Providing for basic needs helps students to succeed




HELP IS AVAILABLE­— Above, Moorpark College f reshman Mohammad Thawabi fills in a form to select items Nov. 22 from Raiders Central in the Campus Center at Moorpark College. At right, Moorpark Col l ege sophomore Donatella Falcomer gathers items for students as she works in the wellness center.

HELP IS AVAILABLE­— Above, Moorpark College f reshman Mohammad Thawabi fills in a form to select items Nov. 22 from Raiders Central in the Campus Center at Moorpark College. At right, Moorpark Col l ege sophomore Donatella Falcomer gathers items for students as she works in the wellness center.

Nothing trips up students on the “pathways to career success” quite like a lack of basic needs. If they spend too much time worrying about where their next meal will come from, or where they can sleep safely, they can’t concentrate on their education.

Moorpark College is working to alleviate problems for students who have food, housing and financial insecurities. Much of that help is coming by way of Raider Central Essential Needs, an on-campus center that provides them access to housing referral assistance and social services as well as free food, clothing and other items “essential” to their quality of life

Prior to the pandemic, the community college took part in a two-year study conducted by the National Center for Inquiry and Improvement.

By participating in the study, which came at no cost to the district, the Moorpark College Foundation received a $1,000 donation for student scholarships, college officials said.

The purpose of the study was to help the college gain insight into how it could change its practices so marginalized students can meet basic needs and complete their associate degree.

Photos by RICHARD GILLARD Acorn Newspapers

Photos by RICHARD GILLARD Acorn Newspapers

“We don’t always know when students are homeless or living out of their cars,” said John Loprieno, the school’s public information officer. “We find that out during the course of their classes, and we feel it’s our responsibility to have a place on campus to fill basic needs.”

Although Moorpark has a relatively high completion rate, Loprieno says 36% of Moorpark College students do not complete their degree on time. Often the biggest obstacle holding students back is that their basic needs are not being met, he said.

Ventura County Community College District trustee Dianne McKay told the Acorn in August that food and housing insecurity among students is not unique to Moorpark College.

McKay said she remembers when Assembly Bill 302 was proposed in 2019. The bill, which died in the state Senate, would have allowed homeless students in California to park and sleep in campus parking lots.

“While that initially seemed heartfelt, others like me said, ‘Is this really the best we can do for our students?’” McKay said.

To offer more to students, the college opened Raider Central in fall 2021. In addition to nonperishable food, grab-and-go snack items, hygiene products and gently used clothing (including business attire), the center offers campus service referrals and one-to-one case management appointments.

Khatira Tarvirdian, the basic needs specialist at Raider Central, said about 120 to 150 students use the center’s services daily.

“This is a 500% increase since summer,” Tarvirdian said. “There are more students on-ground this semester, and we foresee even more next semester. If we factor in the increase to the student population, a rise in costs and inflation and numerous layoffs already occurring, the need will unquestionably increase.”

The most in-demand products vary from student to student, but food and hygiene products are usually in high demand at Raider Central, according to Tarvirdian.

Ruben Castro Charities opened a food pantry at the center, where students and their families can pick up food collected from local grocery stores, food banks and local farms.

College officials said they want to focus on students’ cultural and economic needs as well. The college has integrated basic needs and financial literacy assistance into all student equity programs by providing book vouchers and relevant paid work experience. A weeklong professional development program for new college faculty that shows ways to support the “whole student” and their individual needs is being considered.

“At the heart of our work is the belief that we’re equipping people for life,” said Julius Sokenu, Moorpark College president. “Whether we’re providing students pathways to career success or building skill sets and habits they can take from the classroom to their lives as members of a community, Moorpark College can model behaviors that build community success and capacity.”

To learn more, go online to tinyurl.com/raidercentral