Basic Needs Center
Essentials for Success
At the College of the Redwoods, we understand that students face various challenges,
and ensuring your basic needs are met is essential for academic success. Our Basic
Needs Center is committed to providing support and resources to help you thrive during
your time here.
Core Values of the Basic Needs Center
- Dignity
- Empowerment
- Community
- Respect for Diversity
Our Mission
The Basic Needs Center's mission is to improve retention, success, and completion rates for College of the Redwoods students who are housing and food insecure by increasing access to basic needs through collaborative and data-driven approaches.
Vision
The Basic Needs Center provides equal access to education for students facing housing, food, and/or transportation insecurity. We achieve this by providing an on-campus food pantry, CalFresh application assistance, housing support for homeless students, transportation assistance, school supplies, hygiene supplies and access, wellness supplies and education, prevention education, and referrals. Students can more readily participate in their studies without the burden of basic needs insecurity. This inclusivity contributes to a more supportive and welcoming environment for students from various backgrounds and circumstances. It addresses not only physical needs but also promotes overall well-being and a sense of belonging.
Our center provides access to food assistance programs including a campus food pantry, meal vouchers, and community partnerships.
We offer assistance with housing resources, emergency housing options, and rental assistance programs
Navigating financial challenges is easier with our assistance, which includes information on financial aid programs, budgeting workshops, and emergency financial support.
Your mental health matters. Our center provides counseling services, workshops on stress management, and referrals to mental health resources.
We aim to improve academic and social outcomes by increasing student retention, success, and completion rates among students attending College of the Redwoods who are housing and food insecure.
See our Basic Needs Center donation list for ways you can support our community.
In the College of the Redwoods Basic Needs Center (food pantry & clothing closet), CR students are welcome to come in to grab a snack or tea and once a week, to shop at the food pantry and the clothing closet. Students can also get CalFresh information and apply for this monthly food assistance program.
Visit the Food Pantry
CR offers housing for up to 160 students in two buildings. Residency in the dorms includes a meal plan at the cafeteria, on site laundry facilities , and free admission to CR events.
Visit the Housing Page
Wellness is an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. Wellness is more than being free from illness, it is a dynamic process of change and growth.
Visit the Wellness pageFacilities on campus
The gender-neutral restroom located just outside of the Mendocino Lounge at the CR Residence Halls is open 24hours/day, 7days a week, including weekends and holidays, to ensure students have restroom access after business hours.
The locker rooms in the PE Building are available to be used by students, who will need to provide their own locks. Students do not need to notify anyone once they have selected a locker or lockers, simply place your lock on the locker. You will need to remove the contents of the locker at the end of the semester so custodians can clean inside.
The women's and men's showers located in the locker rooms between the PE Building and the Field House are available to all students Monday through Friday, from 7:00am to 7:00pm. If you need access on the weekends or holidays, please call Public Safety at (707) 476-4112. Towels are not provided but may be available at the Basic Needs Center.
Laundry detergent and laundry vouchers are available at the Basic Needs Center. Vouchers are limited to 1 per student per month.
Contact BNC
Food Pantry Hours
Eureka Site: Monday-Thursday 8:30am-3:30pm
Del Norte Site : by appointment only. Call 707-465-2302.
Klamath-Trinity: By appointment only. Call 530-625-4821.
After Hours Resources
If you are experiencing a crisis, or if someone you know is, please call 911, or call the 24-hour Crisis Line at 707-445-7715. The toll-free number is 888-849-5728.
You can also call County Outpatient Services at 707-268-2900 and let them know that you need services. Once you are assessed, you may be eligible for a wide variety of services, from counseling to assistance with housing.
If you are on a CR campus, you can also call Public Safety at 707-476-4111.
Redwoods Room & Board Scholarship
The Redwoods Room & Board Scholarship Fund supports CR students who are experiencing homelessness or who are housing insecure. This scholarship provides semester grants so that these students can live in CR's residence halls and have a meal plan in the cafeteria. The goal is to ensure these students have the opportunity to focus on their education rather than on their daily survival. College of the Redwoods was the first college in the nation to provide on campus housing and meal plans for its students experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness.
