An idea that began as a response to the mental health crisis on the NC State campus has become so much more.
The Story
As a response to the record number of suicides on our campus, I began reaching out to the people around me, encouraging them and myself to do something that not only made us happy but also allowed us to relax. College was stressful before COVID-19 and returning to school after a pandemic with the assumption that everything would return to how it was before was one that weighed heavy on all of our shoulders. After a long initiation process, the club started the 2022 school year with 2 members (including me) and grew to 5 by April. It was slow going and it made me want to quit, call the idea a failure, and move on. In the fall of 2023, I was prepared to dissolve the organization and find something that would prepare me for the career world, but then, I started getting membership requests and follow requests on Instagram and emails about inquiries. By the week before school started, I was getting contacted almost every day.
And since then, CFAC has transformed from a chore into a passion, fueled by dedicated members who never miss a meeting and share photos of the product they create. To date, we have 71 registered members and a Yarn Ball (yes, just like the Yule Ball in Harry Potter) planned. More than just an opportunity to give back, this club has become a community.
The 2024 - 2025 School Year
Theme
This semester, we are embracing the theme of “Bounce Back from Stress.” Our goal is to reconnect with the NC State community and foster resilience among students as we navigate the semester.
Cause
Beyond our weekly meetings, we aim to alleviate stress through meaningful projects that resonate with our members and the larger campus community.
Project
In line with our commitment to supporting student well-being, we are excited to announce our goal of producing 150 stress balls by November 15th. These will be distributed during exam season to help students unwind and refocus.
Bounce Back from Stress
Our Project Pattern!Extra Media
Past Semesters
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This semester is very multifaceted!
Theme: Still determined to encourage kids to read, the theme for this semester is 'Go to the Library!' We hope our bookmarks will foster excitement to learn about all of the resources the library has to offer.
Taking a break from collection drives: this semester, our leadership team and I have begun connecting with different student organizations on campus to begin partner collaborations. Some of our upcoming ones are:
Cosplay and Costuming Convention: Keynote and Workshop: 'You Too Can Make a Character-Themed Bandana!'
WiCS x CFAC x College Mentors: Crocheted coding maps for elementary school students. We will need 512 crocheted squares.
Wolfpack Beds: An opportunity to learn about plarning (working with plastic bag yarn) and help create sleeping mats for our homeless population in Raleigh.
NC State Wolfstock: CFAC participated in NC State's end-of-year Wolfstock festival by hosting a create-your-own-flower tie-dye booth, featuring crocheted leaves and flowers. The event was a fantastic celebration to wrap up the year! See our event recap here, or scroll down for extra media.
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In the 2022-2023 summer semester, our club underwent a remodeling. The new format for this semester includes:
Theme: Our theme for this semester is 'Reading Accessibility in the Triangle,' focusing on improving access to literature in our area.
Cause: We will make donations to the Raleigh Rescue Mission and the Methodist Home for Children, benefiting homeless individuals, young adults, and children.
Product: We plan to donate crocheted bookmarks with every book to support our cause.
Drive: Our university-wide collection drive will gather reading glasses, young adult novels, and children's books.