Student Advocacy & Resource Center

Our campus food pantries began as a student project on the Meramec campus, called the Brown Bag Café. Now it's a multi-campus staple called the Archers’ Market. A service of the Student Advocacy & Resource Center, the Market provides grab and go meals and snacks for students at no cost. Groceries, personal care, and other items are also available for eligible students. Most importantly, students receive the message that they have a whole community actively supporting them.

Visit your campus SARC office to learn more about the Archers' Market, or complete our online request form select needed items and engage with our team. 

We understand that the college experience can be both empowering and sometimes exhausting. SARC partners with resources like counseling, disability services, child care, TRiO student support services, campus life and activities, academic success and tutoring, STLCC foundation, financial aid, STLCC care team, advising, career development, campus police, and more to provide well-rounded, holistic support and guidance for students. These partnerships help students accomplish their goals and increase student retention, persistence, and completion.

Partnership with the Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division allows those within our campus community access to a Benefit Program Specialist (BPS) at our Florissant Valley, Forest Park, and Meramec campuses one day each week. The BPS staff are able to assist individuals with questions, applications, and interviews for public assistance programs managed through the Family Support Division. Appointments can be made through Navigate or by contacting the SARC office directly.

Referrals to community agencies are provided based on the individual needs of each student. SARC staff will help students identify programs and agencies that may benefit their situation and help them navigate contact with those agencies. For those who would like to begin searching for community programs and agencies on their own, there are three online directories providing comprehensive social services resource lists or searchable databases which include:

• Mercy Neighborhood Ministries
• Start here St. Louis Area Resource Directory
• United Way 2-1-1

Need an outfit for a job interview or do you need some casual clothing for yourself or your children? Our donation-based clothing closet has a variety of items for students and their families. Make an appointment to see what we have to offer.

Schedule an appointment through Navigate to browse the clothing closet at your most convenient campus location.

If you are experiencing domestic or dating violence, emotional abuse, sexual harassment, sexual assault, or stalking, the SARC can help. SARC can provide you with information about a safe place to stay or connect you with campus and local resources. Verbal information and written records will remain confidential, and not be disclosed without written consent. All records maintained by the SARC are stored in a safe, secure location maintained by the SARC coordinators.

When unexpected events cause a financial hardship the SARC may be able to provide a recommendation for emergency funds through the STLCC Foundation, in collaboration with the STLCC Financial Aid office:

The reason for the financial need must be due to an unplanned crisis or event such as injury, illness, job layoff, etc., which has caused financial hardship threatening the student's continued enrollment and success at STLCC. Financial need must be demonstrated, as well as a clear indication of how these emergency funds will be utilized and meet the current financial need. Funds may not be utilized toward expected school-related expenses such as tuition, books, or supplies.

Students engaged with the SARC office may be encouraged to request emergency funds after other community resources are exhausted.

We know it’s hard to balance school, work, and family. As part of the SARC we offer Family Resource Centers. The centers assist students with children identify and navigate campus and community resources related to childcare, special education, housing, utility assistance, and more. Child friendly service areas provide space for students with young children to sit and talk with a SARC staff member. Parenting resources, family friendly events, and individualized services for each family help ensure parenting students receive support, as they earn a degree.

Everyone likes to know there's someone in their corner encouraging them to achieve their goals and celebrating with them when their goals are achieved. The staff within the SARC office will be that person for students receiving services. Through regular emails, phone calls, and/or in-person contacts, the SARC staff will build relationships with students and serve as another source of support throughout their academic career at STLCC.

Through events facilitated, hosted, or co-sponsored by SARC, students will have an opportunity to learn outside the classroom about topics, such as domestic and dating violence, homelessness, hunger, sexual assault, stress, and more. Events such as Halloween parties, holiday bashes, and graduation receptions help build a sense of community and provide a tangible demonstration of STLCC's support and celebration of our students.

It's difficult to focus on your education when you lack basic needs such as safe shelter, food, clothing, utilities, childcare, and other necessities. SARC provides non-clinical social services consisting of case management and referrals to campus resources and community support services related to food and housing insecurity, economic and personal crisis interventions, as well as student advocacy services, outreach, and education.

As part of STLCC Cares, SARC Coordinators receive referrals from the campus community about students who may benefit from outreach by the Care Team. Coordinated efforts with other campus services help address the concerns, so students can stay on track to achieving their goals.