Essential Needs Program

The SMC Essential Needs Program’s mission is to improve students’ overall experience at SMC by sharing information and resources in order to anticipate essential needs-related insecurities and intervene before an SMC student experiences crisis.

Essential needs refer to crucial resources required for a student’s holistic success. Core essential needs include safety, financial health, access to food and housing, and overall holistic wellbeing (physical, psychological, and spiritual). Essential needs are fluid and often extend beyond this core and may include technology, clothing, childcare, transportation, legal services, and more.

With the rising cost of a college education and the skyrocketing cost of living in the Bay Area, students are facing increasing levels of precarity while pursuing a college degree.

Your donation will contribute to a student support fund for our SMC students. This will support students’ secure access to food, housing, health care, hygiene products, textbooks, and also being able to pay unexpected medical, housing, and educational expenses. Support us in closing the equity gaps for more of our students at SMC!

See below for key elements of the Essential Needs Committee's Fall 2024 Report on campus services filling essential needs gaps:

For more information and resources check out our Essential Needs Program website