VENTURA — 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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