Among the list of resources Fullerton College offers students such as financial aid, Veteran’s Resource center, disability support services and so forth. The Hornets Resource Center supplies basic-needs such as housing assistance, food assistance and healthcare connections.
Open houses have been previously held to inform students of the services they offer including online workshops on how to fill out forms such as the Medi-Cal or Cal-Fresh application .
“My favorite resource so far would have to be the Buzzy Bucks because it was able to help me get the books I need for school without having to take out a lot of my own money,” said first-year student Vanessa Corez. “This is my first time back in college after 13 years, but mainly because I never knew there were these other resources that were available.”
Most students who walk through the door are in their first or second semester of school, so most who got there had yet to discover the support it extended. Before they knew the center, they had been using resources like the tutoring and career center to keep up in school.
The center opened last year in August and while the food bank and financial aid office continue to help students as usual, what makes the resource center unique is that it’s easier to find basic needs like housing and medical assets in one place on campus.
Where can I locate the Hornets Resource Center?
The Hornets Resource Center can be located at the building 1000 room 1018. Their opening hours are Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (virtual services only).
How do I fill out a Medi-Cal or Cal-Fresh Application?
Any student in need of assistance can come in and get help connected to Medi-Cal or CalFresh.
Medi-Cal can provide low-cost health insurance or free coverage to families and individuals that meet the requirements for it in California. The coverage covers immunizations, prescriptions, mental health services, doctors visits, health services and more.
CalFresh is a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) made by California to give families and individuals nutritious foods at affordable prices. For students that qualify, they can get up to $292 a month to help with food needs, which they can get through an Electronic Transfer Card or an EBT card. EBT cards can be used at most farmers’ markets and grocery stores. For more information on where students stand with their CalFresh benefits they can go to USDA SNAP Retailer Locator
“Any student at Fullerton College can come in and get help with their application for Medi-cal or Calfresh. So we sit down with them and walk through the process and a part of applying for Medi-cal and Calfresh is that you have to upload the documents onto their application,” said Catarina Barela-Perez, special needs director of Basic Needs.
Where can I find the Food Pantry?
Conveniently located across from the swimming pool, the Chris Lamm and Toni Dubois Walker Memorial Food Bank is located in building 1900, room 1955. Students can visit the food bank if they need help getting free groceries for the academic year. Besides canned food and fresh produce, the food bank also offers hygiene products and diapers for parents. All students need is a student ID and a tote bag to get their fill of food. For more information about hours they can visit the Fullerton College Food Bank website.
How do I apply for Housing Assistance?
If students are in need of proper housing there are transitional emergency housing programs that they can go to the Hornets Resource Center, or email at hrc@fullcoll.edu. The HRC helps students one-on-one to find housing off campus and access shelter. Referrals can also be made to outside organizations like Mercy House and HomeShare OC so students can get immediate shelter.
What other events does the resource center hold?
Beside Zoom meetings and walk-through applications; for the following events, the center is going to have a luncheon and learn session with CalOptima on April 17.
Barela-Perez said that she wants for students to have a sense of community and belonging so it can encourage them to explore other programs at school. Students getting one-on-one help with getting referred to resources and directed to other offices on campus that can help them is the center’s most distinct quality.