What Does the Silent Auction Benefit?
The Silent Auction is Family Connection’s biggest fundraiser for the FSU Family Fund. The Family Fund is a not-for-profit program that provides valuable financial assistance to services and programs that directly impact FSU students, where tuition and fees are not available. Family members like you can help provide these resources for students. Check out the types of programs and services that are offered, thanks to the Family Fund!
Student Scholarships
Family Connection has partnered with the Center for Leadership & Social Change to offer up to 10 $350 scholarships each year. These scholarships are just one of the opportunities that benefit from the Garnet & Gold Silent Auction, held on Family Weekend in 1851 (824 West Jefferson St. – first floor of Azalea Residence Hall) from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm. Come and show your support for student success and one of FSU’s other amazing organizations by supporting the Family Fund!
Victim Advocate Program
The Victim Advocate Program (VAP) at Florida State provides confidential crisis intervention services for victims of crimes. They serve as a 24-hour support system for a victim, providing temporary housing, counseling, information, and accompaniment through any medical and legal processes. VAP has been on campus since the late 1980’s but was not fully established under the Dean of Students Department until 1993. Since then, they have helped thousands of victims on and off-campus, providing a confidential source of comfort. Police reports are not filed when a victim comes in, and legal cases are not started until a victim asks explicitly. Legal Services of North Florida, in conjunction with the Victim Advocate Program, provides free legal aid for any victim of crime affiliated with Florida State.
For families, it can be scary to have your student embark on their educational journey in a new setting away from home, but programs like VAP are what can keep them safe in their most dire circumstances. Family Connection and their funds have provided the Victim Advocate Program an opportunity to create move-in packets for victims when they are displaced from their homes. These packets include products like body wash, toothbrushes, blankets, and other essentials.
Although the Family Connection funds have helped, they are always looking for donations. VAP provides hotel rooms, which can be costly at certain times of year, they assist in paying for medication for the victims and provide mini-kitchens for victims displaced that need grocery essentials. VAP is just one of the organizations that benefit from the Garnet & Gold Silent Auction, held on Family Weekend in 1851 (824 West Jefferson St. – first floor of Azalea Residence Hall) from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm. Come and show your support for VAP or one of FSU’s other amazing organizations by supporting the Family Fund!
Unconquered Scholars Program
Florida State University’s Unconquered Scholars program was formed in 2012 by students, for students. The program is designed to support students that experienced foster care, homelessness, relative care, or were wards of the state during high school. Unconquered Scholars provides guidance for incoming freshmen, as well as a support system where they can come together and share in their experiences. Currently, the program assists 110 undergraduate students with either financial support, emotional support, or academic support. This program, although new, has turned out incredible statistics. The percentage of foster students in the United States that earn a degree is only around 2%, while FSU’s Unconquered Scholars outperform traditional students with a 90% graduation rate. The Unconquered Scholars may have been the most vulnerable before joining college, but they have risen above all expectations with an average of a 3.01 GPA.
Family Connection funds sponsor graduating Unconquered Scholars, covering the cost for their cap and gown rentals.
The organization is always looking for more financial help, to assist their students in covering the essentials, such as school supplies and meal plans. They are also looking for adults in different professional industries that will mentor these scholars, giving them a path for a better future ahead. Unconquered Scholars is just one of the organizations that benefit from the Garnet & Gold Silent Auction, held on Family Weekend in 1851 (824 West Jefferson St. – first floor of Azalea Residence Hall) from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm. Come and show your support for Unconquered Scholars or one of FSU’s other amazing organizations by supporting the Family Fund!
Professional Clothing Closet
The Professional Clothing Closet, located in University Center A, provides a safe place for students to go pick out a suit, dress, or any professional clothing for free. This organization is completely benefactor based. Although the Professional Clothing Closet has only been established on campus since September 2016, its impact on the student body is astounding. So far, the Professional Clothing Closet has served over 300 students and over a thousand pieces of donated clothing. Assisting students with such a vital essential like professional clothing for interviews is making a lasting difference in the lives of FSU students.
It is important for a student to have at least one full suit or professional ensemble for interviews. Earlier this semester Family Connection donated funds to the Professional Clothing Closet allowing them to purchase much-needed items and sizes. They were able to provide students with fourteen suit jackets, ten pairs of pants, and one suit skirt. The Professional Clothing Closet is just one of the organizations that benefit from the Garnet & Gold Silent Auction, held on Family Weekend in 1851 (824 West Jefferson St. – first floor of Azalea Residence Hall) from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm. Come and show your support for the Professional Clothing Closet or one of FSU’s other amazing organizations by supporting the Family Fund!