Addressing basic needs insecurity, one student at a time.
Why We’re Here
In the U.S., over 60% of all college students have extreme difficulty finding or affording food, housing, health/mental health care, school supplies, technology, transportation, childcare, personal care items, and more. This interferes with their ability to live a life with dignity and achieve their academic goals.
Our Response
To help students facing these “basic needs” challenges, the Student Navigator Network provides peer-to-peer services, where trained college students (“Navigators”) assist their fellow students in identifying, applying for, and accessing resources, public benefits, and emergency aid.
Can we really call college free if students are facing hunger and homelessness?
“During the Pandemic,” the most recent report from our partners at the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice, found that 3 in 5 college students are experiencing basic needs insecurity during COVID-19.
To remain healthy and on track to graduate, students need reliable meals and safe, stable housing. This is why Rise builds basic needs advocacy campaigns and offers 1:1 support to students affected by COVID-19.
Student Navigator Network
We created the Student Navigator Network to connect students affected by COVID-19 to resources and public benefits. In 2020, our Student Navigators served over 9,000 students nationwide and helped them receive over $1 million in public benefits, community resources, and campus emergency aid.
To learn more about the SNN, read our report on the Student Navigator Network and its impact on students.
If you are interested in starting a SNN on your campus, please fill out this interest form and we will be in touch.
USC Good Neighbors Grant
In partnership with the USC Good Neighbors Grant, we created the Student Navigator Network at USC to connect local Los Angeles college students to resources and public benefits.
To learn more about and/or receive help from our Student Navigator Network at USC, click here.
