BIPOC PLSG (peer led support group), is a drop-in, confidential healing space for survivors of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking, and/or sexual harassment, who identify as people of color. Facilitated by student staff, BIPOC PLSG is a place for survivors of color at UM to find not only community but healing opportunities, including anxiety-reduction, self-care activities, and mindfulness.
POC PLSG offers low-key activities as well as a safe space for sharing experiences with racial/ethnic identity, violence, and the intersection between both, as people are comfortable sharing. Survivors are welcome whether they experienced harm in college, or earlier in life.
This space specifically centers UM student survivors who identify as people of color; if you do not identify as a person of color, we encourage you to consider joining SAPAC’s general Peer Led Support Group.
To fill out a confidential interest form and receive emails from facilitators: BIPOC PLSG Interest Form.
Email: [email protected]
Winter 2024 Meeting Schedule:
When:
Mondays via Zoom - 5:30-6:30pm
Fridays in person - 4:30-5:30pm
Final Meeting of Winter 2024 will be Friday April 26th!
Location:
In person - SAPAC Office, 4100 Michigan Union, Virtual - Zoom
Welcome Back Group Meeting on Friday 1/19 at 4:30 in the SAPAC Shared Space (Union 4100)
The purpose of this first group is just to have a welcome back gathering with refreshments and reviewing/setting community guidelines for the group this semester.
Meet the Facilitators:
Ariel Chatman is a Senior from New Jersey majoring in Women’s and Gender Studies. Outside of school, Ariel loves gardening, working on creative projects, gaming, and cooking. She became a BIPOC PLSG co-facilitator to support survivors of color, conscious of how their experiences may differ based on varying racial/ethnic identities. This semester, Ariel would love to implement various events and creative activities to encourage community and solidarity among members. This is Ariel’s second semester working with SAPAC, and she is looking forward to building relationships with participants, cultivating a mindful healing space, and offering support to BIPOC students navigating their experience at UofM overall!
Krishna Kiru is a senior from Novi, Michigan, with a strong interest in community engagement and advocacy. Her interest in the BIPOC PLSG co-facilitator role was sparked due to having close relationships with people who have gone through sexual violence. Krishna has gained valuable experience working with the Bystander Intervention and Community Engagement Committee, where she focused on creating safer environments and encouraging bystander intervention in various situations. Outside of SAPAC, Krishna enjoys playing the piano, working out, and reading. Krishna hopes to apply her passions to the legal field, where she would like to make a meaningful impact by advocating for children who are victims of sex trafficking on a global scale.
