COVID-19 Response: Capital Cares Student Fund Gets $20,000 Boost From Capital Community College Foundation
The Capital Cares Fund at the downtown college will expand on microgrants available through the Assistant Dean of Students office with funds for laptops and costs related to distance learning. Emergency microgrants may address the sudden loss of housing, the threat of eviction, overdue utility bills, loss of computers, books, clothing or other essential belongings. Support may include aid for medical emergencies, the loss of a job or childcare or aid to victims of violence. “The College Foundation is increasing funds to the Capital Cares Fund to enable the college to respond to immediate personal and education needs of students during this public health crisis,” said David McCluskey, CCC Foundation Chair. “Many Capital students already face formidable obstacles. The difficulties of the pandemic can upend their degree and career plans without new support.”
“The College is marshalling all available resources to transition to online learning and supporting our students,” said Capital CEO G. Duncan Harris, who serves as Foundation secretary. “The Foundation’s support is going to make a critical difference. A campus shutdown means students may be cut off from key services such as food assistance or dealing with loss of a job. This kind of direct support during social distancing is needed.”
The Foundation’s Executive and Finance committee approved the Care Fund allocation April 7th as an initial response to the pandemic. Contributions may be made to the Capital Cares Fund at its special giving page.
Capital Community College enrolls 3,300 students in 60 associate degree and certificate programs in six academic departments. The College is home to nationally accredited associate degree programs in nursing (RN) and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) , which are the largest in Connecticut. Most first-time, full time degree-seekers (90%) qualify for scholarship aid such as Pell grants. A majority of all students (64%) qualify for some form of federal or institutional aid.