Two things I love that are very different from each other:

1. Helping others

2. Clothing (Yep, typical.)

So, I was pretty pumped last year at Hope when I found out that there’s a super cool company that combines both of these things. Serengetee purchases unique fabrics from around the world and uses them to create pockets on shirts. 5% of the proceeds from each sale go to one of 32 charities, each of which are connected with certain fabrics. Whether you’re passionate about ending human trafficking, providing clean water, reforestation, or something else, Serengetee can help you support that cause, and at the same time, you get an awesome shirt that can act as a conversation-starter to tell more people about the cause you care about! 5% might not seem like much, but it adds up over time. Serengetee was just founded in 2012, and they have already donated far over $100,000 to these great causes!

Another great thing about Serengetee is that each shirt is made to order, and you can get exactly what you want. They have options from sweatshirts to v-necks and button-ups, and many more. They also sell hats, backpacks, and headphones. They have so many options, and there is definitely something for everyone!

If you want to wear the world too, you can use this link for 15% off your order at serengetee.com! For more information, contact me at kathryn.krieger@hope.edu. I would love to talk with you about this great company!

Thank you for reading! Let’s change the world together! Let me know what you order on Twitter (@hopekathryn17), Instagram (@kathrynekrieger), or via email at kathryn.krieger@hope.edu!

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Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

– Colossians 3:14

One of the reasons why I joined my sorority, Theta Gamma Pi, is because it states in our purpose: “[we] will be active in the community through leadership and service. While upholding respect for our own unique differences, we will work to educate our fellow students to ultimately promote the growth of diversity on campus.” This really stood out to me because I think it should be something we ALL should be doing in our own lives. Wherever you are, it is important that you get up and get active in your community. Here at Hope, getting involved could mean joining the many diverse organizations like the Latino Student Organization, Black Student Union, or Hope’s Asian Perspective Association! You don’t even HAVE to join if you don’t want to, just go to their events! Or, getting involved could mean educating others on an issue that effects a large group of people.

This year, we wanted to raise awareness of sexual assault by showing the documentary, The Invisible War, which exposed the epidemic of sexual assault in the U.S military among females and males. Throughout the documentary, female and male survivors of sexual assault told their stories and how their cases against their perpetrators were repeatedly covered up by their commanders. It shows the struggles these men and women face on a  daily basis as they try to rebuild their lives while also speaking out to fight for justice. Personally, I had little knowledge of this serious issue within the military. It was an eye opener for me to hear these women tell their stories of how their assault not only broke the bond that was formed between their “brothers,” but how it affected their family and friends around them. It made me angry to see how their perpetrators were not punished for their crimes because the evidence was not reviewed or simply covered up. This documentary raises serious questions about how the military handles these claims of sexual assault and what needs to change so that these survivors do not have to spend their entire lives fighting for justice.

Following the documentary, there was a group of panelists that included:

• John Koch – VA in Grand Rapids
• Dr. Rita Kenyon-Jump – Military Sexual Trauma Coordinator at Battle Creek VA
• Sara Duhr – Policy Educator at Hope College
• Holly Seymour- Program Director at Center for Women in Transition
• Kelly Daniel – Attendee at West Point Military Academy
• Dr. Carrie Bredow – Psychology Professor specializing in Romantic Love

Panelists answered questions and offered their insight on how important it is that this issue of sexual assault is addressed not only in the military, but here at Hope as well. While the documentary is focused on sexual assault in the military, sexual assault happens right here on our very campus. Often times we as students turn a blind eye to the bad that goes on at Hope, but the fact of the matter is that it should be our responsibility to educate others about this issue.  STEP, or Students Teaching & Empowering Peers, is a group on campus that is committed to educating others on interpersonal violence as well as empowering students to be active bystanders, thus positively effecting social change on campus. I first heard about STEP my freshman year when they held a presentation about how we as students can act as active bystanders if we see someone who is unable to give consent or is in an alarming situation. If you would like to know more information about STEP and what they do, here is the link to their Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopecollegestep.

For more information about The Invisible War and how YOU can take action against the epidemic of sexual assault in the military, go to: http://www.notinvisible.org

Thanks so much for reading!

Ben Rector’s music happens to be pretty popular here around Hope College, and who can blame us? His songs are chill, beautiful, meaningful, beautiful, interesting, beautiful, great, beautiful, fun, beautiful, relatable, and beautiful. Here are the top five times you should listen to them!

5. Health Dynamics class

Health dy is kind of like the college equivalent of P.E. class, and it’s a general education requirement here at Hope, so everybody takes it. Per doctor’s orders because of my back, I’m not allowed to do most of what my class does, so I usually end up walking around the track or riding a stationary bike for an hour. Perfect time to listen to some BR.

4. In the car

Ben Rector was a huge part of my playlist for the drive from Illinois to Holland in August. He’s also the #1 played music in my car as I travel throughout West Michigan. It’s great windows down, singing along music.

3. Homework time

Since Ben’s music is pretty chill, it’s not too distracting to listen to while I do homework! His songs are great background tunes for studying or paper writing.

2. When he comes to Hope College

Most perfect concert I could have ever dreamed up. I loved Ben’s show at Hope in September.

1. All the time.

There’s never, ever, ever a bad time to listen to Ben Rector. He’s great. If you aren’t familiar with his tunes, you should definitely change that. Your whole life will probably change.

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What’s your favorite Ben Rector song? Let me know on Twitter (@hopekathryn17), Instagram (@kathrynekrieger), or via email at kathryn.krieger@hope.edu!

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“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

– Colossians 3:16