Nonprofit organizations and religious clubs featured at Clubsfest
As students are starting college for the fall 2024 term, many of them are curious as to what’s new and available at Algonquin College. Many new students are also curious as to where to make new friends. That is where Clubsfest comes in.
Clubsfest in the Student Commons on Sept. 25 let students see their options for clubs to join during the fall term.
Charley Hicks, a student in early childhood education, made a musical theater club for Clubsfest. When asked about why a club about musical theatre was made, Hicks said: “I’ve been wanting to make a club about musical theatre ever since I was in musical theatre class in high school.”
Islamic Relief Canada was a part of Clubsfest as well. “We are a non-profit to help people suffering in Lebanon and Palestine,” said Dalia Alhaddad, who is studying in the bachelor of public safety program.
Islamic Relief Canada’s booth sold stickers that read “free Palestine” along with stickers that had watermelons, a common symbol of solidarity for Palestine.
Along with non-profit organizations, there were regular clubs for students to join, including the kali club, D&D tabletop club and musical theatre club.
Signing up for a club was easy. For example, the musical theatre club required students to write their name and Algonquin College email on a piece of paper. Five students were signing up for the club when the Algonquin Times visited the table.
“I’m interested in the D&D tabletop club and we just joined musical theatre club,” Lauren Davies said while she was hanging with her friend. Davies is in the food science and culinary arts program.
While many clubs were about certain niches and fandoms, the majority of clubs at Clubsfest had a religious theme. These clubs were mainly for connecting students with shared beliefs.
Clubs included Hillel Ottawa, Jewish Campus Life, The Feast Ottawa, Tree of Life Bible Academy and the MENA Arab Culture Society.
“We’re here to help students meet other students with similar backgrounds,” said Jamie Sweigman, director of Hillel Ottawa: Jewish Campus Life. “And when it comes to mental health, we offer therapy and therapists to students in need,” Sweigman added.
More than 10 clubs were promoting themselves at Clubsfest.
More information about events like Clubsfest can be found at www.algonquincollege.com/studentsupportservices/events/.
