Cultivating community: WMU Future Teachers of Color partners with Parchment Public Schools for Halloween event
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University's Future Teachers of Color RSO hosted their inaugural Trunk or Treat with Broncos event, welcoming hundreds of students from Parchment Public Schools and their families for an unforgettable Halloween experience.
"We wanted to show neighboring communities that Western acknowledges them and is willing to collaborate and volunteer," says Moises Campos-Crespo, president of Future Teachers of Color. "We didn't know what to expect being the first year, but now that we know how many people benefited from this event, we are already planning to make this an annual event."
Filling the parking lot of Parchment Middle School, different groups representing Western Michigan University decorated vehicles and handed out candy to trick-or-treaters. Participants included the College of Education and Human Development, Office of Multicultural Affairs for Students, College Assistance Migrant Program, Martin Luther King Jr. Student Scholars Academy, Latino Student Alliance and WMU ExSci RSO. In addition, Greek-letter organizations, Phi Lota Alpha Latin Fraternity Inc., Zeta Sigma Chi Multicultural Sorority, Omega Delta Phi Fraternity, Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, Lambda Theta Alpha Sorority and Lambda Theta Phi Fraternity participated in the event.
"It's super important for students to be involved with the local community," says Dhani James, treasurer of Future Teachers of Color. "When you're a student at WMU, you will be living in the community for a couple of years, so it is nice to be able to see what there is around you and know that there are a lot of opportunities to be connected with families and organizations."
The Trunk or Treat event also highlights the active partnership between Western Michigan University's College of Education and Human Developments and Parchment Public Schools, who provide Experience-Driven Learning opportunities for education students through observation and student teaching.
About Future Teachers of Color RSO
The mission of Future Teachers of Color is to bring together future educators of color at WMU with a focus on various topics related to career preparation,academic success, mentorship, community service outreach, and networking skills. To learn more, follow them on Instagram at wmuftc.
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