How Berkeley City College Created a Coordinated Ecosystem of Basic Needs and Emergency Aid

Berkeley City College (BCC) is demonstrating how coordinated basic needs support and emergency aid can drive student success. Through its Basic Needs Program, launched in 2023, BCC provides resources such as a food pantry, CalFresh application assistance, and prepared meals to help students meet the real costs of college beyond tuition. Serving a diverse student population, including many students of color and first-generation students, BCC’s approach highlights a critical truth: meeting students’ basic needs is essential to improving retention, advancing equity, and ensuring students can persist and thrive.