By Kathy Chouteau
The Contra Costa College Foundation has risen up during the COVID-19 pandemic to support students in need.
When Contra Costa College closed March 15 due to the crisis, it transitioned into an online format for students’ remote learning. While closing was a prudent decision, another issue arose: what to do about those students who depend upon the college’s computer labs and library computers.
Enter the foundation, which via a Zoom meeting, quickly approved the funding needed to purchase 120 laptops for students to check out.
“The board of the CCC Foundation wanted to help however we could,” said Board Chair, Eric Zell, in a statement on the foundation’s website. “At our meeting, it came to our attention that many students needed laptops. So, we immediately approved allocating $33,000 for Chromebooks to keep some students on track in their classes, as best as we can at this hard time.”
Per the foundation, the IT Department is currently tackling the conundrum of how to best distribute the Chromebooks to students while under a shelter-in-place order.
“It’s important that in these difficult times, students can continue their classes as smoothly as possible, and know that their community really cares about them,” said foundation Director Sara Marcellino on its website. “Thanks to the generosity of so many of our donors, we were able to access funds immediately after the campus closure and come together during this crisis to provide students with some support to continue their educational journeys.”
Want to help make sure Contra Costa College students have the resources they need during the COVID-19 pandemic? Click here to donate to the Contra Costa College Foundation’s Wrap-Around, an emergency fund that helps students with crucial needs such as rent, online learning and nourishment.
