Jessica Pellegrino – General Assignment Reporter
The rainy weather seemed to only add Jeremy Grier’s excitement as he explained what #Cr3s3rv means.
“We spell it like that to make people think hard about it. But it really means Creative Services. It’s a group of young entrepreneurs who set out to service the community in any way possible.”
The Multicultural Center, in partnership with #Cr3s3rv, held a Community Fair in the Residence Quad on Oct. 20. Jeremy Grier, representative for the Multicultural Center and member of #Cr3s3rv, helped organize the fair.
“The idea behind the Community Fair was to collaborate with Greek Life, Fashion organizations, and local businesses within New Haven. This event helps our mission to service our community.” says Grier.
The Community Fair showcased multicultural Greek organizations such as Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., WSIN radio’s “Mouth N Off,” and nonprofit organization CitySeed.
The event was DJed by SCSU’s own DJ J Money. The Community Fair aided in bringing attention to community service oriented groups on Southern’s campus and in the community surrounding Southern.
One of the groups represented at the Community Fair was WSIN Radio show “Mouth N Off”. Chris Haith, radio personality for “Mouth N Off,” started the show alone last spring.
“When I started ‘Mouth N Off’ I was the whole show.” says Haith. “Now, we have expanded to six people. We also have an actual audience now which is really cool. I started the in the hopes of empowering individuals. That is the reason I joined in on this Community Fair. Jeremy reached out to me and I realized it would be the perfect way to get ourselves out there.”
“Mouth N Off” radio is a mix of talk radio and music, similar to radio stations like Hot 93.7. Haith said, “The actual radio show is where our community element comes in to play. I really like to showcase local talents and artists. I like giving them the opportunity to be heard.”
Another organization represented at the Community Fair was CitySeed. CitySeed is a nonprofit organization based in New Haven which fights for food justice.
CitySeed promotes the process of community growing, selling, and eating of healthy foods. They host five farmers markets around New Haven and Fair Haven. CitySeed believes that everyone should have the right to fresh, affordable food so they created a program in which SNAP Benefits can be applied to their farmers market. Briana Williams, representative of CitySeed explained its purpose at the Community Fair.
Williams says, “I’m here at this Community Fair as a recent college graduation. So, I know sometimes eating healthy is not a main priority for students. But CitySeed aims to bring fresh fruits and vegetables to all of New Haven, including students. Healthy eating is important and I want to stress that to college students.”
Multicultural Greek Life was heavily represented at the Community Fair. Members of various organizations set up tables displaying themselves.
Merritt Ruff, brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., was among the Greeks in attendance. Ruff, an advocate for community service and Greek unity, expressed the importance of events such as the community fair.
“One of the most important things about Greek life is brotherhood.” says Ruff. “Events like this where we all come out to support each other really display brotherhood. It’s really important that we all show up to community service events like this one because we all hold community service to dear. Especially events that service our immediate community, those are incredibly important.”
The Community Fair was only part one of a series of events held by the Multicultural Center and #Cr3s3rv.
Photo Credit: Jessica Pellegrino
