Photo courtesy of Midland College.
Midland College students, employees band together to support Crisis Center
A Midland College honor society’s effort to support the Crisis Center of West Texas received an “overwhelming” response on campus, according to student organizer Maria Gonzalez. One professor went as far as to make the effort a class project, she said.
Last month, Gonzalez, vice president of the Midland College Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society, along with Dr. Terry Gilmour, government professor and honors program director, delivered 30 bags of personal care items and $767 to the center, courtesy of fellow students and employees.
The PTK picks a service project to benefit in Midland every year. On Oct. 26, PTK members asked for help from MC employee and students for donations to support the Crisis Center, where 47 survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse are being housed, including 19 adults and 28 children, according to Midland College.
“Individuals—both students and employees—contributed,” Gonzalez said. “A dual credit English class taught by Felicia Stovall joined us by making this their class project, and the Student Nurses Association contributed with many items, as well. People dropped off the items in Dr. Gilmour’s office and/or donated money.”
While researching their service project, PTK members learned much about the the Crisis Center, including why its services are needed.
“In 2021, there were 204 Texans killed by their intimate partners and 5 of those were in the Permian Basin,” Gonzalez explained. “People our age (14-25) are at the highest risk for interpersonal violence.”
To learn more about the Crisis Center of West Texas, which also maintains a 24-hour hotline and provides free counseling, case management and legal advocacy, and to find out how to contribute, visit its website here.
