Requesting Supports and Assistance

The Women's Resource Center and Basic Needs office supports and empowers all GCC students and strengthens our overall academic community through advocacy, community involvement and limited basic needs emergency funding. By providing general information to all students enrolled in a GCC degree or certificate program about a range of local, state, federal and community resources, students are better positioned to make informed decisions impacting their academic plans.

Emergency basic needs financial requests will be reviewed on a "first come/first served" basis with priority given to first-time requests. Approval of an emergency basic needs financial request is not guaranteed in full or in part. In order for GCC’s WRC/Basic Needs office to assist as many students as possible, we may reserve the right to limit financial assistance to once per student per life-time GCC enrollment.

Please complete the following intake form to request an appointment.

Request SupportFAQs

Who do I contact for help and support?

Contacts - Rosemarie Freeland, Coordinator – 413-775-1114

*Emailing our staff first is best: freeland@gcc.mass.edu

What kind of assistance is available?
Our services and assistance are free and customized to the student's needs and requests. We will review with you any immediate and pressing needs that could potentially stop or otherwise negatively affect you from completing your academic goals. Emergency basic needs financial requests will be reviewed on a "first come/first served" basis with priority given to first time requests. Approval of an emergency basic needs financial request is not guaranteed in full or in part. In order for GCC’s WRC/Basic Needs office to assist as many students as possible, we may reserve the right to limit financial assistance to once per student per life-time GCC enrollment. Financial awards do not have to be repaid.

What is the process for getting help and support?
Complete the online "Request Support Assistance" intake form to connect with our staff. Once received, a staff person will review your application and contact you to set up an appointment. Appointments can be conducted via phone, email, text, or video conferencing.

What kind of resources can I research on my own and/or in advance to meeting with staff?
The following main multipurpose resources cover many issues you may be facing and are updated regularly:

  1. Look4Help.org - Human service and state agencies assistance for resources.
  2. Community Action Pioneer Valley - Family and Individual emergency services
  3. Franklin Housing Authority - Housing assistance and emergency services
  4. ProjectBread - Food source hHotline, meal sites
  5. Franklin County Food Access - Meal sites, food pantries
  6. Mass.gov Unemployment Insurance - Online application, benefit information
  7. Mass Fair Housing - Housing discrimination (especially if you are sick)
  8. Community Legal Aid – Direct assistance with filing unemployment!
  9. Emergency Childcare – Free for frontline, essential/critical workers, and vulnerable families. In Greenfield, Nam Taekwondo Center – 154 Main St. - 413-345-9888 - ustcnam@gmail.com
  10. Free Meals for School Kids – Full updated schedules for pick up sites and COVID-19 updates.
  11. The Stone Soup Cafe - Pay what you can eat meals and meal pick up or delivery