06/04/2018
I started my college education in Fall of 2009 at Cosumnes River College (CRC). As a first generation college student when I came to Cosumnes I had no idea how to navigate the college system. I applied for the EOP&S/CARE program and received that support that I very much needed. The best thing about the EOP&S/CARE program was the academic advising, book vouchers, meal vouchers, transfer information/support, and the staff (academic counselors & front staff).
Academic advising allowed me to to have check-ins with counselors to talk about my grades, course selections, and goals. Having this check-in was important because it held me accountable for my success. The book vouchers helped me by easing financial burden, this way I could use my financial aid for other demanding needs such as living expenses. The CARE meal vouchers ensured that I was not hungry while I was attending school which made learning and focusing on my school work possible. The transfer information and support I received was crucial to my success in transferring to California State University, Sacramento (CSUS). The EOP&S/CARE staff were student-centered and always a pleasure to work with.
In addition to EOP&S/CARE I was a CalWORKs recipient. As a CRC student I had the opportunity to transfer my CalWORKs case from the Department of Human Assistance (DHA) Florin office to CRC. Having my Welfare-to-Work worker on campus in the CRC Student Support Center was convenient and a blessing because my worker, Ben Viado, had skills that previous workers lacked. Ben was aware of my needs as a college student and provided me with the highest quality assistance I could have imagined. Ben supported me by making sure that I received appropriate assistance as a college student and CalWORKs student. Ben properly managed my CalWORKs case, helped me obtain a deposit for my first apartment, provided me with book/book supplies vouchers, provided me with mileage reimbursements, assisted me with referrals, and more. As a CalWORKs recipient and college student having a DHA worker on campus was a pearl and is in my opinion best practice.
Lastly, these student support programs offered by Cosumnes were phenomenal and I as reflect back to my time as a recipient of these programs I could not have done it without the support of the program and staff. I appreciate the multidisciplinary student support staff and services that I received from CRC. My hope is that the college continues to fund the CalWORKs and EOP&S/CARE program to ensure college degree attainment among all underserved students. Recently, I graduated with my Master’s of Social Work degree from California State University, Sacramento with a concentration in child welfare. I have accepted a job offer with Sacramento County Department of Child, Family, and Adult Services. Thank you Cosumnes & Ubuntu (a term I learned from my wonderful niece)!
Lisa Thor, MSW
