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Celebrating in the sunshine 

Student parent group celebrates their first year at a picnic

By Karen Herland

After a successful inaugural year, Concordia University Student Parents (CUSP) celebrated in style with a picnic feast on the grounds of the Grey Nuns Mother House on May 16.

“We have over 200 members, but we wanted to prioritize graduating students,” said coordinator Kristy Heeren. She added that social events (the group has regularly held cookouts and recipe exchanges since opening a centre last fall) provide student parents the opportunity to connect and share experiences and strategies, “you don’t always know the students in your class are also parents.”

The first-come, first-served event attracted several dozen parents and children with more on a waiting list. Those present enjoyed treats prepared by Kally Gicopoulos, first CUSP Coordinator and volunteer cookout chef. The fixings were donated by Efty Mourelatos, whose stores have provided the food served at CUSP events since the first cookout. At the picnic, Dean of Students Beth Morey gave Mourelatos a certificate of appreciation and some Concordia mementos. Mourelatos promised to continue to supply food for the group through next year.

Amongst those present were Christina Gerwing, Communication Studies, with her daughter Keitanna, and Olivia Flowers, French literature, and her daughter Inca. The four met at a CUSP event and have been enjoying regular sleepovers, picnics and sugar shack and movie outings ever since. Both single moms talk on the phone regularly and their daughters, “now behave like sisters, bickering and making up, whispering secrets and yelling at the top of their lungs, bouncing on beds and playing dress up,” according to an email Flowers wrote about the importance this relationship, and CUSP has had in their lives.

The project was initiated by Morey with support from the Multi-Faith Chaplaincy, the Centre for Native Education and community groups like Project Chance. CUSP offers a lounge and quiet place to study as well as a play area for children and help with job and apartment searches. The group sponsors information sessions, along with social activities.

Next year CUSP will initiate a random survey through the Office of Institutional Planning to more accurately determine the number of student parents on campus (currently estimated at 10 to 15%) and their needs. All those who are contacted are encouraged to respond, whether or not they need support as student parents, to ensure that the randomized sample remains as accurate as possible.