C.A.R.E. (Community Allocated Resources for Everyone) Corner is an on-campus Basic Needs Center for all students to secure their food, clothing, wellness and financial needs.

Eligibility

Students must be enrolled in at least one course in the current semester to schedule appointments with our team. Students who are not currently enrolled may receive referrals to community resources.

Getting Connected

Drop-In Hours

For quick questions, join drop-in hours with our Basic Needs Team, Tuesday - Thursday from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 442 391 5766
Passcode: care

Appointments

What Supports Are You Seeking?

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 (beginning in May), 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

  • Diaper Donation Program
  • Visit our Lactation Pod in the BGS building for a private space to breastfeed or pump
  • Access childcare with our Child Development Center
  • Pick up clothing for your family at our Clothing Closet
  • 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
  • Get snacks and groceries from our on-campus Food Resource Center
  • 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) 582-4600 for more information.

State & Federal Assistance

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.

On-Campus Resources

Food Resource Center (PE 502)

Our Food Resource Center stands as a one-stop shop for all currently enrolled students to access food and necessities. From fresh produce to dairy products and meats, we have you covered! Currently enrolled students may visit us 1x/day for snacks, 1x/week for groceries and 1x/month for hygiene supplies and diapers. Stop by Room PE 502  during our hours to pick up your food- no appointments are necessary.

Summer Hours: Monday - Thursday 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Fall/Spring Hours: Monday - Thursday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Off-Campus Resources

Local Food Resource Centers

View Food Resource Centers  in your Zip Code 

Community Housing Resources

  • 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
  •  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.

Our center has partnered with the OC Diaper Bank to support our parenting students and provide up to 75 diapers or pull-ups per child per month! Sizes range from Newborn diapers (size 0) to Pull-Ups XL (size 4T-5T).

Fill out this request form and drop by our Food Resource Center in Room PE 502 for pick-up. (Click here to access the Saddleback Campus Map). Pick-up hours are limited to our Food Resource Center Hours (Monday - Thursday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Friday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.).

Hygiene Supplies

Hygiene products including toothpaste/toothbrushes, shampoo/conditioner, soap, body lotion, and razors are available to all currently enrolled students.  Fill out this request form and drop by our Food Resource Center in Room PE 502 for pick-up (Click here to access the Saddleback Campus Map). Pick-up hours are limited to our Food Resource Center Hours (Monday - Thursday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Friday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.).

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 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.

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. 

The CARE Corner Closet provides gently used clothing to all students who are enrolled in the current semester. Items available include professional attire, t-shirts, sweatshirts/jackets, pants, shoes, accessories and children’s clothes! Students may visit the CARE Corner Closet once per month. Visit our drop-in Clothing Closet hours Monday-Thursday from 10 - 11 a.m. We are in the Student Services Building, across from Room SSC 223.

Donations

At this time, due to space limitations we are not currently accepting clothing donations.

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/FERPA 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) 582-4600 for more information.

Affordable Connectivity Program

This federal program helps low-income households to pay for internet service and connected devices like a laptop or tablet.

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.

Our Mission

The C.A.R.E Corner is committed to providing reliable resources, support, and advocacy to students facing food, housing and financial insecurity. We aim to connect students with essential resources to overcome financial hardship, support their academic success and create a secure foundation for their future.

Our Vision

Our vision is to provide holistic, compassionate, and equitable support services, ensuring that all students can thrive in their academic pursuits and personal wellbeing. We strive to eliminate basic needs insecurity, expand access to essential resources and foster equal opportunities for success. As a safe and inclusive space for all students, we actively seek to identify and serve those most in need.
 

Contacts