New Care Center at Henderson Community College supports students through difficult times

The HCC Care Center was recently established to help address the non-academic needs of students at Henderson Community College. Envisioned as a one-stop location for students to get assistance, the HCC Care Center is equipped with a food pantry, a supply of personal care items, and staff members ready to point students in the right direction to get financial assistance and mental health services. The college hopes to help students attain academic success by reducing non-academic barriers.

Local public radio station, WKYU, recently interviewed Career Services Coordinator Angie Watson about the HCC Care Center. Speaking about the extra challenges faced by students during the pandemic, Watson said, "It was really, really rough. Hopefully through the HCC Care Center, you know, we'll be able to have, as they're coming to pick up some items, maybe having that conversation of, you know, are there other things that are going on that we might be able refer or help you in some way."

In talking with WKYU, Watson also elaborated on some of the specific issues faced by students in the last year, including the closing of childcare centers and a lack of access to reliable internet. Other challenges the HCC Care Center is helping to address are, according to Watson, "Substance disorders, domestic violence, housing issues, mental and physical issues that they may be facing. We've got some great mental health facilities that can assist them and offer crisis counseling."

Watson elaborated on the need for those services when she talked with The Gleaner about the HCC Care Center. She recalled one student in particular who was facing a domestic violence situation at home, "With the help of our local community agencies we were able to refer her to OASIS for domestic violence counseling, Health First Community Health Center for medical care, The Answer Center who offered immediate bedding, clothing and houseware, and the Volunteer Center for new winter coats for her children. She was able to stay in school, earn a phlebotomy certificate and obtain a good job."

The establishment of the HCC Care Center puts those resources under one roof. In talking with The Gleaner, Watson expressed gratitude for community partners that helped bring everything together. "A big thanks to various food pantry coordinators throughout KCTCS campuses and our local Henderson Christian Community Outreach for sharing ideas and best practices. The use of CARES Act funding has assisted in getting the HCC Care Center initially stocked, but we welcome any donation of non-perishable and/or personal hygiene items from an individual, organization or business as this will be needed to keep it going," Watson said. 

Summarizing the goals of the HCC Care Center, Watson explained to The Gleaner, "By opening a student food pantry we hope this will meet some of those (extra) needs – supplemental non-perishable food items, basic personal hygiene items and very important information about local community agencies."