Sjolund
“Looking for the helpers” is an easy topic on the WSU campus. There is an abundance of resources available for students and staff depending on their needs. From safe spaces, food pantries, and support groups, I was intrigued to focus on the Women*s Center in Wilson-Short room 8. The asterisk in Women*s is new as of 2018, it is a way to welcome anyone of any gender.
Their mission is as follows: ”To engage with the multi-dimensional experiences of women, to challenge patterns of injustice for people of all genders, and to provide a welcoming and inclusive space.” I didn’t want to take photos of people utilizing the pantry, it is a rule and a general rule of privacy for those who visit. My time in the Women*s Center was special, I found a strong group of individuals who were open to discussion about the services they provide and inclusion of all individuals.
This is a photo of some of the cans in the Rosario's Place in the Women*s Center. They have a wall of pantry space, with only a small portion filled.
There were seven five-pound bags of rice in the food pantry.This is a cheap staple food that provides nutrients like calories and carbohydrates.
I wanted to highlight some of the items that children can utilize at Rosalia's place. Toys are essential to children's learning and development. This resource can help families provide entertainment or even a gift for their child. .
Be sure to stop by the Women*s Center for resource needs. This includes buttons, tampons, condoms, food, and general support.
This is a photo of the diaper entry log in the Rosario's Place (food pantry). This helps the center keep track of diaper sizes being frequently used and the amount distributed or supplied.
Inside the Rosario’s Place, a dry-food pantry, there is an emphasis on products for babies and toddlers. I took this photo of baby food and formula to show that there are children in this community. On a college campus, we often forget that there are young parents among us, struggling to feed more than one mouth.
The Women*s Center provides condoms, lubrication, dental dams, and tampons to students and faculty for free. While there is legislation for all buildings on campus to provide sanitary products, most buildings don’t. This resource provides students with sanitary products and access to safe-sex methods.
Anonymous community members knit various articles of clothing for students in need.
This is an image of some un-labeled cans in the food pantry. Most of the cans have labels, but as long as they aren't past expiration date, all cans are held in this room.
Entrance to Rosario's Place in the Women*s Center.