Ypsi S.O.S

Ypsi S.O.S.

In December of 1969 two students at Eastern Mich. University decided that an open switchboard was possible and necessary at Eastern. The administration accepted the idea and S.O.S. (Students Offering Support) began to operate. Throughout the summer people struggled to keep the clinic open, and finally succeeded in opening it 24 hours a day. When S.O.S. began, it was small with only a few people involved. It now has fifty actively participating members.

High school and college students, along with other community people, participate in S.O.S. Along with this variation in people has come a variety of ideas. But everyone involved has the same goal – which is to help and serve the needs of our growing community. As Ypsi grows, so does its problems. Hard drugs are a problem, which is no longer limited to the black community. With social pressures increasing, the need for us to care is of vital necessity. S.O.S. provides a helping hand to anyone who will reach out to it.

Other people, such as the Jay Cee's, Kiwanis Clubs and Catholic Social Services see the necessity of the clinic and have contributed a great deal of time and money to keep S.O.S. together.

When S.O.S. first began it was located at Snow Health Center at E.M.U. It has since grown too large for this and so it is now located in the lower half of a house at 501 North Adams in Ypsi. In the past S.O.S. has been concerned primarily with the problems of students. By being involved with programs such as drug education groups, going to various schools and rapping, organizing the Ypsi Food Co-op and legal defense, they are trying to relate to a wider cross-section of the community.

Future projects include the possibility of a transportation co-op and a free medical clinic. For S.O.S. to be an effective community organization it is necessary for it to have the full support of the community. This includes time, energy, furniture, dishes, kitchen ware or whatever.

Again, the address is 501 North Adams, and the phone number is 485-3222.