Connection Center

Food Cupboard | Growing Together Support Program
Reach One Program | Support Services

The Connection Center is dedicated to providing non-academic support to students and their families, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Center has compiled this list of county, state and national resources that offer support.

Food Cupboard

The RCC Food Cupboard offers free non-perishable grocery items for currently enrolled students experiencing need. Visit the Food Cupboard page for hours and more information.

The Growing Together Support Program

The Growing Together Support Program strives to ease struggles that single parents may encounter by providing academic and non-academic support. Our support includes, but is not limited to, connection to resources on and off campus, academic advising, application support for on-campus childcare subsidies, grocery/gas assistance, bus passes, weekly workshops, and Single Parent Support Group.

Growing Together Contact: [email protected]

We’re here for you when life happens.

OUR MISSION: The Connection Center provides empathic, non-academic supports for students and their families, when life happens. In addition to establishing mutually identified goals with students and family members, we maintain an environment that fosters understanding, warmth, acceptance, and inclusion. We encourage and promote self-advocacy, self-empowerment, and the overall well-being of those we help.

  • The Connection Center provides services to students and families in a judgment free space.
  • The two main non-academic struggles faced by RCC students are food and housing insecurity.
  • 1 in 5 adults struggle with a “mental health issue” (anxiety, depression, etc.) at some point in their life.
  • Life Happens to everyone. Some people think that they have to figure their problems out on their own; that asking for help is a sign of “weakness.” This is a fallacy. Self-advocacy is empowering.
  • If we can’t help you directly, we know 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 situation.
  • United Way’s 211 confidential, free Helpline is available in multiple languages 365 days a year. Visit the Connection Center on campus or dial 211 directly for more information on how to receive assistance in the following health and human services areas:

Before withdrawing from your classes, come speak to us.

Reach One Program

The program is coordinated by the Mental Health Association of Rockland and offers assistance with:
  • Managing school/life balance
  • Coping with pressure from family and friends
  • Overcoming career uncertainty
  • Financial challenges, including student loan issues
  • Linkages to alcohol and substance use resources and more

If you are interested, please contact us at 845-267-2172, extension 294 or [email protected].

Health Insurance

As a college student, you have options for health insurance. You might get coverage through your parents, school, employer, the Health Insurance Marketplace, or other options. The best health insurance provides affordable student and young adult health insurance plans covering preventive, primary, and urgent care.

Visit the Affordable Health Insurance site to learn essential aspects of student health insurance you should compare. Students can search for affordable health insurance outside of New York (some students are not NY residents), meet the Affordable Health Insurance team and use the Contact Form on at the bottom of the page to submit questions.

February 12 – April 15, 2021
File your taxes for free.
Get the assistance you need.

MyFreeTaxes helps people file their federal and state taxes easily and accurately from their computer or smartphone. MyFreeTaxes walks you through the filing process and screens for common tax deductions and credits you may be eligible for, like the EITC or the Child Tax Credit. You can also use MyFreeTaxes to claim any missed stimulus payments. Help is available from a real person trained by the IRS via the MyFreeTaxes’ Helpline from 10:00 a.m. -10:00p.m. To get started go to MyFreeTaxes.com.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide
AARP has provided free tax preparation and filing to eligible* Rockland County residents for many years at the libraries. Due to the pandemic, this program will not be offered at the libraries, but will take place remotely. To request free tax preparation and help from an IRS Certified Volunteer Counselor in preparing your own tax returns go to www.aarpfoundation.org/taxaide. You will need an email address along with access to the internet and a telephone.

*AARP Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest, free volunteer-run tax counseling and preparation service offered to all taxpayers with middle and low income, with special attention to those aged 60 and over.

For other free tax programs visit: https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/efile/default.htm

To receive this information in Spanish or Creole, please contact the Connection Center at [email protected].