This past year has been a year of hardship, change, and distress for many of our students. Financial crisis has struck many members of our community as a result of the changes in the world, leaving students in need of food and secure housing. However, it has also been a year of resilience, strength, and community. The community at Mason has banded together to challenge the monumental financial distresses facing our students, creating the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) Student Emergency Fund to ensure that each student continues to live out their dream of pursuing a health career.
The CHHS Student Emergency Fund provides immediate financial assistance to students who are facing food insecurity, homelessness, medical emergencies, or family emergencies. Our students’ needs continue to evolve since the creation of the fund, and so financial support is also offered to address the obstacles preventing career advancement. To date, the fund has distributed over $70,000 to CHHS students in need, all thanks to the generosity of our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends in the community.
The fund has made a visible difference in numerous students’ lives, with one student recipient detailing, “With one semester left to go, I began to experience more financial hardship than ever before and had to consider postponing my last semester.” In fear of having to abandon their pursuit of a health career, the student applied for the fund, and received the assistance they needed. “These funds will allow me to continue to prioritize my education by helping me afford my tuition balance, textbooks, housing, and groceries. This gift will provide a real, tangible difference in my life, and I am forever grateful.”
Join CHHS on Giving Day, Thursday, April 8, as we help CHHS students advance their education and careers. Gifts made to the CHHS Emergency Fund can assist our students in having reliable access to internet in this time of online collaboration or meal plan vouchers in order to purchase groceries. Gifts can also provide necessary items for our students’ career advancement needs, such as covering the cost of transportation to field placements or updated technology for internships.
With your help, we can ensure that every CHHS student is able to continue their pursuit of a health career despite financial emergencies. Make your gift today and support CHHS students in need.