IVC students in need receive the gift of warmth
IMPERIAL — The cold temperatures during this time of year often forces most economically disadvantaged college students to decide between what personal care items they need the most.
“Sometimes if it’s the decision between a hot meal and a sweatshirt, they’re going to go with the hot meal,” Molina Healthcare’s Associate Vice President of Community Engagement Ruthy Argumedo said.
With this in mind, Molina partnered with Imperial Valley College on Wednesday afternoon to provide 100 IVC students in need with essential winter clothes and hygiene products.
Students gathered inside IVC’s College Center and filled individual du e bags with items such as a fleece blan- ket, a sweatshirt, socks and personal hygiene items such as toothpaste, soap and deodorant.
Along with their filled duffle bags, the 100 students also receive a free hot meal and the chance to take a photo with Santa Claus.
Participating students were pre-identified by Imperial Valley College’s Extended Opportunities Program & Services, which serves the college’s most economically disadvantaged students.
“These are students that are in great need. They’re at risk, and some of them may be homeless,” Argumendo said.
The idea behind the event was to provide underprivileged students with something warm for the winter as well as to provide a reminder that that there are local agencies willing to lend a hand.
“For us, we know that students progress in school when they’re healthy,” Argumendo said. “But I think the biggest impact that we’ll make here today is that we’ll, number one, restore faith in humanity, and, more importantly, remind them that there are partners out in the community that are here to support and provide guidance and assistance.”
The event was a new collaboration for Molina and IVC, and IVC President and Superintendent Dr. Martha Garcia expressed satisfaction with the results.
“Especially since these past few days have been very cold, we know that our students are truly going to benefit from what they will receive today,” Garcia said. “We live in a community that’s under-resourced, and it is only through collaboration that we could serve our community as well as possible. Ultimately, we are helping students who will become future professionals and future leaders, which will in turn give back to the community,”
Alex Bravo, a student at the event who is currently in her first semester of general studies, said she believed the event was a generous act from both Molina and IVC.
“Not a lot of people take the time to think if there’s someone that might actually need this,” Bravo said. “Even if it’s like a simple blanket or if it’s a pair of socks, you never know what someone might be going through or if they even have enough this time of year to buy those simple needs. For them to be giving this little bag full of necessities, it’s amazing.”
Similarly, IVC student Yesenia Guerrero, who is currently in her second year at the college, said she felt the event was very considerate of students in need.
“I think it’s so sweet of them, because you never know,” Guerrero said. “Sometimes I just need a blanket because times are tough, and it’s nice to know that there’s someone there.”