VENTURA, Calif. - s4story -- Ventura College Foundation is launching an awareness and philanthropic giving campaign to support Ventura College's Basic Needs Center. The foundation provides support to the on-campus centers in Ventura and at East Campus in Santa Paula, which help alleviate food and housing insecurity and assist with overall student wellness.

The need for the center among students is growing. Ventura College data indicate that in 2024-25, two out of three students report experiencing at least one form of basic needs insecurity. Specifically, 47 percent of students are food insecure, 58 percent face housing insecurity, and 24 percent have experienced homelessness.

"These numbers demonstrate a critical and ongoing need for support services on campus," says Maria Crisosto Calderon, Basic Needs Center Specialist. "Philanthropic support is essential to the work we do. Even with financial aid and part-time jobs, many students struggle to keep up with the rising cost of living. When students are unsure where their next meal will come from or how they'll pay rent, their education often takes a back seat. Charitable giving enables the centers to provide immediate, life-stabilizing support, allowing students to focus on their academics and long-term goals."

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Ventura College data shows that 82 percent of students during the 2023 Fall semester who used Basic Needs Center services stayed enrolled the entire semester versus 58.9 percent of non-users.

"Without the Basic Needs Center, survival—finding food, housing, and stability—would take precedence over attending classes or completing assignments for many students. They would need to reduce their course loads, end up earning lower GPAs, or worse, be less likely to stay enrolled," says Calderon.

Calderon says there is concern about future funding. "While we remain hopeful that state funding will continue, budget reductions are occurring across many sectors, and we know we are not immune," she says. "Given the current financial uncertainties at the government level, the need for community support is even greater."

Anne Paul King, Executive Director of the Ventura College Foundation, understands the impact of the two Basic Needs Centers well. "Every student I meet who uses the Basic Needs Center considers it a lifeline," says King. "Philanthropic giving to the centers removes more than just financial barriers; it is proven to help students cross the finish line to graduation."

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For more about the Ventura College Basic Center and to donate, go to www.venturacollege.edu/departments/student-services/basic-needs.