Sam Houston State recently welcomed a new student organization that will be partnering with a key fixture in the Huntsville community.
SAAFE4Kats became an official Sam Houston State student organization on Jan. 13. It is partnered with SAAFE House, a local non-profit organization that provides education, shelter and resources for victims of domestic violence.
SAAFE4Kats is an organization dedicated to supporting victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. They aim to raise awareness about these issues, and through their relationship with SAAFE House, members have the duty to volunteer at SAAFE House events.
The SAAFE4Kats motto is “Lighting the Way to a SAAFE Tomorrow.”
“I started SAAFE4Kats because I wanted to have an organization on campus that was directly working with SAAFE House, and provide an alternate route than going through Title IX,” SAAFE4Kats president and founder Mia Abrego said.
Abrego’s says her biggest challenge when starting her organization was finalizing their advisor, Dr. Shelly Clevenger, who is the Victim Studies department chair at Sam Houston State.
“While Victim Studies professors wanted to do it, they were all so busy,” Abrego said, adding that her “favorite thing about being president of SAAFE4Kats is seeing this organization grow and knowing that I’m helping make an impact on campus.”
At the moment, most of the organization’s advertising is done through their social media, specifically via Instagram. They look forward to expanding their recruitment by showcasing their organization on the screens throughout SHSU’s Lowman Student Center.
Kaeley Smith, a SAAFE4Kats member, pointed to the sense of belonging and opportunity to help the community as driving forces in her decision to join.
“I really appreciate the work we do, especially because it is within my Victim Studies major” Smith said. “I plan to talk about these things for my career. I feel like I’m getting good experience.”
Individuals who would like to get involved with SAAFE4Kats can start by attending a meeting. They are held on Wednesdays at 5:30 in the LSC.
To keep up to date with the meeting room number from week to week, follow the group on Instagram at @saafe4kats.
