The toils of managing schoolwork, personal finances and relationships in the midst of a pandemic can wear down even the sturdiest of college students. Winthrop psychology major Clara Benson manages all this in addition to serving as the founder and director of the Community Resources for Enduring Wellness (CREW), a nonprofit organization that aims to provide access to necessary resources in underserved communities.
One of the first initiatives launched by the nonprofit organization was the Black Wellness Project, an online and still developing database that aims to link black patients with black healthcare professionals.
“The inspiration for the Black Wellness Project came from the incessant inquiries from friends centered around finding black health professionals,” Benson said. “A colleague of mine, Latia Curtis, asked me three times in one week. I knew then that something needed to be done. So, in 2020, I spent the weekend between Summer 1 and Summer 2 compiling the Black Therapist List.”
“…It seemed like such a simple, logical thing to do. I could not figure out why no one else had done it. I know what it feels like to spiral and not have needed support. I wanted to do my part to ensure wellness resources would be available to those who want them.”
Benson officially established CREW in June 2020. Within the first few months of the nonprofit’s establishment, Benson attained a $40,000 grant from the Southern Power Fund through the Highlander Research and Education Center, according
to Winthrop Communications Coordinator Nicole Chisari. From there, she began using the funds to hire a staff to aid in maintaining and improving the organization as well as compensate consultants.
“That grant money mainly went towards hiring and contracting an accountant, grant writer, strategic planner, website developer, project assistant, as well as compensating myself and other consultants for the long hours of work required to make our vision a reality. It really set us up to be able to do the best work in the most effective ways. Without it, this project would not have grown wings until May of 2021, leaving vital resources out of reach of South Carolinians for even longer. I am grateful to the Southern Power Fund for investing in wellness resources for southern folks,” Benson said.
Moving forward, Benson hopes to expand the organization’s reach into other states, as well as hire additional staff members and begin serving as a resource for curriculum development.
“The future is bright. This year, we anticipate being fully funded so that we will be able to hire an assistant director, paid intern, and part-time fundraiser. We will launch the virtual database in June and have plans to expand it to include both North Carolina and Georgia before the end of the year. Within the next five years, my hope is that we will have boots on the ground across the south, engaging in resource bridging and sponsorship of community-created wellness programs,” Benson said.
“I encourage the campus community to consider doing community work. No matter our talent, there is much work to be done in order for us to ensure equity and liberation for all people.”
More information regarding CREW and the Black Wellness Project can be found through emailing info@crewsc.org.
Photo courtesy to Winthrop University
