Schools
Friends Of Chabot College Raises $190K For Students In Need
The Friends of Chabot College has established the COVID-19 Emergency Student Aid Appeal to accept donations to meet emerging student needs.
Press release from Chabot College:
The Friends of Chabot College Raises $185,000 to Support Students in Need During the COVID-19 Pandemic
(Hayward, CA) - To address many inquiries from donors and the community to support Chabot students impacted by the current pandemic, The Friends of Chabot College (FCC) established the COVID-19 Emergency Student Aid Appeal to accept donations to meet emerging student needs.
Students are facing a multitude of challenges: losing their hourly and service industry jobs, having significant work hours cut, transitioning to taking courses remotely and facing technology access issues while taking care of family at home, and struggling to pay for basic needs (i.e. food, utilities, rent). In order to alleviate need and stress as much as possible, funds received are directed to the areas of greatest need for students including technology resources for remote/distance learning, including laptops, internet hot-spots and software applications and basic needs, such as food and living expenses.
To date, the Friends of Chabot College has raised over $190,000 in donations. Since April 1, the organization has awarded $93,000 in direct aid to students and distributed 200 Chromebooks. Remaining funds are being reserved for distribution in July and August for undocumented, international, and other enrolled Chabot students who are ineligible for CARES Act aid in order to support students in preparation for the fall semester. A breakdown of funding received follows:
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Stupski Foundation ($150,000)
Funding to provide emergency cash grants of up to $500 and laptops for students in need. Students submit applications expressing their need for aid. Applications are prioritized based on student equity and success measures, being currently enrolled, graduating in Spring 2020, belong to a Special Program, having undocumented or international student status, and if they are performing essential services.
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United Way Bay Area ($20,000)
Funding provides $500 awards in direct emergency aid to undocumented students and international students beginning in July/August.
Fremont Bank ($5,000)
Funding supports laptop and wi-fi hot spots for students struggling to complete their courses from home due to technological barriers.
Foundation for CA Community Colleges First Response Healthcare Student Support ($4,545)
Funding supports students in the Nursing Program enrolled in Spring 2020 and experiencing financial hardship.
Academic Senate and FCC Emergency Aid Funds (~$10,000)
Funding raised through a combination of individual faculty, classified professionals, administrators, and community donors as part of our COVID-19 campaign, being distributed using the same application and prioritization process as other sources.
"The Friends of Chabot College foundation board saw the need to provide an easy way to collect donations because this is such a big change for our students, and we know all of our students don't have the necessary technology at home," said Yvonne Wu Craig, Executive Director of Institutional Advancement at Chabot College. "A lot of our students use our library to access Wi-Fi and expressed concerns that they didn't know how to continue their courses without Wi-Fi or a laptop. We are working to fill that gap and ensure our students have the resources to succeed and reach their educational goals in this ever changing environment."
Chabot College is fortunate to be part of such a giving community and appreciates the outpouring of support already received. Support is still needed to help our students during this unprecedented time. To support the Friends of Chabot College Emergency Student Aid Appeal, visit: supportchabotcollege.org
About Chabot College
Chabot College in Hayward is a comprehensive community college in the heart of a thriving, diverse community where students of all ages and backgrounds can get a high quality education at an affordable price. The college awards associate degrees and certificates, and specializes in university transfer, workforce training, and lifelong learning opportunities. During the 2018-2019 academic year, Chabot College granted over 1,300 Associate Degrees and 689 Certificates of Achievement, the highest in the college's history. http://www.chabotcollege.edu/
This press release was produced by Chabot College. The views expressed here are the author's own.
