Increased funding for DCC CARES to benefit students in need of essential resources and support
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — OCT. 9, 2024 — Dutchess Community College (DCC) students facing housing and food insecurity will benefit from increased support, thanks to Assemblymember Didi Barrett, who successfully secured $300,000 in the enacted New York State 2024-25 Budget. This funding, which doubles the $150,000 the College received in 2022 and 2023, underscores the growing recognition of the need for comprehensive, wraparound support to address barriers many students face outside the classroom.
The increased funding will allow DCC to strengthen its DCC CARES program, which provides emergency assistance and holistic support for students struggling with housing, food and other urgent needs. Administered through the DCC Foundation, DCC CARES connects students to a range of critical resources—such as housing assistance, food pantry services and financial aid for transportation, medical care and child care—helping them stay on track academically despite personal challenges.
During the 2023-24 academic year alone, DCC CARES served over 314 students, with 146 receiving emergency grants for various critical needs. The program also provided housing assistance payments to seven students and helped 36 others secure housing in DCC’s residence hall. Impressively, 83% of students who received emergency grants persisted through to the next semester, transferred to other institutions, or graduated, underscoring the significant impact of the program on student retention and success.
“We are immensely grateful to Assemblymember Barrett, and the entire New York State Assembly, for her ongoing advocacy and support for community members pursuing their education at DCC,” said the College’s president, Dr. Peter Grant Jordan. “This additional state funding will empower even more housing and food insecure students to navigate barriers and successfully achieve their goal of earning a college degree.”
“Everyone deserves the opportunity to follow their dreams and pursue their education, unburdened by the stress of unstable housing and food insecurity,” said Assemblymember Didi Barrett. “Dutchess Community College has done an amazing job working to remove these barriers to education, and I was honored to once again secure funding in this year’s budget for this crucial program to continue supporting the success of DCC students.”
For more information about DCC CARES visit sunydutchess.edu/dcccares.
# # #
Founded in 1957, Dutchess Community College is a two-year community college that has earned a reputation for providing an outstanding education and offers one of the lowest tuition rates in New York state. The College currently has four locations including its main campus in Poughkeepsie, DCC @ Fishkill, DCC @ HVR Airport, and DCC @ the Family Partnership Center. For more information visit www.sunydutchess.edu.