The Hawk CARES program has emphasized shifting the navigation of basic needs and resources from the students to the institution, Hawk CARES Director Oscar Mendoza Plascencia said during a faculty workshop on Jan. 16.
In 2016, The Hawk CARES Program began as a small space on campus, called the Hawk SPOT program, initiated by student government advocating for food on campus, Mendoza Plascencia said. In addition to gaining a full-sized space at P-48 in 2022, CRC’s program inspired the other Los Rios Community Colleges to adopt their own basic needs resource centers.
“We talk about mental health and care for mental health, but we never teach each other what that could look like,” Mendoza Plascencia said. “And I feel like that space is exactly what that looks like.”
Students are encouraged to use the Hawk CARES Center as a lounge, even if they aren’t in need of any services. The lounge and program are intended to support students throughout their time at Cosumnes River College.
Hawk CARES Program Assistant Idaly Valencia shared one student’s successful experience obtaining professional attire with the program’s closet service. She said the student entered with little-to-no knowledge of how the program worked, but left dressed for success and inspired to join student government.
“He comes in still and shows his appreciation, brings other students along to show them services and resources,” Valencia said.
The district has made an effort to provide basic needs and resources by way of the Zero Textbook Cost program, which makes up 75% of CRC’s courses, Mendoza Plascencia said. Since 2021, the ZTC program has saved students an estimated $12 million.
Student Support Specialist Gwen Adao said the professional closet is more than just clothes. Students have the opportunity to build resumes and write cover letters with professionals who know what kinds of questions employers would ask during an interview.
Adao said the program is able to round up donations from community members at the end of the spring semester to aid students who are graduating with the Gowns for Grads program.
“Depending on how much we’re able to put together, we go ahead and purchase those gowns,” Adao said. “We have an application process that we do with our students, then we’re able to offer those gowns to the students who are going to be walking the stage at the end.”
According to the Hawk CARES Center data, 1,481 unduplicated students were helped during the 2023-2024 school year and 89% of them accessed the food market.
The center has partnered up with CalFresh to help students complete their application and educate them about ways to combat food insecurity, adding more in-person application dates this semester, Mendoza Plascencia said. Hawk CARES will also receive excess food from the cafeteria’s food vendor Pacific Dining, who will also be accepting EBT.
“So, real briefly. I say it takes a village. It does take a village,” Mendoza Plascencia said.