“Flourish,” an RSO starting up next semester, will practice outreach to the community of Bloomington-Normal, with a mission to support young women, fem-identifying and non-binary people, and support higher education. 

Freshman Madeline Hall was inspired to start “Flourish” because she said she valued the education she was able to have. 

“I want to make sure that women in the community get the same support and opportunity that I did,” Hall said. 

Hall wants to focus on presenting information about the common application, holding writing workshops and eventually funding a scholarship. Hall has plans for “Flourish” to serve as support toward higher education for women in the Bloomington-Normal community.

In the spring semester and going forward, “Flourish” will hold bake sales, sell merchandise and eventually ask for donations to support the community-funded scholarship.

The idea was born and created because Hall wanted to be a part of a movement towards making education seem accessible. 

According to Hall, the goals of “Flourish” are to support a community sourced scholarship annually starting next year for the women we help. 

Plans have also been put in place to create a mentor program where local high school students will have a “Flourish” member to guide them, and help them through the college application process starting their junior year in high school. 

“We first plan to connect with Bloomington High School, and small businesses who also believe in, and support our mission,” Hall said. 

“Flourish” also plans to partner with the local farmers market to sell its goods there to make the community of Bloomington-Normal involvement greater, and the effect on the community larger.

Students interested in joining in the spring should contact Madeline Hall at [email protected].