Student achievement in the classroom is often dependent on their basic needs are met off campus. A recent grant from the Alvin Community College Foundation will provide assistance for students who have basic needs or require transportation assistance.
“Basic needs are real and we know if a student is experiencing challenges for housing, food and transportation that’s obviously going to impact their ability to do their best as a student,” said Lilly Guu, ACC director of Accessibility and Counseling Services.
The Innovative Initiative Grant program is designed to encourage, facilitate, recognize and reward innovative and creative approaches to fulfill the mission of the college. The grants will be used for the 2024-25 academic year.
A $3,000 grant was awarded for the Emergency Go Bag program for students facing an urgent situation and need food, toiletries and other basic needs.
“When they come and meet with a social support specialist or a counselor, we already have everything ready for them,” Guu said.
The Go Bags will include non-perishable food items, toiletries and gift cards to give students immediate assistance while the college assists them with finding possible, long-term resources.
The Foundation also awarded a $2,000 grant for Transit to Success, which helps ensure students in need can come to campus. The grant will provide financial assistance for a rideshare service to campus or the purchase of a bike.
“We have had students who have been through various situations where they didn’t have any transportation and a bicycle could make a difference to getting them to campus,” Guu said.
The assistance would be for students who may have a car break down, are currently unhoused or simply need a ride, she said.
“One of the challenges in our county is that we don’t have a public transit system,” Guu said. “Sometimes students have courses that they have to take in person and they have to be here. Barriers and challenges can come up. If there is a way we can alleviate that, then that’s what the grant is for.”
