Students, Faith Groups and Utah’s First Lady Join Forces for Women in Crisis 

University of Utah students came together on Friday, April 11, 2025, to prepare around 150 hygiene kits for women in YWCA shelters in Utah.

“In a moment in the world where often we’re pressured on who to interact with, maybe who not to associate with, depending on worldviews or perspectives, that service is an opportunity to let that go,” said Eliza Stewart, an Interfaith America BRAID (Bridgebuilders Relating Across Interfaith Differences) Fellowship student. “[We need] to bring our strengths together for the good of someone else.”

She organized the event to help people on campus find common ground through service.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints helped sponsor the event in conjunction with ProsperityU, Interfaith America, and Show Up, an initiative of Utah First Lady Abby Cox, who participated in the service project.

“Women and children in the state of Utah are the foundation,” Cox said. “If we’re not taking care of our women and children and helping them to be successful, then we don’t have much of a future here in the state. So, we’re proud to be a part of this event tonight.”

Stewart said this event complements the Church of Jesus Christ’s efforts to support women and children.

“I immediately wanted to find local women and children that we could serve and could benefit from the kits that we’ve made today,” Stewart said. “Those who need [the] most sometimes can get overlooked,” said Stewart.

Eunie Gordon, a representative of Welfare and Self-Reliance Services of the Church of Jesus Christ attended the event and said, “We’re grateful to be here working with the students of University of Utah and interfaith organizations. When we work together, we have a greater impact and can help more of God’s children.”