After graduating high school, Alexandria “Alex” Lichti enrolled at Cal Poly Humboldt to pursue a bachelor’s degree in cellular and molecular biology. But when ongoing medical issues required treatment from her physicians in the Bay Area, she had to return home.
As a former participant in DVC’s TRIO pre-college program, Lichti found comfort in returning to the Pleasant Hill campus to continue making progress toward her degree. Completing her undergraduate coursework without paying much higher university tuition also gave her a clear financial advantage.
Like many students, Lichti turned to college resources to ease the stress of an unexpected transition. She credits Stacy Hart in the DVC Inclusivity and Wellness Center for assisting with her finances, helping her navigate housing, health coverage, and more.
For Lichti, ensuring her basic needs were met made the biggest difference. She cites the “stress-reducing peace of knowing that regardless of life’s impediments, there is food available” as particularly meaningful.
Food, Housing and Basic Needs Support for Students
“I always think about myself when I was in community college,” says Alicia Fausto, Manager of Retention, Basic Needs and Wellness at DVC. “I dropped out so many times because my life ‘lifed’ and I felt I couldn't do school and life at the same time.”
That firsthand experience drives Fausto’s work today. She knows she could have completed her own education much faster if she had been able to access greater support and resources during college.
The scope of the challenge is widespread. In 2025, DVC participated in the Real College California Basic Needs Survey to evaluate the hurdles community college students face. The results show that 67% of community college students have experienced food or housing insecurity, and 20% experienced homelessness within the previous year.
When students struggle to meet basic needs, their education naturally takes a back seat. To counter these challenges and ease academic stress, DVC offers several direct support services.
“Within the DVC community, Alicia and I interface with 2,000 students every semester to provide them with services,” says Kelsey Mayeda, Senior Program Coordinator of Student Services and Basic Needs at DVC San Ramon.
Available Student Support Services
DVC students can access food assistance, housing resources, medical services, dental care, telehealth appointments, and mental health counseling at no cost or reduced cost.
Food and Housing Security
DVC students can access free food directly through the food pantry on the Pleasant Hill campus, and the Basic Needs Nook at DVC San Ramon. They can also complete the DVC Food Program Application to request free food from the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. Food orders are delivered to automated, refrigerated lockers outside the Pleasant Hill bookstore or the San Ramon Learning Commons.
Finding safe, affordable housing remains one of the most common student requests, and connecting students with those resources can be life-changing. DVC partners directly with Contra Costa County to support unhoused students or those living in unsafe environments. However, gaps in regional resources still pose a major challenge for staff trying to make those connections.
“There is a perception that the communities DVC serves might not have these kinds of needs, which has contributed to a significant lack of resources,” Mayeda says. She notes that there are no shelters or food banks within a 15-to-20-mile radius of the San Ramon campus. “This makes our work even more important.”
Housing Assistance for DVC Students
Mishal Malik enrolled at DVC as a communications major after graduating high school. While living with her family, she struggled to maintain her confidence and sense of self-worth, eventually realizing she needed a change.
“I accessed housing resources through DVC when I really needed a new place to call home. I was able to find something I could afford with amazing housemates and a landlord I appreciate immensely,” Malik says.
Now a Senior Peer Success Coach at the college, Malik helps students navigate their own college journeys. In her role, she sees the shifting pressures students face, noting a steady uptick in use of the campus food lockers alongside rising worries about the cost of living and the impact of AI on career opportunities.
When talking with students, Malik encourages them to take advantage of the college’s wellness and mental health services. She says that students are often surprised to find out these resources are completely free.
Comprehensive Campus Care
In-Person Medical and Dental Services
At the Pleasant Hill campus, a partnership with Contra Costa Health brings a mobile medical clinic to campus on the first, third, and fourth Wednesdays of every month. The clinic provides physicals, vision and hearing exams, reproductive healthcare, sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV testing, routine blood work, basic dental services, and more. In addition, students can also access affordable dental care on a sliding scale through the on-campus DVC Dental Clinic.
San Ramon students can access on-site STI/HIV testing and use the Pleasant Hill mobile clinic for expanded care.
TeleHealth Services
DVC partners with TimelyCare to offer free 24/7 telehealth services to current DVC students who are ages 18 and older. TimelyCare is staffed with licensed medical providers who can diagnose common illnesses and conditions.
Mental Health Support
There can be multiple stressors impacting college students. Having access to support and resources that mitigate those stressors can really impact student success.
While finishing her associate degrees, Lichti also works as a College Program Assistant for the TRIO Program, providing students with the support and resources that were so impactful when she was in high school. She has seen COVID’s on-going impact on students first-hand.
“The pandemic left social and communication gaps for many students that led to anxiety, isolation, and depression,” says Lichti. She believes having a relatable peer to talk to provides a sense of reassurance for students new to campus.
Fausto and Mayeda agree, noting that external pressures like inflation and regional job losses make it harder for students to stay focused and engaged. In response to these needs, DVC partners with The Wright Institute to provide up to 12 free, in-person wellness counseling sessions on either campus.
Alternatively, students ages 18 and older interested in virtual mental health counseling can access up to 12 free sessions through TimelyCare.
A Centralized Space for Support
This fall, DVC Pleasant Hill will make these resources easier to find. The college is co-locating its primary student support services into a centralized space on the second floor of the Student Services Center. The shift will bring basic needs, housing support, financial counseling, and mental health counseling into a single, accessible hub.
Fausto and Mayeda see their role as helping the human behind the student, and it’s a role they deeply value.
“We get to help make sure student needs outside the classroom are taken care of, so there is one less stressor on them,” Mayeda says. “So they can stay in school, get their certificate or degree, and get the job they’re targeting.”
Malik hopes students will push past the stigma and reach out. Looking back on her own experience, she remembers the overwhelming sense of relief that came with asking for help. “We are not meant to suffer alone,” she says. “If you need help, get help. These resources exist for a reason.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What Health and Wellness Resources are Available to Dvc Students?
DVC students can access food assistance, housing support, medical services, dental care, telehealth appointments, mental health counseling, and other wellness resources designed to support student success.
Does DVC Offer Free Mental Health Counseling?
DVC students can access mental health support from The Wright Institute. Students ages 18 and older can also access virtual counseling through TimelyCare.
Can DVC Students Access Medical Care On Campus?
Yes. Through a partnership with Contra Costa Health, a mobile medical clinic visits the Pleasant Hill campus several times each month and provides a variety of healthcare assistance.
Does DVC Provide Food Assistance for Students?
Yes. Students can access free food through the food pantry at the Pleasant Hill campus, the Basic Needs Nook at DVC San Ramon, and the DVC Food Program, which provides food through partnerships with local organizations.
Does DVC Help Students Find Housing Resources?
Yes. DVC connects students with housing resources and partners with Contra Costa County to assist students experiencing housing insecurity or unsafe living conditions.
What is TimelyCare?
TimelyCare is a free telehealth service available to current DVC students ages 18 and older. It provides access to medical providers and mental health counseling through virtual appointments.
