The Department of Health Promotion and Prevention Education (HPPE) hosted Keep It Sexually Safe (K.I.S.S) Fest in the Seymour Union lounge on Feb. 13. K.I.S.S Fest is hosted every year before Valentine’s Day to ensure students are well informed on making healthy choices regarding topics such as safer sex, consent, healthy relationships and self love. The goal is for everyone to learn how to protect their health, set boundaries, and celebrate connection.
The event featured information tables including SUNY Brockport’s leadership development program, Title IX, Drake Memorial Library, Civic Engagement, Hazen Health Center, and the Center for Gender and Sexual Diversity. Representatives from Trillium Health and Action for a Better Community were also in attendance to speak with students.
During the event, students could take part in fun activities, crafts, prizes and free food.
HPPE Peer Educator Shaila Delgado described the importance of K.I.S.S Fest.
“The inspiration for today’s event came from the need that we have on campus to get our name out there and also provide community support for all of our wonderful students,” Delgado said. “Not all students know all of the resources that we have available, such as Restore, which is a super important resource that we have on campus for students who’ve experienced sexual assault or sexual abuse.”
Delgado believes HPPE can be a great resource for students.
“We are here to support student needs and services and provide all sorts of help for students, so free condoms, free menstrual products and I think the work that we do is really important to support student health,” Delgado said. “All students should come to our office honestly. We can help them out, we can guide them to the proper resource that they need. We have a bunch of connections with our community partners, such as Restore and The Pantry. We’re in the Division of well-being for students, so absolutely we can help out.”
As K.I.S.S Fest is one of HPPE’s most popular events, planning for it is no simple task.
“I know that my supervisor started planning for this event a couple of months ago. This is one of our big events that we have at HPPE and it definitely took a lot of preparation, and a lot of outreach to our community partners and we’re so glad that this turnout was incredible,” Delgado said.
HPPE has more events planned for this semester. Reminders and fun content such as their new podcast can be found on their Instagram. More information regarding future events is available on their webpage. The HPPE office is located on the second floor of Dailey Hall.
