On Sept 17 Belmont University hosted their annual Community Connections fair in efforts to . get Belmont students involved in the community. There were several organizations of the local community present.

Each organization set up a table with pamphlets and posters informing students on what they represented. Students walked around the Maddox Atrium in hopes of finding an organization they could potentially volunteer at. The organizations seemed excited about new volunteers. Many of them had takeaways or tokens a student could keep for future references.

Dancing Divas, a dance team for individuals with special needs aims to show society the value and abilities of individuals with special needs. The founder of Dancing Divas explained she began the organization for her special needs daughter and it grew from there. The organization has a studio in Franklin, Tenn. where volunteers can come and be dancing buddy or coach. “Oh they have the best time” noted one representative of Dancing Divas.

Another organization YMCA focuses on empowering women while eliminating racism and diminishing domestic violence and racism. YWCA does this through partnering with different organizations through middle tennessee such as Girls Inc., Amend Together, and Dress For Success. All aim to provide a voice for women through their programs that bring awareness and education about these issues to the community.

Girls On The Run inspires girls to recognize and celebrate what makes them unique. The representative for Girls On The Run expressed “Girls face social and conflicting messages on how they should act and who they should be.” In the 10 years they have served the community, 2,888 girls have been helped. Volunteers can help by being running buddies or coaches.