SWC Cares

Connecting You With Solutions

If you are a student in need of basic assistance — food, housing, parent needs, transportation, textbooks, technology or other resources — SWC Cares is here to support you.

SWC Cares is a campus-wide initiative that centralizes the many resources at SWC. A number of programs are available that can help you in school and at home so you can thrive in the classroom.

Looking for help? No problem — fill out the Basic Needs Request form so we can get you the right support or get support through our SWC Cares Virtual Lobby below. Have questions? Contact (619)421-6700 ext: 5404. The SWC Cares/Basic Needs Office is located at Building 16-105 at the Chula Vista Campus. Our Fall virtual and in-person office hours are Monday and Tuesday 8am-6:30pm, Wednesday and Thursday 8am-5pm, and Friday 8am-3pm.

Students can also review our comprehensive SWC Cares Basic Needs Resources site for information on campus and community resources that are available to help you complete your educational journey.

Or, if you’re looking to partner in providing these services to our students, join many of your colleagues and sign up for Jaguars Give.

Enter SWC Cares Virtual Lobby

SWC Cares Resource Site

SWC Cares Resources

If you are facing food or housing insecurity, need personal counseling or legal assistance, or any number of challenging scenarios, Southwestern College has internal resources and there are a number of organizations in the area that are available to help you.

Basic Needs Request Form

We know our students can experience a number of needs and stressors that impact their ability to be successful at SWC. If you need support with food, housing, transportation, textbooks, technology, etc., complete the Basic Needs Request form.

Jag Kitchen Pantry

Here at Southwestern, we believe every student should have enough food to get them through the day. Our Jag Kitchen Pantry provides a safe place for students to access food free of cost. The Jag Kitchen Pantry is located in Building 16, Room 104 on the Chula Vista Campus. Fall hours of operation are Monday and Tuesday 11am-5:30pm. Wednesday and Thursday 8:30am-2pm, and Friday 10:30am-2pm. Students who are unable to come during these hours can email teros@swccd.edu. Students can also register for our monthly Jag Kitchen To Go Drive Thu Distribution with the San Diego Food Bank Mobile Pantry. Jag Kitchen To Go takes place the first Friday of the month 8am-10am in Parking Lot O.

SWC CONNECTS

Southwestern College CONNECTS is our new Technology Loaner Program for students who are in need of a loaner computer or other technology to participate in credit or noncredit courses. Interested students can complete the CONNECTS Request form.* Please note you must be logged into your SWC Google account and logged out of other Google accounts to access the request form.

SWC CARES Emergency Grant

The SWC Cares Emergency Grant Application for Fall 2023 will open on September 5, 2023. The Southwestern College SWC Cares Emergency Grant has been created to provide assistance to students at risk of dropping out of college due to unexpected financial emergencies. This emergency grant is intended to help students stay in school and meet their educational goals. To be eligible for consideration for this grant, you must have a temporary financial need resulting from a sudden, unexpected emergency. You must also be enrolled in the current term. All awards are contingent based on availability of funds. Funds are limited. The lifetime award limit is $500 for the SWC Cares Emergency Grant. All applications go through a committee review process, and students will receive an update on the status of their application to their student email address. Please see the SWC Cares Emergency Grant FAQ Sheet for more information.

Cares Closet

The Cares Closet offers free clothing to enrolled students. Students can select interview, event, daily, and seasonal clothing at no cost. The Cares Closet is located in Building 16, Room 104 onthe Chula Vista Campus. Fall hours of operation are Mondays and Tuesdays 11am-5:30pm, Wednesday and Thursdays 8:30am-2pm, and Fridays 10:30am-2pm.

County of San Diego Human Services Specialist

Many community college students are eligible for public benefits that can help them pay for food, healthcare, childcare, and more. Southwestern College has a designated County of San Diego Human Services Specialist that can answer student questions about Medi-cal, Cal Fresh, and Cal Works. Students can speak with our SWC County Specialist via phone at (619)421-6700 ext 5407 or in-person in the SWC Cares Offices, Building 16-Room 105K. Fall Walk In Hours are Mondays and Thursdays from 1-4pm, Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9am-12pm, and Fridays 10am-3pm.