Bruin Belles Service Association

Stepping foot onto the campus at UCLA, I felt overwhelmed yet excited about the multitude of opportunities that were available for students. After reaching out to a senior friend at UCLA about her experiences, I noticed she mentioned an organization called Bruin Belles Service Association that she wished she applied to. After visiting the activities fair and the open house, I knew Bruin Belles was exactly what I was looking for at UCLA. The past two years in Belles has given me the opportunity to volunteer at autism research events, attend the American Music Awards, assist at a pie eating contest, play basketball with individuals with cognitive disabilities, and so much more. I found myself especially fascinated by the events where I worked with children and individuals with disabilities. The social implications of science and medicine was an aspect I believed had much potential needing to be unlocked. This past quarter I was fortunate to join another Belle in playing weekly basketbal…

Bruin Belles is full of incredible women that never cease to amaze and inspire me. No matter what is happening, or how busy they are, if you need a friend- someone will be there for you to lift you back up. Trying to think of my favorite Belle memory or event to highlight was really difficult because I had so many great moments within Belles that it seemed limiting to just pick one. What I think makes Belles so special is more than the events, but rather the relationships and support you gain by being surrounded by such genuine women. An example of this has been Tuesday night dinners. For the past two quarters myself and another Belle have dinner every Tuesday. No matter how stressful our weeks are, we make sure to go to our weekly dinners. Sometimes we talk for hours about social media and body image, other times we will just laugh about the most random things. Our Tuesday dinners have become such a special part of my week and remind me that I have someone on my side. Her love and su…

When I came to UCLA, I was extremely overwhelmed by the copious amounts of clubs offered here. I felt the pressure to follow those around me and sign up for multiple commitments, so passionate about being a part of everything. It was difficult to keep my true passions in mind and which clubs would align with what I was truly searching for. This is why it took me until my 2nd year to find out about Bruin Belles. In this club I have found more than I could’ve wanted in an organization on this huge campus. I have found opportunities to get involved in the community, something I had loved doing in high school and had been missing during my first year in college. I have found mentors who have shown me genuine support and effort in helping me pursue my professional endeavors. Most importantly I have found an amazing group of women whom I consider some of my closest friends. Every Belle I have been able to get to know has inspired me in one way or another. Coming from all different backgroun…

There is no doubt that winter quarter was filled with more rain than I thought I would see in Los Angeles. Amidst the stress of winter quarter, trudging across campus with wet socks and bundled in 4 different layers seemed to only make the quarter go by slower. However, on a Saturday leading into week 6, it seemed we may have reached a turning point. Myself and 3 other belles traveled through LA this sunny morning to a local elementary school. Upon arrival we were greeted by a volunteer coordinator who showed us to a beautiful garden full of a variety of plants and colorful signs. Along with the other volunteers, we spent the morning weeding and mulching garden beds as well as getting to know fellow volunteers. Despite our aching knees we laughed throughout the morning as we struggled to pull out large weeds. As the event came to a close, light rain began to fall from the sun-filled sky, making the morning all the more magical. Finally, volunteers were invited to join families of the …

Coming to college, I knew I would be entering a phase of my life where I’d be learning from some of the best individuals in their field. However, I never would’ve expected the greatest lessons to come from the friends I surround myself with. For me, joining Belles began as a way to be involved in the community and make a local impact. I never expected a Philanthropy based organization to introduce me to a group of women who would be my greatest support system, mentors, and friends.
The past year, I’ve tried to live my life following two mottos: 1) Be the person you needed when you were younger, and 2) Prioritize people over worries and material things. Belles is a constant reminder of these values. It continually impresses me how everyone in Belles devotes their time because they genuinely care about making a difference. Some of the greatest lessons I’ve learned in college have sparked from Belles events that morphed into deeper conversations. I can’t express how much I appreciate the …

There are several amazing BBSA events throughout the year, but perhaps my favorite was BBSA Alumni Philanthropy Event. One rainy February morning, we ventured downtown to the Los Angeles Food Bank for the first ever all-belles philanthropy event. The LA Food Bank provides for those experiencing food insecurity, which is roughly 1.4 million Los Angeles County residents, many of whom are children, senior citizens, and families. BBSA is a philanthropic organization at heart, so it was great to have the opportunity to reflect upon our mission and have a hands-on experience with a direct impact on our community.
During the day, we sorted over 18,000lbs of apples and oranges to be distributed to elementary schools in underserved neighborhoods so they would have fresh fruit in their lunches. There are several things we often take granted in our everyday lives, so it was impactful and humbling experience to participate in the Food Bank’s efforts to ensure LA County residents have the basic nec…