Help Students Make Ends Meet

You can help students overcome unexpected or persistent barriers on their paths to success.

DCC CARES (Campus Assessment, Response, Evaluation and Support) provides holistic financial support through emergency grants to students struggling to fulfill their basic needs. These hardship grants help them meet sudden financial emergencies so that they don’t have to leave college.

So many of us take our basic needs for granted — but imagine you’re a student stricken with a sudden illness, desperate to escape domestic violence, or struggling with the vicious cycle of poverty. The slightest obstacle might be too much to bear, crushing your hopes for a better life. 

DCC CARES helps students stay on track to finish their degrees, begin their careers and realize their dreams. In fact, more than 80% of program participants have returned to school the following semester. You won’t find many more encouraging and tangible results than that. That’s why this program is so worthy of your giving. 

The dollars you donate have an immediate and profound student impact. For many, it’s literally the difference between setback or success. 

Resources Offered

THE PANTRY stocks nutritious food and personal care items for campus members and their families. A friendly, no-judgment zone staffed by volunteers, it’s supported by several campus organizations and compassionate donors like you. It even supports DCC’s Childcare Center, providing breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for students on weekends.

Stable Housing

Student housing is increasingly turbulent. Thus, DCC CARES has several options to help students stabilize their living situation. Once a student is determined to be “housing insecure,” we can help place them into a safe, established environment to help them focus on academic success.

Other Support

Child care grants, SNAP Benefits and Central Hudson’s Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) aid are available to students as well. Full-time students may be eligible for up to $2,000 in total grant funds. Beyond rent, utilities and child care, we help with medical and dental care, car repairs, tuition/academic needs— even items lost due to theft or disasters. Support for part-time students is available too.

The Clothing Closet

The Clothing Closet provides professional attire, casual wear and children's clothing for DCC campus members. In addition to monetary donations, it accepts gently used clothes, footwear, accessories, storage bins and hangers. All items must be laundered/dry cleaned prior to donating.