2008 Woodie Awards
Volunteer listens in Student Union
Megan Wood
Issue date: 3/6/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Some know her as the crazy peanut lady, while others know her as the listening lady.
"I'd like to think of myself as a campus mother, aunt, sister, friend to SJSU students," Trudi Clifton-Vizvary, volunteer for the Listening Post, said.
As a part of a national project for mental health awareness, San Jose State University's student organization, sjspirit.org funds the Listening Post, stationed in the Student Union as a resource for students.
Although funded and sponsored by an Episcopal church, the Listening Post focuses on mental health and the psychological wellbeing of college students rather than religion.
"People tend to be put off by religious things on the table … students' needs are so great, we're not here to push religion," Clifton-Vizvary said.
She also emphasized that they do not necessarily offer advice to students but rather empower them to make decisions and choices based on their personal needs.
"She gives me great insight and direction on how to approach difficult decisions," Manuel Villegas, a graduate student studying Spanish, said.
Clifton-Vizvary said her goal was that by highlighting students' choices it will empower them and give them the confidence they need to approach situations with a clear and sound mind to make decisions.
"I consider her a great friend - she is experienced and knows how to help me make choices in life," said Nhung Hoang, a freshman majoring in nursing.
Hoang's friends had volunteered for the Listening Post and it was then that she learned what it was all about and decided to keep coming back.
"Last week she brought me yummy food left over from Chinese New Year," Clifton-Vizvary said about Hoang.
The life of a college student is riddled with stress and difficulties, Clifton-Vizvary said. She emphasized the importance for students to have an un-biased person to talk to about their problems and issues that they're dealing with.
"It helps to have someone who is objective - neutral, that you can tell anything and there will not be repercussions later in the relationship," Clifton-Vizvary said.
"If you notice, everyone is rushing in their own direction, no one stops to interact … you can talk to someone on the phone, but are they really listening, do they understand?" Manuel Villegas said. "That is why she is such a valuable person to have."
Listening Posts are a national project and can be found in places such as grocery store parking lots, airports and shopping malls as well as college campuses nationwide.
"I can't wait to come here in the morning, I love this job and the students stay with me even when I go home … I think of them and I worry about the ones that deal with heavy life matters. The students, they touch me," Clifton-Vizvary said.
The Listening Post is on Campus Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the main level of the Student Union.
Students interested in volunteering for the Listening Post can contact www.sjspirit.org or stop by the Listening Post.
"I'd like to think of myself as a campus mother, aunt, sister, friend to SJSU students," Trudi Clifton-Vizvary, volunteer for the Listening Post, said.
As a part of a national project for mental health awareness, San Jose State University's student organization, sjspirit.org funds the Listening Post, stationed in the Student Union as a resource for students.
Although funded and sponsored by an Episcopal church, the Listening Post focuses on mental health and the psychological wellbeing of college students rather than religion.
"People tend to be put off by religious things on the table … students' needs are so great, we're not here to push religion," Clifton-Vizvary said.
She also emphasized that they do not necessarily offer advice to students but rather empower them to make decisions and choices based on their personal needs.
"She gives me great insight and direction on how to approach difficult decisions," Manuel Villegas, a graduate student studying Spanish, said.
Clifton-Vizvary said her goal was that by highlighting students' choices it will empower them and give them the confidence they need to approach situations with a clear and sound mind to make decisions.
"I consider her a great friend - she is experienced and knows how to help me make choices in life," said Nhung Hoang, a freshman majoring in nursing.
Hoang's friends had volunteered for the Listening Post and it was then that she learned what it was all about and decided to keep coming back.
"Last week she brought me yummy food left over from Chinese New Year," Clifton-Vizvary said about Hoang.
The life of a college student is riddled with stress and difficulties, Clifton-Vizvary said. She emphasized the importance for students to have an un-biased person to talk to about their problems and issues that they're dealing with.
"It helps to have someone who is objective - neutral, that you can tell anything and there will not be repercussions later in the relationship," Clifton-Vizvary said.
"If you notice, everyone is rushing in their own direction, no one stops to interact … you can talk to someone on the phone, but are they really listening, do they understand?" Manuel Villegas said. "That is why she is such a valuable person to have."
Listening Posts are a national project and can be found in places such as grocery store parking lots, airports and shopping malls as well as college campuses nationwide.
"I can't wait to come here in the morning, I love this job and the students stay with me even when I go home … I think of them and I worry about the ones that deal with heavy life matters. The students, they touch me," Clifton-Vizvary said.
The Listening Post is on Campus Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the main level of the Student Union.
Students interested in volunteering for the Listening Post can contact www.sjspirit.org or stop by the Listening Post.
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