The Basic Needs Program at CSUCI offers emergency food and toiletries, connects students to critical on and off-campus resources, and provides educational opportunities for students to take personal responsibility for their wellness and the well-being of their communities.
Meet the Team
Jazmin Clark, Foster Youth Initiatives Coordinator
Hometown: Oxnard, CA
What I do for students in my role: My role as the Foster Youth Initiatives Coordinator consist of supporting students who are part of the Dolphin Guardian Program in their overall academic success here at CSUCI by providing academic support with our weekly DGS Study Sessions, connecting students to outside and on-campus resources, hosting various workshops to target student needs throughout the semester, developing a DGS Community (Canvas page) and hosting Sense of Belonging DGS activities such as fieldtrips, and in the near future have a DGS space.
Carolina Martinez, Basic Needs Coordinator
Hometown: East Los Angeles, CA
What I do for students in my role: I manage the food pantry and create programming related to food assistance. The food pantry is a resource for students who may be facing food insecurity. In addition to food, the pantry offers hygiene items and pet food. My student staff assist students with their CalFresh application. CalFresh is a food assistance program funded by the USDA that can help students buy the food they need to live a healthy and active lifestyle. Some of the events that basic needs host are monthly farmers market, grocery plinko, CalFresh Outreach Week, and Hunger and Homelessness Week.
Ricardo Rico, Basic Needs and Dolphin Guardian Scholars Case Manager
Hometown: Santa Paula, CA
What I do for students in my role: I connect students who are experiencing difficulties in regards to Basic Needs to campus and community resources. I also serve as the Advisor for Dolphin Guardian Scholars students, and assist with educational Dolphin Guardian Scholars and Basic Needs events.