The Student Wellness Education and Empowerment Team (s.w.e.e.t.) is launching a new program called ProjectConnect. This program is designed to help students develop connections and gain sense of community at Sacred Heart University.
“It is a six-session program of small groups led by one of the s.w.e.e.t. Peer Educators. We got very positive feedback from the first group who took advantage of this program; they all said that they would recommend this to a friend and would do it again,” said senior s.w.e.e.t. peer educator Grace Anneser.
s.w.e.e.t. peer educators are students who develop programs on campus to promote a healthy college lifestyle. Some may recognize the name from their “Stall Street Journal,” a flyer that hangs inside many of the bathroom stall doors. The peer educators aim to enlighten students to develop an understanding of both the negative and positive outcomes of social norms.
Their slogan, “A healthy life is a s.w.e.e.t. life,” coincides with their programs such as “The Bar Exam,” “s.w.e.e.t. Dreams,” “Canine Help SHU?,” “Speed Friendly” and “#sex@SHU.”
“They teach students about how to improve their sleep, which can protect mental health and improve academic success. They teach students harm reduction strategies if they choose to drink. They bring therapy dogs to campus to remind students to find healthy ways to manage their stress. These are often one-time workshops in residence halls or events on campus,” said Peer Education Coordinator Karen Flanagan.
The newest edition to the program, ProjectConnect, is run by peer educators.
“s.w.e.e.t. peer educators have a strong base of training in listening skills and protective mental health strategies, so when we decided to bring ProjectConnect to SHU, the s.w.e.e.t. peer education team was the ideal place to start. Our hope is that the program will eventually grow to the point where students across campus can be trained to facilitate groups,” said Flanagan.
ProjectConnect is open to all full-time undergraduates at Sacred Heart. The launch includes five groups that meet at different times during the week.
“The overall goal is to make stronger connections with people from different walks of life. It’s not just for freshmen or a select group on campus. Everyone is encouraged to join and participate. It focuses on tight-knit groups that share experiences,” said senior peer educator Johnathan Brown.
As a result of COVID-19, s.w.e.e.t. adjusted to new ways of learning and communicating with the student population.
“COVID definitely changed how we operate. Meetings and programs are all done virtually. In that aspect, it can be challenging to connect with others. That being said, we adapted to the situation and we are still doing programs. I can’t speak for the other members, but I really miss bonding in person,” said Brown.
ProjectConnect is one of the ways that s.w.e.e.t. is acknowledging the changes that come with being a college student during COVID-19.
“To be frank, this program was made because of COVID. Loneliness is on the rise, especially among college students. Not having that in-person experience is very damaging to mental health,” said Brown. “It happens over Zoom, and everyone is encouraged to meet new people. You don’t even have to turn on your camera, but it would help to put a face to a name.”
This new way for students to connect is designed to rekindle the sense of community that some say Sacred Heart is known for.
“I encourage others to get involved because it takes everyone to make Sacred Heart a better community. If you have an honest heart and want to step out of your comfort zone, I recommend you take that leap,” said Brown. “I think ProjectConnect is a great program that’s here to stay. I think it’s important to broaden your horizons while also meeting people you would never talk to otherwise.”
If you are interested in joining a ProjectConnect group, reach out to Karen Flanagan at flanagank879@sacredheart.edu.
