Leslie's Story

Stetson University ‘22

I really struggled to feel like I belonged at Stetson during my first year or so. I couldn’t meet people and it was personally draining. I got lucky, and in the fall of 2021, I found Wesley. By the spring of 2022, I made the choice to move into the house. I’ve discovered my “found family” here while meeting all sorts of people; I’ve opened up and grown more than I could have expected as a previously introverted person.

A very important pillar of Wesley is striving to further a community bond. We want to bring people closer and provide support for those who need it; this includes not only Wesley residents like me but also the students at Stetson who could be impacted by what we do. I’m so grateful that I’ve had the chance to further this cause and be an outstretched hand for those who need it. With the Fifty to Five Campaign, I really hope we gain a lot of traction so we can have more opportunities to reach out to those students who are in the same place I was.

👉 Please consider giving today.

Blue's Story

Stetson University ‘23

After returning from online classes, I felt very isolated and alone. I was invited to an Art and Soul event where I met my current housemates. We connected and got along so well; I had no idea I was in the process of not only meeting the closest friends I’ve had at Stetson but also in my life. I spent months feeling unhappy because I felt out of place and lacked community, but then I found Stetson Wesley.
 
Being at Stetson Wesley has not only benefited my overall experience at Stetson but has also filled my everyday life with friends who I consider my family. The experience of community with my friends at Wesley has given me a chance to be proud of both my bisexual identity and my spirituality. Living in the house has become a safe space where I can work with a diverse team of friends who care about me and allow us to build off each other's experiences.

👉 Please consider giving today.

Brendan's Story

Stetson University ‘24

My name is Brendan Guillen and I have been a resident at Stetson Wesley since spring 2022. As a student who began attending Stetson during the height of the pandemic, I found it especially important to find community. This gradually became a difficult task, as on-campus events would get pushed back due to COVID-19 regulations and I had no friends who attended Stetson. I discovered Stetson Wesley via the first Art and Soul event of the fall 2021 semester. The fusion of art and spirituality while being a safe haven to express myself was exactly what I needed. It was at this event that I began to form an on-campus social circle and become immersed in the Stetson community. I was able to root myself further with Wesley Wanders: an event series centered on outdoor recreation and spiritual rejuvenation. 

It is through Wesley Wanders that the student body has an opportunity to engage with the world beyond campus. Last spring, we took several trips down to DynoClimb and concluded the semester with a daytrip to Wekiva Springs. These off-campus experiences allow students an outlet to escape academic pressure and a chance to become more familiar with the area. 

Through the Fifty to Five campaign, I'm hoping that we are able to continue to serve the Stetson community by providing a place for spiritual rejuvenation, broader engagement with the community and world at large, and a safe haven for expression. 

👉 Please consider giving today.