Skip to main content

A Blossoming and Welcoming Community

 As a second year transfer and a senior, I could not be happier that I am closing out my year with Belles as the Community Outreach Co-Director. Transferring from a community college in the Bay Area, I lacked a sense of community in the Los Angeles area that held similar interests to mine. I had engaged in extensive community service while I was at community college, and I knew I wanted to continue serving but I did not want to be limited to one cause. BBSA explores service in a multitude of communities, and we have worked with organizations like Dress for Success, Share a Meal, Baby2Baby, Harvest Home, and more. In an institution as large as UCLA, it is easy to feel consumed and overwhelmed, feel alienated from the rest of your peers, and experience “FOMO” as many may say. While I did not have the typical college experience, as many of us did not due to the pandemic, I was able to join a community of like-minded women that represented what I was seeking. 

While we are focused on community outreach and women’s leadership, we also have other offices that make Belles so amazing! Our social office plans amazing events which keep Belles connected and allow us to create deeper bonds - some of my personal favorites have been the Salt & Straw social and the study sessions at YRL. There are so many wonderful things about each office in BBSA, you would have to join it to experience it yourself! 

If you’re searching for a new organization to join that fosters personal growth and amazing friendships, don’t hesitate to apply to BBSA. We can’t wait to add new Belles to our bunch! 

Belle Love, 

Jasmine 

Community Outreach Co-Director


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

A Senior's Reflection

A Senior's Reflection   As my time at UCLA and Belles comes to an end, I want to reflect on all the experiences I’ve been lucky enough to have over the past years. I am so grateful to be surrounded by so many great people, many of whom I have found through Belles. This community has given me so much and I could not be more appreciative. It provided such a welcoming and open space for me to grow as a person when I first arrived on campus at UCLA after a full year of online school. With the time I have been given in Westwood,  I have been challenged academically, learned to embrace independence and time alone, and have learned more about myself in the process. That is truly a gift.   That being said, some of my favorite and most impactful Belle events have been Meals on Wheels and Baby2Baby. Meals on Wheels was an amazing experience, and I truly felt like I was making a difference in the community. Through this organization, we packed meals and distributed them to older adu...

The Bruin Belles Community

When asked what Bruin Belles is all about, we summarize our focus on community service and women’s leadership, as we are united under these integral fundamentals. Yet, the experience of Bruin Belles extends far beyond those five words. Bruin Belles as an organization and the Belles in it are incredibly well-rounded. Attending community service events, campus sports and arts events, and women’s leadership events throughout every quarter connects Belles to fellow Belles, fellow students, the UCLA community, and the Los Angeles community at large. The wholistic nature of the events and goals of Bruin Belles provides Belles with the opportunity to enrich their UCLA experience. The significance of all the experiences that Bruin Belles provides is augmented by the caliber of the women themselves. Every Belle with whom I’ve had the incredible opportunity of becoming friends with is grounded, passionate, ambitious, and compassionate. I don’t use these words lightly. Regardless of major or inte...

A Sense of Belonging

Being surrounded by the incredibly driven, selfless and compassionate individuals that are Bruin Belles has been so fundamental to me finding a sense of belonging at the immensely intimidating and overwhelming institution that is UCLA. I am continually inspired by the ubiquitous drive to serve and learn among belles, despite the wide diversity of academic interests, campus involvements, and career aspirations. BBSA has allowed me to give, learn, and grow in ways I would have never expected, all while having a lot of fun. Some of my best memories range from making meaningful connections over coffee at Kerckhoff, engaging in hands-on philanthropy projects, and networking with incredible alumni and connected professionals.  To be frank, this quarter was both mentally and physically exhausting for me as I continue on my search to find my interests and niche at UCLA. However, seeing Belles every week kept me energized, positive, and motivated as I navigated through draining back-to...