More Essential Than Ever.

Emergencies have a way of revealing essential services that often go unseen. First responders are doing what they were trained for—in and out of a pandemic—to run toward the danger. Since March, firefighters, paramedics, and all healthcare professionals have had a spotlight on them. The praise given to them is well-deserved along with the gratitude for their resolute commitment to serving the community. 

In addition to those in uniform, our teachers were thrust into new learning environments. Now, more than ever, an educator’s reach goes beyond the classroom. Teaching through a screen has propelled innovative thinking to keep students engaged and moving forward. Mt. SAC’s Teacher Prep Institute supports those on the path to earning their degrees and teaching credentials. 

These Mt. SAC programs are designed to support community college students and the unique challenges they face. This includes opportunities to offset the cost of equipment needs or licensing fees. We never want the cost of required learning tools to stand in the way of someone’s education. This is why we are asking the Mt. SAC community to support frontline programs. 

Here are a few examples of how your giving could alleviate expenses our students face as they work their way through these critical programs: 

• A gift of $451 could help a paramedic student purchase Emergency Care in the Streets, a required textbook for that program. 

• A gift of $237 is the approximate cost a nursing student pays out of pocket for their uniform, a pair of white leather shoes and the nursing kit they need as they begin their clinical rotations in local partner hospitals. 

• A gift of $82 would help two future teachers pay for the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST), required by the state to complete their teaching credential. 

While the majority of classes on campus and around the country have shifted to digital formats, educating the next wave of frontline workers requires in-person instruction. Masks are on. Social distancing is in place. And the next cohort of heroes are prepping to enter the fight.

These students and programs need your help now, so they can help us all in the future. Please consider donating now to support the on-going training of these essential workers (and the other essential programs on campus).