At City College, the Spring Wellness Bienvenida blossomed at the Great Meadow on February 27, 2023. With the collaborative efforts of The Well, Raíces, and the Basic Needs Center, students were welcomed to sample delicious food while discovering over 20 supportive programs and resources offered by the college.
“It’s super, super difficult to learn and retain information when you are hungry,” remarked Alondra Lazaro Gonzales, a basic needs advisor. To combat hunger, the Basic Needs Center set up a food share pop-up, providing nutritious options for students at no cost in East Campus room 14. “We just want to make sure that folks know that we’re here and that whenever they need our service, our doors are always open for them,” Gonzales added.
Raíces contributed to the event with delightful churros and Mexican pancakes, while promoting their mission of empowering Latine students through community and cultural celebration. Nathlie Quintero, Raíces program coordinator, noted the anxiety surrounding midterms and future transitions. “Raíces is happy to help you; we offer things that help balance being a student and being a whole person outside of that.”
Partnering with The Well, Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinic provided essential health services at the event, offering free STI testing and assistance with sign-ups for Medi-Cal, Covered California, and CalFresh. This collaboration aims to ensure students have access to vital health and wellness resources to support their academic journey.
The Well is dedicated to fostering a nurturing environment that prioritises the diverse needs of students. They host various workshops focused on health, wellness, and mental well-being, alongside providing group counseling. Inside the wellness centre, students can access healthy snacks, hygiene kits, and tobacco cessation resources.
Becky Bean, a student program advisor, encapsulated the event’s spirit, stating, “So really today is about coming together as a community of shared wellness, mental health and academic support services for our students so they know that we are here for them.” The enthusiasm for supporting students resonated throughout the event, reinforcing the commitment to their overall well-being.
The Spring Wellness Bienvenida at City College featured a collaboration between The Well, Raíces, and the Basic Needs Center. Students enjoyed food and explored over 20 resources, including health services and empowerment programmes. The event provided free nutritious food and various wellness resources, emphasising the importance of community support in academic and personal health.
The Spring Wellness Bienvenida highlighted the collaborative efforts of City College’s wellness programmes, offering vital support to students. By providing nutritious food and access to various health services, the event aimed to address both academic and personal needs, fostering a sense of community. This initiative not only nurtured students’ physical well-being but underlined the importance of mental health and empowerment through programs like Raíces and The Well.
Original Source: www.thechannels.org
