Midwestern Students Partner Local Agencies for Valentine’s Dance

Midwestern University students from the Downers Grove Campus recently hosted a virtual Valentine’s Dance for clients from the South East Association for Special Parks and Recreation (SEASPAR) and the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA). The virtual event was organized by students in the Clinical Psychology Program and sponsored by the College of Health Sciences, the Office of Student Services, and the Clinical Psychology Program. Students from other academic programs including osteopathic medicine and occupational therapy also participated in the event.

Despite the virtual setting, the volunteers and guests were able to dance with one another, enjoy the same music, and complete a craft project using a virtual platform. “More than ever, it is essential for Clinical Psychology students to reach out to the community and create opportunities for socialization. Given the ongoing pandemic, it has been challenging to host in-person social gatherings and events, and yet it is critical to find alternative and safe ways of preserving them, as social interaction is an important factor in mental health,” said Guadalupe Hernandez, Clinical Psychology Class of 2026 President and one of the organizers of the dance.

The event is an annual tradition on the Downers Grove Campus and an opportunity for students to learn more about the diverse group of people they may care for in their future careers. “In order to be a better healthcare practitioner, it is crucial that we not only familiarize ourselves with our community members but that we also connect and interact with them. Taking part in this dance allows us the opportunity to do all of that, particularly with a population that is often underserved,” Guadalupe added.

Midwestern University is proud of our longstanding community partnerships with SEASPAR, a special recreation association that provides programs and recreation services for people with disabilities, and WDSRA which offers community-based recreational programs and inclusion services for children, teens, and adults with special needs.