Basic Needs Community Helps Students Survive and Thrive
Nov 30, 2021
Gerardo De La Torre arrived at DVC as a re-entry student, hoping to fulfill his dream of a college education.
“I wanted to give myself another opportunity to be the first in my family to graduate
from university. My parents immigrated from Mexico so their children could have a
better life. I had always wanted to be a computer engineer, and work for NASA. I always
dreamed of being amongst the stars in the night sky,” said De La Torre.
Despite numerous challenges, De La Torre is continuing to work towards his goal.
“I’ve interacted with many departments and resources as I navigated personal struggles as a student. Food insecurity before receiving CalFresh and the opening of the DVC food pantry. Housing and financial insecurity, which caused me to have to stay overnight at the DVC campus at times, sleeping in my car. A wellness crisis without a health center on campus,” said De La Torre.
Unfortunately, a growing number of students find it difficult to meet their basic needs.
“Basic needs are what you need to survive and thrive. This can include food, housing, clothing, financial help, access to technology and support for wellness and mental health,” said Dr. Emily Stone, the dean of counseling and student success programs for DVC.
When a person is unable to access the urgent support and resources needed, they can begin to feel hopeless.
“It was a very difficult time that had me in perilous situations. It makes you feel alone, powerless. I did sign up for wellness counseling through the DVC Counseling Department. It was a great help, but I still felt like there could be more. We could do more. I wanted to do more,” said De La Torre.
De La Torre decided to take action. In 2020-21, he became DVC’s first wellness ambassador, promoting and advocating for the mental wellness of students on campus, on behalf of the state chancellor’s office.
“It’s truly a dream position, having the opportunity to apply personal trauma, strife, and knowledge to help others in similar situations. Together with my advisor, Christie Harrington-Tsai, we helped launch the DVC Wellness Counseling Department’s social media accounts to have better interactions with students, faculty and staff. In addition, we offer wellness counseling appointments, where students have a resource to talk to someone in a safe space,” said De La Torre.
Basic needs community
DVC students have access to a number of programs and resources that can assist them with their basic needs. One important area of support relates to food insecurity. In 2018, DVC participated in the HOPE Survey, a national survey that assessed student basic needs. Results from the survey showed that 41 percent of DVC students experience food insecurity.
In response to the survey, DVC opened a food pantry at the Pleasant Hill campus. Students are able to access the pantry two times per week.
Geraldine Ramos is pursuing an associate in science degree in public health at DVC,
with plans to transfer and obtain a bachelor of science in radiographic technology.
She is also a student worker for DVC student life and the food pantry.
“Prior to enrolling at DVC, I was an allied health employee that had maxed out the tier for my position. I decided to further my career and education. My personal challenges are being a full-time mother, working a part-time job and attending DVC part-time as well,” said Ramos.
Ramos feels fortunate to be able to provide assistance in the food pantry.
“The main reason I gravitated to this position is because I have suffered from food insecurity myself. The food pantry has been an essential support to our home. There are days I just run out of my house without water or a snack, and the food pantry has provided the calories I need to go about my busy schedule,” said Ramos.
The food pantry is available to all enrolled DVC students.
“There are bags with a myriad of non-perishable items, food boxes donated from the local food bank, multiple snacks and to-go choices, and meals prepared by culinary students at DVC. We also hold free produce markets,” said Ramos.
Many students have shared their personal stories with Ramos.
“Some of the feedback that comes close to home is the gratitude and vulnerability many students share. International students who confided they were afraid of being denied this resource. Families suffering from a loss of a job or other life challenges who are so grateful to have food relief. Displaced students that tell us that our meals are the first meal of their day,” said Ramos.
Ramos feels it is important that students understand which programs and services at DVC might help them meet their basic needs.
“As a student at DVC, I make sure I utilize all benefits available. I have also used our TimelyCare telehealth services and was amazed at the rapid response,” said Ramos.
TimelyCare is a collaboration between the Associated Students of Diablo Valley College (ASDVC) and the college. This free service provides DVC students with access to medical and mental health telehealth care through TimelyMD.
“If a student is not feeling well, TimelyCare has licensed doctors that treat students, and they can offer prescriptions if needed. TimelyCare also has licensed therapists that students can talk to if they are feeling stressed or having other mental health concerns. The great thing about it is that services are available 24/7, even in the middle of the night,” said Debra Alvarenga, the TimelyCare Student Ambassador for DVC.
Alvarenga knows how helpful it can be to have access to quality health care.
“Before I enrolled at DVC, I was a stay-at-home mom for three years taking care of my children. I am majoring in allied health nursing, and plan to transfer to get my bachelor of science in nursing and become a registered nurse. Then I’ll go back to school to get my master’s to become a nurse practitioner,” said Alvarenga.
During her time at DVC, Alvarenga has received support through the basic needs community.
“I’ve gone to the food pantry to get food for myself and my family. It’s a big help for me financially. I’ve used TimelyCare when I or my children have had an urgent concern. We were seen, diagnosed and treated right away,” said Alvarenga.
The Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) Program helps low-income and
educationally-disadvantaged students reach their academic goals.
“The program provides a variety of services including peer mentoring, counseling, workshops, community building, and tutoring,” said Stone.
SparkPoint Contra Costa – DVC is a community-based, non-profit organization that helps students become financially sustainable.
“SparkPoint helps students advance their knowledge about budgeting, credit, and overcoming financial challenges. Financial coaching and workshops are offered to DVC students and our adult school partners,” said Stone.
When students are able to meet their basic needs, they are better able to focus on their education.
“Every student has their own struggles, and sometimes they don’t know where to get help. It’s hard for a student to go to college while dealing with multiple challenges, like not having access to quality food, healthcare, childcare, or not having enough money to pay for tuition. When a college has resources and support to help students with basic needs, students can focus on being successful in college to achieve their goals for themselves and their family,” said Alvarenga.
To find out more about the basic needs community at DVC, visit www.dvc.edu/basic-needs.
Services and resources
The basic needs community at DVC provides information and resources about:
- Food pantries and support programs
- Affordable temporary and permanent housing solutions
- Physical health, wellness and mental health services
- Textbooks and other materials
- Equipment required for online classes
- Resources to support financial emergencies and foster long-term financial wellness
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