David Ghan/The Falcon Junior Joey Beckwith (left), senior Beth Van Dam (center) and sophomore Grant Rehnberg pose with their award near the Student Union Building. Last Friday Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Youth (LGBTQ) awarded the student group Haven as group of the year.

The student group Haven may not have official club status on the SPU campus, but their work toward creating a safe place for Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning (LGBTQ) students has not gone unnoticed.

Haven's work was honored when the group was presented with the MPowerment LGBTQ group of the year award in front of 250 people last Friday night at the sixth annual Youthopolis awards.

"It's cool to have the affirmation and encouragement that in fact this is something that is really necessary and is making an impact," said Grant Rehnberg, a sophomore and leader in Haven.

Haven was nominated by Matisse Fletcher, who works for MPowerment and is a student at Seattle University. MPowerment is a youth-driven organization for HIV and sexually-transmitted infection prevention and alcohol and drug harm reduction for LGBTQ youth between the ages of 16 and 22.

The Youthopolis awards are hosted each year to honor individuals and groups that are working to help LGBTQ youth in the greater area, Fletcher said.

The LGBTQ group of the year award is new to Youthopolis, Fletcher said, thus making Haven the first recipient.

"Haven was chosen based on their story, their conviction, what they stand for and their courage to stand up and fight for what they believe in," she said.

Though Fletcher nominated Haven, members of the LGBTQ community across Seattle voted on who would receive the award.

"The LGBTQ community is very aware of the attitude at SPU towards LGBTQ people," Fletcher said. "Their story has really touched and inspired people."

Beth Vandam, an SPU senior and leader in Haven, said that the group has worked to generate a connection with the LGBTQ community in Seattle through having guest speakers from the community speak at their weekly on-campus meetings.

Vandam described receiving the award as something that felt good, yet ironic.

"It feels good that somebody is moved by what we're doing and recognizing that it is important," Vandam said. "I feel that it's important, otherwise I wouldn't be involved with it."

Fletcher is part of Seattle University's Triangle Club for LGBTQ students. When she heard about Haven during a Triangle Club meeting, she and other members of the club were shocked that such a group existed at SPU.

Fletcher decided to attend a Haven meeting to see what it was like and to show her support for them and was "floored by these people."

"They are amazing," she said.

She now catches the bus from Capitol Hill each week to attend the Haven meetings.

"I am amazed by the perseverance they have after being shot down again and again [in their efforts to become a club]," Fletcher said. "They are handling it so beautifully."

Though Haven's application remains in a differed state, Vandam said she views everything that has happened so far in a mostly positive light.

"We've been asked to refine our statements, and that has been good for us to go through this process," she said. "I think it has progressed."

This Friday, leaders from Haven will be meeting with Jeff Jordan, the dean of student life, and Les Steele, the vice president of academic affairs, to discuss their constitution and Haven's purpose on campus, Vandam said.

"It will be good to meet face to face and address any concerns they have," she said.