When our Tide Together Student Support Fund was created after the April 2011 tornados, we were able to serve many displaced students and get them back on their feet. Fast forward nine years and our Tide Together fund has been utilized more than ever since March. Due to complications related to COVID-19 over 1,500 students have requested assistance, and we have been able to provide an average of $400 of financial support to nearly 1,200 students and counting. As the fall semester continues, our students still need our support. A few examples of the needs we can collectively address for our students include:
- Rent and utilities for those who struggle with employment, or whose parents or guardians face altered employment scenarios.
- Food and other basic needs items due to financial insecurity and challenges getting items quickly and safely.
- Technology needs (including laptops and internet access).
- Professional attire for virtual interviews for internships and full-time jobs.
Graduate students, international students, incoming freshmen and graduating seniors--their diverse stories have touched us and your gift will make a difference for them. After being notified of the financial support being provided through the Tide Together Student Support Fund, one student shared, “I was having difficulty finding a job before COVID-19 and even greater difficulty once school ended. My family has experienced a few hardships in the past few months so receiving this email today was a great morale boost…So, with that, I thank you.”
Notes like these remind us that we are Still Tide Together. With your generosity, we can continue to lift our students up, ease some of their financial burdens, and help set them up for academic, personal and professional success at the Capstone and beyond.
