(Photo by: Jasmine Mills)

Spring break is nearly here, and while we all deserve to cut loose and have some fun, it’s important to not forget to look out for each other in the midst of all the merrymaking. With that in mind, JCCC’s Student Life & Leadership team is hosting a Spring Break Safety pop-up event in Fountain Square on Thursday, March 12th, from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

The event focuses on personal health and well-being during spring break and gives students the tools to take care of themselves while still having fun. Student Life Ambassadors, Ashley Calibo, Jenish Patel and Paloma Earnheart, the event organizers, are excited to bring their message to JCCC students.

“We’re talking about how to make your spring break enjoyable and fun and being safe at the same time,” says Patel.

JCCC’s campus police will likely be at the event to speak to students about physical safety during break. Patel says that police can help students identify potential risks they may encounter while they’re travelling or going out with friends, and how to make smart choices. The event will also offer tips for drinking responsibly. The pop-up team has created dual-sided handouts with mocktail recipes on one side and tips for safe drinking on the other.

“A lot of students took them,” says Calibo, referencing when the handouts were first used during JCCC’s Soberfest. “Because as young adults, a good majority of us are within the drinking age. And so our culture right now is going to parties, being social–but again, how can we have some gentle, friendly reminders to make sure to keep each other accountable, keep each other safe?”

The pop-up team recognizes that not every student will be partying during spring break. Some students who choose to stay in may feel a loss of routine or social connection with their peers. Some may simply want to check in with themselves to see how they’re doing. Mental health clinician Sarah Albert hopes to be at the event to offer resources to students who may need extra support during break.

“It’s really great now because students can actually go to her directly,” Calibo explains. “She has these little flyers she hands out to the students, and you can make appointments with her.”

The Student Life Ambassadors also know that mental and physical health go hand-in-hand. They’re excited to have fitness instructor Deborah Bowers join the pop-up to teach students ways to keep their bodies in motion throughout spring break.

“I feel like our generation does want to move more,” says Calibo. “Talking with students, not many know that we do have these drop-in yoga classes in the fitness center. If they have a break from classes, we still have offices open. This could be a way for you to connect with the fitness center and take care of yourself.”

Director of Student Life & Leadership, Anne Turney, says that pop-up events like Spring Break Safety are a new way of interacting with students on campus. She hopes that by providing physical reminders to students, like brochures or handouts, they can bring increased awareness to personal safety.

“Maybe you’re putting on sunblock, and you notice something out of the corner of your eye,” says Turney. “Like, ‘Oh, that seems off. I remember we stopped at this [pop-up] to get the sunblock, and they [said], ‘Hey, speak up if you see something.’ I’m going to say something.’”

Turney believes that the pop-ups are great for building social connections between students as well as giving them helpful resources, even if it’s just in passing.

“I think it’s just those little micro moments that can build up and give students the resources and the skills that they need to be aware of their surroundings or know what to do in a moment.” The Spring Break Safety pop-up will be held in Fountain Square, outside the GEB building, on March 12th from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. For more information about the event or how to get connected with Student Life & Leadership on campus, visit them here or follow on Instagram.