Walking into the lively PUB of Shoreline Community College, one might miss out the philanthropist-driven room located on the first floor. The Benefits Hub at Room 9102 is a support system provided for students who are experiencing food insecurities and/or housing insecurities.
Driven by empathy, this a low-barrier program, meaning they would be open to any student who asks for help. Part of the goal of the Benefits Hub is to convince students to reflect about “the people who might need those resources, and if you’re one of those you are welcome to come in,” said Eberth Arias, the program director.
Food insecurity is different for everybody, it may be for as little as 24 hours for some or perhaps years of burden for others. In any of those cases, the Benefits Hub should be the first stop for students with house and/or food insecurity, Arias said. The Benefits Hub can also connect students in need with different resources and organizations.
“You are not alone, there are people here that really want to help,” he said.
Students are encouraged to communicate their hurdles in going after their academic goals. After all, the Benefits Hub is a partnership between United Way of King County and the Community and technical colleges of King County to narrow the gap for program completion.
Savena Garrett, the director of Student Support, explains that the Benefits Hub has existed from 2019, and had been re-designed over this past summer with the help of Major League Baseball, the Seattle Mariners, and the Mariners Care Foundation. “MLB/Mariners re-designed our entire benefits hub, to include a fully stocked hygiene pantry, and fully stocked clothing closet, and food pantry. They also donated all new computer desks, chairs, and school supplies. Before the remodel, our Benefits Hub had a clothing rack, and a few hygiene items available to students.” Garrett said.
As the Benefits Hub is under the umbrella of United Way’s Bridge to Finish, it aims to aid students who experience basic needs insecurities that cause hurdles for their academic journey. Arias would connect SCC students to United Way’s coaches that are trained to provide resources such as financial coaching, emergency funds, food access through the pantry, housing support, and even emergency funds to aid transportation, medical and household emergencies.
One student, who wished to remain anonymous, feels grateful toward the food pantry, saying it especially helps students who are unemployed. “It really helps to fill our stomachs and continue our education,” the person said. Another student feels amazed by the nutritional selection that exists in the pantry: “There are eggs, protein, milk, fruits.”
Arias said he has always wanted to make a difference in other people’s lives, “and what better way to do it with people that are forming their careers… and then they’re going to go make a difference in the world.”
“I always wanted to be the person helping others like how I was helped when I was in that situation,” he said.
The focus of the Benefits Hub is on SCC students, both domestic and international. Unfortunately, that means the hub cannot help community members. Eberth could only refer them to HopeLink, a food bank a few blocks from the college.
Students can do Walk-ins or contact the staff via email or enter “Benefits Hub” in the SCC website’s search engine for additional information. The programs’ intention is to Bridge students to the Finish line, and without a doubt it will come true.
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Contact Information:
Phone: (206) 546-5845
E-mail: [email protected]
Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Fridays 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Website:
Benefits Hub | Shoreline Community College
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