Students saving themselves

SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere) is an organization on the Chico State campus that aims to increase safety and accountability within the student body. It was founded by a group of students who came together in the fall of 2011 and wanted to provide our peers with resources that increased personal accountability and awareness about the violent issues that affect our community.

It was important to those of us who created the club that SAVE be an effort created by students for students. We believe that in order to make a positive change in the Chico culture, this had to be a program that was driven by the experiences and ideas of students. As members of this community, we have an obligation to address these issues and work toward implementing solutions that will contribute to positive changes.

It has been two years since we began these discussions, and SAVE is now recognized by the university and has more than 100 students who identify and collaborate with our club. SAVE has hosted bystander-awareness workshops, resource fairs and bi-monthly club meetings.

Our executive board also had an integral role in planning the Call to Action Summit and Commitment to Action Summit that took place on campus this past year. Our organization has evolved into one that not only serves our students and campus, but also strives to strengthen the connections our students have with the larger community.

Students Against Violence Everywhere would like to invite you to our upcoming event, the Community Festival for Change. It will take place Friday, May 10, from 4 to 8 p.m. in the City Plaza. There will be a resource fair, information about student and community programs, music, food, activities and a raffle.

SAVE hopes to bring the Chico community together to continue the conversation regarding a collaborative future. Our community has faced many challenges over the last year, but we have also made great strides. Collectively we can change the culture on our campus and in our community.

The festival is an opportunity for the many programs, organizations and groups in our community to offer resources and connect with each other. As students, we want to show the rest of our community that we are motivated to be a part of a safer and well-rounded future.

Please contact savechicostate@gmail.com if you would like to know more about the event or Students Against Violence Everywhere.