C.A.R.E. Corner

If you or a student you know is experiencing an urgent situation, please complete a CARE Report. We will respond within 24-48 hours during normal business hours (excluding weekends and holidays).

• Examples of urgent situations: No access to immediate food or shelter.
• NOTE: The Basic Needs Center does not place students into housing directly. The team will provide referrals to off-campus organizations.

Non-urgent cases are required to schedule an appointment.

• Click here to schedule a Basic Needs Appointment, or call (949) 348-6410.
• If this is your first appointment with us, you must complete an Intake Form prior to your appointment.

For quick questions, join Zoom drop-in hours with our Basic Needs Team, Tuesday-Thursday from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

• Join Zoom Meeting
• Meeting ID: 430 552 6955
• Passcode: CARE

Fall and Spring Hours:

• Monday-Thursday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Friday: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Summer Hours:

• Monday-Thursday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Closed on Fridays

From fresh produce to dairy products and meats, we have you covered! Currently enrolled students may visit us 1x/day for snacks and meals and 1x/week for groceries. 

NOTE: Students interested in our daily meal program must schedule an appointment with our team. 

Our center offers clothing for you and your family! Currently enrolled students may visit the C.A.R.E. Corner Closet 1x/month and fill up one basket. Items available include professional attire, t-shirts, sweatshirts/jackets, pants, shoes, accessories and children’s clothes!  

Donations

We are currently accepting donations of gently used & washed clothing. Please drop off donations to our center in Village 3 during our hours of operation.

Hygiene products including toothpaste/toothbrushes, shampoo/conditioner, soap, body lotion, and razors are available to all currently enrolled students 1x/month.

Our center has partnered with the OC Diaper Bank to support our parenting students and provide up to 50 diapers or pull-ups per child per month! Sizes range from Newborn diapers (size 0) to Pull-Ups XL (size 4T-5T).

• Additional resources are available on a case by case basis. Eligibility is determined during our
  1x1 appointments. Please schedule an appointment with us for more information.
  • Additional resources may include: book vouchers, gas and grocery cards, and
    emergency housing assistance

Saddleback College is committed to supporting our parenting students. In this section you will find resources and support for you and your family.

Students with Dependent Children

Students with Dependent Children are defined as any student who has a child under 18 years of age who will receive more than half of their support from that student. (CA AB 2881) 

Special Support for You and Your Children

Did you know that as a student with children you may be eligible for priority registration, additional financial aid, and specialized support programs directly through Saddleback as well as the greater community?

Priority Registration Information

Effective for Fall 2023 registration, students with dependent children will be eligible for priority registration. Qualifying students are those who have a child or children under 18 years of age who will receive more than half of their support from that student.

• What is priority registration?
  • Registration appointment priority grouping allows different student populations to receive an early registration date and time based upon their academic status, orientation and placement status, and student group status. Saddleback College assigns registration appointments based on compliance with California Education Code Title 5 Code of Regulations for Community Colleges and SB 1456 Student Success Act. Learn more here.
     
• To apply for the Student Parent Priority Registration: 
  • Step 1: Login to MySite using your Student ID number and PIN (4 digit number)
  • Step 2: Click on the “My Information” Tab
  • Step 3: Click on “Update Profile”
  • Step 4: Scroll to the bottom of the page to complete the Student Parent section

Resources at Saddleback

• Visit our Lactation Pod in the BGS building for a private space to breastfeed or pump
  • Download the Mamava App or visit the Student Health Center for a key to unlock the pod
• Access childcare with our Child Development Center
• CalWORKs Program for parents receiving cash aid
• Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOPS)
• Resources for single parents through the CARE Program
• Secure your basic needs at our Basic Needs Center
  • Receive diapers for your family every month (75 diapers/pull-ups per month per child). 
  • Pick up clothing for your family (1 bag/month)
  • Visit our food market for snacks 1x/day and groceries 1x/week
• Get help paying for college with Financial Aid
• Student Emergency Fund
  • Saddleback College is working on an application process to support students that demonstrate a financial crisis affecting access to basic needs. Process and eligibility requirements will be released soon. Please continue to check this page for information as it develops.
• Chromebook Loan Program
  • Current students may come to the Library Circulation Desk and check out a Chromebook at any time. No reservation is needed, but a picture ID and student ID number is required. Call (949) 582-4526 for more information.

State & Federal Assistance

• Students with Dependent Children- California Student Aid Commission
• CalFresh
• California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC)
• Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC)
• California Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
• Medi-Cal
• Regional Center of Orange County- Childcare
• CA Child Care Resource and Referral Network

CalFresh

CalFresh is a nutrition assistance program funded by the USDA that can help students buy the food they need to live healthy and active lifestyles. It may help stretch a tight food budget by allowing students to incorporate healthy foods like fruits and vegetables into their diet. Students may receive $281/month on average.

APPLY NOW!

Students who are enrolled in at least 6 units and meet AT LEAST ONE of the following are likely eligible:

• Working and getting paid for at least 20 hours/week
• Approved (awarded or accepted) for federal or state work study 
• Received Cal Grant A or B
• Parents or legal guardians

We help students throughout the application process. Schedule an appointment with our staff for CalFresh support.

Local Food Resource Centers

View Food Resource Centers  in your Zip Code 

Community Housing Resources

Please note that the Basic Needs Center does not place students into housing directly. The team will provide referrals to off-campus organizations.

• StandUp for Kids
  This program offers 18-24 year old students mentorship and support for all basic life skills, including mock interviews, housing applications, transitional housing placement and more.
• The HomeShare OC Program- HIS OC
  This community partner program matches students with homeowners who have a spare room available to rent at a reduced rate.
• Teen Leadership Foundation-Launch Pad
  This program offers a two-year transitional housing program for females ages 18-24 (single and parenting) who are at-risk of homelessness or were involved in the foster care system.
• Project Self Sufficiency
  This program offers support to single parents attending college who have dependent children. Resources offered include funding for Emergency Rental Assistance (rent bill, utility bill, etc.), Childcare Subsidy, and Education Related Expenses.
• CalAim: Housing Transition Navigation
  Individuals who have CalOptima and are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness with significant barriers to housing (have a significant mental/physical health diagnosis) may be eligible for housing navigation case management. Call (714) 834-4011 or email CalAIMSupport@ochca.com for more information.
• Service Navigator - Teens Experiencing Homelessness

Emergency Shelters

To identify local emergency shelters, click here or call 2-1-1. 

Are You Currently Experiencing Homelessness?

Experiencing homelessness means you do not have a stable place to live and are temporarily staying with friends/family, temporarily staying at hotels/motels, living in your vehicle OR are couch surfing.

Schedule an appointment with us to receive on-campus support. You may also be eligible for these resources:

• California State Identification Card
  • Students experiencing homelessness may receive a free CA state ID card.
  • Complete this form and email to dmvaspublicforms@dmv.ca.gov.
•  Birth Certificates
  • Students born in CA and are currently experiencing homelessness can request a free copy of their birth certificates
    • Meet with the Basic Needs Coordinator for application support
• Post Office Box
  • Students experiencing homelessness may be eligible for a no-cost P.O. Box
    • Meet with the Basic Needs Coordinator for application support
  • Students may also receive mail by having it sent to “General Delivery” and the post office will hold the mail for 30 days maximum
    • Example: Student’s Name/ General Delivery / City, State Zip
       

Mental Health

Student Health and Wellness Center

• Visit the Student Health and Wellness Center page or call (949) 582-4606 to schedule an appointment with a therapist, or please click here to access the appointment form.
• If you are on-campus and seeking emergency support please walk into the Student Health Center in Room SSC 177

After Hours Crisis Resources

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis after hours, these resources are available to you:

• Dial 988 for 24-hour Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. For those who are deaf or hard of hearing, dial 711 then 988, or use the online chat here.
• Contact the Crisis Text Line by texting “COURAGE” to 741741.
• The OC Warmline offers non-crisis mental health support for anyone struggling with mental health and substance use issues. Call 877-901-WARM (staff providing the services have been through a similar journey, either as mental health or substance use services consumer, or as a family member or an individual receiving these services.)

Physical Health

Student Health and Wellness Center

• To schedule a tele-health or in-person medical appointment with a nurse practitioner, nurse, or therapist, please click here to access the appointment form or call (949) 582-4606.
• If you are on-campus and experiencing a medical emergency, please call campus police at (949) 582-4444.

After Hours Medical Resources

If you are experiencing a medical emergency after hours dial 9-1-1 immediately.

Lockers

• Day-use and semester lockers are free and available to currently enrolled students. 
• To be assigned a locker, visit The Athletics Division Office in Room PE 420.

Laundry Facilities 

Laundry Love is an organization that partners with laundromats throughout the U.S. to offer low-income families free laundry services.

Local Facilities:

• Sparklean Lake Forest
  23532 El Toro Rd
  Lake Forest, CA 92630

This facility offers up to 9 loads of prepaid laundry services per person the first Wednesday of each month. It is first come first serve, from 5:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. This facility provides detergent and a light snack for visitors.

Student Emergency Grant

At Saddleback, we understand and acknowledge that students face many challenges outside the classroom. This application process is available for currently enrolled students to request financial support for emergency situations. With questions or concerns please contact scemergencygrants@saddleback.edu.

Requests will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis. Applications will be accepted within the following dates:

• Fall 2024 Requests: August 19, 2024 - December 6, 2024
• Spring 2025 Requests: January 13, 2025 - May 9, 2025
• Summer 2025 Requests: May 27, 2025 - July 25, 2025

Complete the Student Emergency Grant Application

Eligibility Requirements

A student under consideration for emergency financial support must meet the following requirements:

• Currently enrolled in credit or degree/certificate courses in the term of the request
• College of record must be Saddleback College
• Must have a completed Financial Aid Application
• Must be in good academic standing with a minimum 2.0 GPA
• Demonstrate a financial crisis (provide past-due documentation)
• Exhausted all resources (financial aid, on-campus and community resources, etc.)

Examples of Financial Crises:

• Temporary inadequate housing
• Loss of fixed income
• Severe illness or hospitalization

Supporting Documentation Requirements:

• Students must explain the emergency situation and attach documentation (dated within the last 30 days) that supports the request.
• Examples may include a copy of a specific bill, a repair quote, rental/lease or eviction notice, unemployment documents, etc. Bills must be past-due.

Grant Restrictions:

• Grant eligibility will be based on unmet financial need up to $1,000
• Grants are one-time awards and will not support on-going expenses

Types of requests that will not be considered:

• Tuition or fees for Saddleback or other colleges
• Fees for parking tickets, moving violations, traffic school, or expenses related to violation of regulations/laws
• Pre-existing credit card debt

Financial Aid

All students are encouraged to apply for federal and/or state financial aid.  Visit the Financial Aid Office to learn about the several types of financial aid resources available to eligible students.  

Financial Wellness

The Financial Wellness Center is a free virtual tool available to students to learn about budgeting, spending, credit and more! Click here to access. 

Free Student OC Bus Pass

All Saddleback students ride the OC Bus for Free! For more information visit the Free Bus Pass Page.

2-1-1 Ride

211RIDE is a free one-click trip planning tool offering information about available transportation options in Orange County.

Utility Support

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP

This federal program provides low-income households with a one-time payment to cover the cost of heating/cooling and utilities.

CARE/FERA Program

• Low-income customers that are enrolled in the CARE program receive a 30-35% discount on their electric bill and a 20% discount on their natural gas bill.
• Families whose household income slightly exceeds the CARE allowances will qualify to receive FERA discounts, which applies an 18% discount on their electricity bill. FERA is available for customers of Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric Company, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

Technology

Chromebook Loan Program (on-campus)

Current students may come to the Library Circulation Desk and check out a Chromebook at any time. No reservation is needed, but a picture ID and student ID number is required. Call (949) 582-4526 for more information.

Local organizations include:

• Laura’s House: (866) 498-1511
• Human Options: (877) 854-3594
• Interval House: (562) 594-4555
• Women’s Transitional Living Center: (877) 531-5522

Find additional local supports using 211 OC

Local Legal Services

Community Legal Aid SoCal

Community Legal Aid SoCal fights injustice and advocates for social, economic, and racial equity by providing compassionate, holistic, and impactful legal services.

Access the Application for Legal Services.

Public Law Center

The Public Law Center is a pro-bono law firm that provides access to justice for low-income residents of Orange County. Click here for more information.

Immigration Legal Services

CHIRLA Coalition for Human Rights

CHIRLA Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights provides immigration legal services to Saddleback College students and staff. Click here for more information.

Career Support

For support as you navigate your future career path, visit the Career Support page.

Working On-Campus

There are many opportunities for students to work on-campus including Federal Work Study, CalWORKs Work Study, and tutoring positions!

For more information visit the Working on Campus page.

• BRIDGES to Foster Student Success Program (BRIDGES)
• California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs)
• Child Development Center
• Counseling Services 
• Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS)
• Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS/CARE)
• Promise Program 
• International Student Program
• Veterans Education and Transition Services (VETS)
• Rising Scholars