Westchester Community College, State University of New York

If we can’t help you directly, we refer you to someone who can. Some of the resources are available on-campus; others, in the community. We will help you identify and connect with the appropriate resources, based on your individual needs. 

Visit the Office of Student Support Services on campus (STC 013) for more information on how to receive assistance in the following areas:

• Cell Phone/Telephone
• Childcare
• Clothing
• Department of Social Services
• Employment/Unemployment
• Food : Westchester Community College Food Pantry Emergency Food Vouchers, Community Food Pantries/Soup Kitchens, SNAP application assistance
• Health Insurance- STC 013- Tuesday’s 9:30am-11:30am
• Housing Referrals
• Hygiene Bar
• Legal Referrals
• Medical/Prescription
• SSI/SSDI
• Transportation- Emergency Metro Pass, Para Transit, Reduced Student Fair, 511 Ride Share
• Unforeseen emergencies
• Utilities
• Veterans Support Services

Get Support

Student Support Services assist students & their families with benefits & resources. All of our services are FREE.

Contact Information:

Student Support Services
Student Center Room 013 (lower level)
Westchester Community College (Valhalla)
914-606-7854

Joshua Gaccione
Director of Student Support Services
Location: Student Center 015
Joshua.Gaccione@sunywcc.edu

Sophia Pineiro
Assistant Director of Student Support Services
Location: Student Center Room 016
Phone: 914-606-7854
Sophia.Pineiro@sunywcc.edu

Travis Melby
Coordinator of Student Support Services and VA Certifying Official
Location: Student Center 013
Phone: 914-606-6122
Travis.Melby@sunywcc.edu

Debra Santora
Adjunct Counselor
Location: Extension Centers, Tuesdays and Thursdays
Debra.Santora2@sunywcc.edu

Your success speaks for itself! Over 80% of students receiving services from SSS persist, graduate and successfully transfer.

Dear Donor,

I would like to express my gratitude to the Westchester Community College Foundation for considering my application for assistance.

Currently, I am majoring in Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. I am about to embark on my last semester and my goal is to complete my associate degree here at Westchester Community College. For the past few months I was faced with several financial challenges. I was informed about the Access Benefit Center upon talking to Debra Santora that comforted me with support and advice. I was astonished by the resources that were accessible to us college students like myself, who may have come across stumbling blocks on our journey to success. In particular, the food pantry which was extremely helpful.

Receiving this financial grant motivates me to maintain my GPA and Honor Role status while completing my degree. I was fortunate to receive a position as an Orientation Leader and Peer Adviser. I will use this platform to educate incoming freshmen and sophomore about the opportunity offered to assist us. I am looking forward to being able to give back to the school community and make a difference in people’s lives the same way receiving this grant have made a difference in mine.

Thank you for your willingness and confidence, through your generous support it is possible for me to continue the pursuit of achieving my educational goals while having a roof over my bed.

Kind regards
Nasha-Dane Allen

Debora Santora and the benefits access have contributed to my success in my educational process thus far. There are a number of hardships that I have faced which could have been a major distraction from my educational process, such as compromised employment when I was about to lose my job, when my father and wife became seriously ill. I had a breakdown and needed support because I had a lot of weight on my shoulders being the main provider for my family.

As I was going through these storms and trying to maintain good grades in school the benefits access center provided emotional and mental support as well as the food pantry to help my struggling family of a wife and two children. I had a place to go when I needed to cry, when I needed to express my fears and when I needed encouragement. Debora Santora helped to connect me with the Black and Hispanic male initiative program in WCC. Because of the support that I have received I am able to continue my educational process and maintain a good level of success in my grades. The benefits access center is very important to students because of the many levels of support that it provides to students.

Debora Santora is very supportive and has the ability to relate to people of all races and all walks of life because she has a passion for the needs of people. She is a people first person.

Sincerely Richard Adamson II

I was a consistent excelling student at Westchester Community College ever since I started back in the Fall of 2015 but during the 2017 Fall and 2018 Spring semesters, life took a toll on me and I became weary.

The Spring 2018 semester was the worst for me emotionally, mentally, physically and financially but thanks to Debra Santora of the WCC Benefits Access Center; her encouragement, and willingness to assist me in the most important areas at the time(housing transportation, school and life), I sailed through.

One of my biggest fears was that the things I was going through in life would get in the way of my academic success. Fortunately, that fear turned into joy when I found out that through it all, my final GPA reduced from only a 3.81 to a 3.8. I could not have achieved this without the vast support from WCC. And for this I am truly grateful.

Johnnie Angeline Anne Asibuo

You are not alone! The staff at student support services will walk you through your journey in a safe and private manner. Contact student support services online for an appointment and more guidance.

Health Care Advocacy and Mediation

• Advocator
• Community Health Advocate

http://clusterinc.org/

Leoni Parker
(914) 963-6440

Open Door Medical Group

Do not need insurance to see a doctor. Open to everyone regardless of status. Call for fees based on service required.

https://www.opendoormedical.org/

Help Applying for Health Insurance

Yonkers Chamber of Commerce
Antoinette Cerrato
(914) 963-0332

Westchester County Department of Health

Health Insurance Access Program
Marlon Anglin
(914) 336-0925

Walmart

$4 prescription refills
https://www.walmart.com/cp/1078664

Food Insecurity

Visit the WCC Food Pantry M-F from 11AM-1PM

List of Local Food Pantries
https://feedingwestchester.org/

SNAP (Food Stamps)

If you’re over 21, working 20+ hours/week or have work study while attending school, you might be eligible.
Catholic Charities can help answer questions you may have and assist you with the application process.
https://catholiccharitiesny.org/what-we-do/feeding-hungry-sheltering-homeless/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap
Brewster: (845) 279-5276
Yonkers: (914) 476-2700

Legal Support

Legal Services of the Hudson Valley
https://www.lshv.org/about/who-we-are/

FREE Legal Representation:

• Domestic Violence
• Housing
• Disability Advocacy
• LGBTQ Legal Protection
• And More

Main Office (White Plains): (914) 949-1305

Hudson Valley Justice Center
https://hvjc.org/

• Housing/Eviction
• Immigration
• Workers’ Rights

Yonkers: (914) 308-3490

My Sisters’ Place
Domestic Violence Support

• Residential Services
• Legal Support
• Education

http://mspny.org/
1(800)298-SAFE (7233)

Pace Women’s Justice Center
Legal services to victims of Domestic Violence or Elder Abuse
http://www.law.pace.edu/wjc
Legal Helpline: (914) 287-0739

Victims Assistance Services
Works with survivors of rape, sexual assault, and abuse.
http://www.westcopny.org/victims-assistance/
24/7 Rape Crisis Hotline: (914) 345-9111

Custody and Visitation Mediation
Westchester Mediation Center, a program of Cluster Community Services
(914) 963-6500

Crisis Services

United Way
Information and support—whether financial, domestic, health or disaster-related.
Free, confidential referral and information helpline.
Call 2-1-1 or hudson211.org

St. Vincent’s Hospital Westchester
Walk-in evaluations available 24/7 at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Harrison.
24/7 Evaluation and Referral Services: (914) 925-5320 or toll free (855) 239-0019
Crisis Prevention and Response Team (Westchester County): (914) 925-5959

New York Presbyterian
1-888-694-5700

Westchester Medical Center
(914) 493-7000

National Suicide Prevention Hotline
1-800-273-8255

Westchester Community College-Personal Counseling
Personal Counciling

Child Care

Smart Child Care
Helps guide parents to finding the right child- care for their children.
http://www.childcarewestchester.org/services/parents/find-care

Housing Services

Homeless/Temporary Shelter: Westchester County
The Office of Temporary Housing Assistance provides temporary shelter to homeless families, singles and childless couples.

Department of Social Services: district offices open Monday to Friday 8:30-5 pm
Warming Shelters/Drop-In Shelters located throughout Westchester County
Emergency Services: 914-995-2099
http://socialservices.westchestergov.com/homeless-services/

Off-Campus Housing in Westchester County:
Several ways to find housing while attending community college. For example: find a roommate and share an apartment, rent a room in a private house, or rent an apartment/sublet.

Westchester County Website
Rentals and purchase homes/ lottery/affordable housing
http://homes.westchestergov.com/homeseeker-housing/

Westchester Residential Opportunities, INC (WRO)
Information about rentals and vacancies throughout Westchester. Information about Section 8, and subsidized housing.
www.wroinc.org/services/rentals

Homeless/Shelter: New York City/Bronx
Home Base provider: 311

Housing Connect:
www.1nyc.gov

Contact Come Home NYC at 212-284-7240
Connects homeless families into affordable housing

YOU ARE NOT ALONE! THE STAFF AT THE STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES WILL WALK YOU THROUGH YOUR JOURNEY IN A SAFE AND PRIVATE MANNER. RESOURCES TO CONSIDER. CONTACT THE STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES ONLINE FOR AN APPOINTMENT AND MORE GUIDANCE.