March 18, 2021 (Middletown, Conn.) — In early March, the Middlesex Community College Foundation awarded microgrants from their MxCC Cares fund to 11 deserving students. This ongoing emergency fund was established last year to provide assistance to students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to donations from the community, the MxCC Student Senate allocated $10,000 of activities fees to the MxCC Cares fund.
“I have made plenty of personal sacrifices to get me where I am today, and the assistance from the MxCC Cares microgrant will contribute toward paying for high internet speed, so I can maintain my high academic standing,” said Gary Lambert, a social work studies major who received one of the grants. “Given our current situation with remote learning, it will be a great tool.”
Donations to MxCC Cares helps students who are struggling to pay their bills while also trying to finish the semester.
Gary Lambert
According to Riley McConnell, student representative of the MxCC Foundation Board of Directors, fellow student Maui Lopez proposed the $10,000 allocation idea to members of the Student Senate. The Student Senate is an assembly of current students who represent the entire student body and governs the expenditure of collected student activities fees. The Senate members agreed and McConnell presented it to the MxCC Foundation.
“We all thought the idea was an exceptional way to show students that at Middlesex you aren’t just a number. We really do care about the students’ well-being through this difficult time,” said McConnell.
Applicants filled out a form explaining their needs, which included—in addition to better internet access—requests such as helping to purchase a desk, a book or course supplies. Other students listed food insecurity, paying for rent or car repair, and the list goes on. Students in good standing were also evaluated for grant eligibility from other earmarked donations such as MILE Goes the Extra Mile (from the Middlesex Institute for Lifelong Education known as MILE) or another private fund called the Line of Hope.
“For example, if a student could not afford a book because they lost their job, we would give them a MILE extra mile award for the book and assist with a microgrant as well to help with living expenses,” said Kim Hogan, Dean of Administration.
“Many of our students already juggle work, family, and college responsibilities. Some may now be facing unemployment, caring for children suddenly at home due to school closures, attending to family members who may be ill, and struggling to adapt to college classes that are now fully online,” the Foundation expressed in a letter last year from Laura Krueger, Foundation chair, and Steven Minkler, MxCC Campus CEO.
To contribute to the MxCC Cares fund, please visit the MxCC Cares website.
About the MxCC Foundation
The purpose of the MxCC Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) public charity incorporated in Connecticut, is twofold: to support the college and its students by receiving, managing, and distributing funds for scholarships and other educational purposes, and to generate and strengthen communication and collaboration between the college and the Foundation and business, industry, professional, civic, and educational leaders in the communities served by the college—all of Middlesex County, Meriden and Wallingford in New Haven County, and Rocky Hill in Hartford County.
About Middlesex Community College
Since 1966, Middlesex Community College has provided high-quality, affordable, and accessible education to a diverse population, enhancing the strengths of individuals through degree, certificate, and lifelong learning programs that lead to university transfer, employment, and an enriched awareness of our shared responsibilities as global citizens. A part of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system, MxCC offers more than 70 degree or certificate programs at the 35-acre campus in Middletown, MxCC@Platt in Meriden, and online.
