“Flint is resilient in every sense of the word,” St. Cin said. “The people are strong and dedicated to overcoming every obstacle that is placed in front of them. I, like most, take pride in the character that comes from that spirit of perseverance.” Robert St. Cin
Grand Rapids Campus BLSA Students Join Forces and Deliver Water to Flint Members of the Black Law Student Association (BLSA) at WMU-Cooley Law School’s Grand Rapids campus also held a water drive to support Flint residents. Students, faculty and staff donated 353 gallons of water, which students delivered to the YWCA of Greater Flint.
As St. Cin conversed with friends who reside in downtown Flint, he became aware of the city’s water issue and immediately stepped in to help.
When Flint’s water crisis catapulted into the national media, Cooley students became even more cognizant of the oncampus effort to help Flint.
“It’s awful. It’s a basic human tenet to have water that’s safe for drinking and bathing,” St. Cin said. “When I hear that drinking water for family and friends isn’t suitable for pets, it’s shocking. It rattles you a bit.”
“It opened up more dialogue across campus,” St. Cin said. “As soon as it became public and national news, you could sense more interest on campus.”
In early October, St. Cin organized an on-campus water bottle drive for Flint. He placed two sizable containers for water donations at various hightraffic access points on campus. Within a couple days, one of St. Cin’s professors took notice of the effort and promoted the water bottle drive to school administrators.
Within six weeks, students collected hundreds of water bottles, which were donated to the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan to distribute to Flint residents. St. Cin’s organized water drive on campus also spurred additional efforts that generated water filter and cash donations for Flint. “I saw students on campus as an untapped market
to help Flint residents, so people like my family and friends didn’t have to drive five miles to get clean water. I thought it was a practical thing to do,” he said. “The Auburn Hills campus is a small, but very caring campus. Everyone is willing to help when in need.” While his organized effort generated a movement across campus, St. Cin remains humble.
“BLSA wanted to demonstrate that although we are not a part of Flint’s community, we still understand and feel their misfortune,” said Kenyata McGill, WMU-Cooley law school student.
“We hope our actions prompt others in the Grand Rapids community to take action as well.”
“I don’t consider myself an activist,” he said. “It just feels natural to help people when you see them in need. It’s not anything above and beyond in my mind. It’s just what you do.” Members of the Black Law Student Association at WMU-Cooley’s Grand Rapids campus delivered 353 gallons of water to the YWCA of Greater Flint that were donated by the law school’s students, faculty and staff.
19