“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Ghandi’s famous quote is the basis for Quinnipiac University Outreach Through Expression’s first project.

QUOTE started last semester when students decried the absence of a creative outlet on campus.

“The purpose of QUOTE is to give life to powerful words,” said Abdul-Rahman, president of QUOTE. The group uses creative outlets to connect famous quotes with social problems.

“Going to Quinnipiac is very surfaced,” Abdul-Rahman said. “You don’t get to know people behind their academics that much, so it is getting to know people, their stories and their creative sides.”

The organization’s mission is to promote awareness of social problems through performances, which Abdul-Rahman hopes will help students learn more about each other.

“It is totally open and has such an outlet for people to be creative and for a good cause,” said junior Theresa Wagner, member of QUOTE. “So it is combining a lot of things that we stand for at QU, which is creativity and service.”

QUOTE members research their selected social problem and introduce statistics and information about it during QUOTE’s coffeehouses, held twice a semester.

Members of QUOTE volunteer with organizations throughout Connecticut that pertain to a particular social problem and learn their stories. They will compile this information and perform in a production held once a semester.

The acting and dancing in the performances will be inspired by the individual’s stories, but there will also be a presence of the social problems that exist, Abdul-Rahman said.

“I thought it was a great idea,” said Sandra Soucie, advisor of QUOTE and visiting instructor of psychology. “The idea that you have something that focuses on diversity and creativity, but looks at it from the standpoint that creativity does not have to be that typical artistic sense.”

Coffeehouse are scheduled for Feb. 25 and Mar. 25 this semester.

“I think it will bring a lot of good press and do a lot of good for other places in the area that really need our help,” Wagner said. “We talked a lot about doing women’s shelters and different charities, so really the area is going to benefit.”

Interested individuals can attend QUOTE’s meetings at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesdays in Tator Hall 112 and check out their Facebook page.