LaGuardia CARES

Contact Us

Room: C-Building, C-235
Phone: (718) 482-5135
laguardiacares@lagcc.cuny.edu

In-Person
Monday- Friday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Virtual Office
Monday- Thursday 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Rhonda Mouton, EdD Program Director
Marie Elie, Assistant Coordinator
Truck provided free fruits and vegetables for the LaGuardia Community

LaGuardia CARES (College Access for Retention and Economic Success) connects students with resources, referrals and local community services to overcome financial barriers, stay in school and graduate. LaGuardia CARES provides resources for daily living expenses, including food, healthcare, rent, utilities, childcare, emergency transportation, medical expense, tuition, books, supplies, and more!  Most of our services are free for LaGuardia students and their immediate family members.

LaGuardia CARES is funded by private and public contributions, including the LaGuardia Community College Foundation’s Beyond Tuition initiative that assists students with nonacademic barriers to successfully continue their educational goals.

If you are a full-time or part-time student, enrolled in degree or continuing education programs, have eligible citizen or any non-citizen status including undocumented and international student, you are potentially eligible for CARES services and emergency assistance.

*Food pantry, tax preparation, healthcare, legal, and financial counseling are free to all students and their immediately family members. 

A benefit appointment is an appointment used to determine whether you qualify for public assistance programs like SNAP (food stamps), cash assistance, healthcare, childcare, and more. During a benefit appointment, we will review your situation and help you apply for any benefits you are eligible for. This appointment is important because it helps ensure you receive the support you may be entitled to.

  • One-on-one benefit screening and assistance.
  • Application assistance in applying for and maintaining public benefits
  • Educational Expenses
    • Tuition
    • Books, Testing Fees and Materials, Study Guides
  • Legal Services
    • Civil, Juvenile, Civil, and Immigration
    • Self-petitions to adjust legal status for undocumented victims of domestic abuse via the Violence Against Women’s Act (VAWA)
    • Naturalization applications and appeals.
    • Green card and work permit renewals
    • Family-based immigration petitions
  • Healthcare
    • Affordable Healthcare
    • Emergency Medicaid for undocumented immigrants
  • Tax Preparation
    • Single, Married, and Self-Employed Filers
  • Emergency Financial Assistance
  • Housing and Rental Assistance
  • Emergency Transportation
  • Adult and Children’s Clothing Upon Availability
  • Referral to campus resources

LaGuardia CARES offers several emergency assistance grants based on availability, eligibility, funding, and deadlines. Please review each emergency assistance category carefully and apply only if you meet the eligibility criteria and have an unmet need.

Petrie Foundation
The Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation and other generous donors understand that life is full of unexpected events–some of which can create serious hardships for students and their families. Petrie emergency assistance provides specific emergency funds from $100 to $3000 to students in good academic standing who are experiencing personal emergencies EXCEPT tuition.

Petrie Emergency Assistance provides financial support to students so that life’s emergencies don’t derail their college educations.

Examples of qualifying emergencies include:

  • Illness
  • Loss of property or income
  • Death of a family member
  • Victim of an accident or crime
  • Medical Expense

Apply using the Petrie Emergency Assistance Application form.

LaGuardia Foundation
LaGuardia Foundation Emergency Assistance provides support to students of any citizenship status who have immediate needs, including but not limited to rent, transportation, childcare, tuition, books, fees, uniforms, utilities, phone bills, internet access, and medical expenses. Students are considered potentially eligible for emergency assistance based on their demonstrated need.

Friedman Fund for New New Yorkers can also help students of any non-citizen status with emergency assistance. Students are potentially eligible if they:

  • Have eligible non-citizen status (permanent resident) OR
  • Have neither U.S. citizen nor eligible non-citizen status (undocumented, refugee and asylum seeker)

The process begins with the student applying for emergency assistance and submitting any required documentation. Following the submission, a committee conducts a thorough review of the application and supporting documents. Based on the committee’s evaluation, a decision is reached regarding the students’ eligibility for emergency assistance. The final decision is communicated to the student, typically within a timeframe of 30 days from the initiation of the application process. 

Apply using the LaGuardia Foundation Emergency Assistance form.

ServicesDocuments to Submit
Rent
  • A current housing statement, lease, or notarized letter from the person/landlord you are renting from that includes their name, phone number, address and email, and your weekly/monthly payment, overdue balance, and the total number of weeks/months owed.
Utilities (light, gas, internet, or phone)
  • A copy of the billing statement showing the amount owed and the current period of services with your name, address, and account number, and the overdue balance clearly visible.
Books, Testing Fees, and Testing Materials
  • Course syllabus.
  • Title and price for each book.
  • Title and price of the study guide or test preparation materials.
  • Title and price of the examination.
Tuition
  • Account statement with the balance clearly visible.
Childcare
  • Current bill/ statement from the childcare provider.
  • Notarized letter from the childcare provider that includes the provider’s name, address, phone number and email address, the name of the parent and child, the total weekly/monthly amount of childcare charges, and the amount for overdue weeks/months for the child (ren).
Unemployment Benefits
  • Award letter from the New York State Department of Labor with the current amount of benefits.
  • Letter from the New York State Department of Labor that states the last time you collected unemployment benefits.
Social Security Benefits
  • Current award letter from the Social Security office with the amount of the benefit.
  • Current award letter from the Social Security office that states the last time you collected Social Security benefits.
SNAP or Cash Assistance
  • Benefit letter or breakdown from HRA stating the last date of benefits, or if the case is closed.
Uniform or Supplies
  • Course syllabus, supply list, and cost.
Housing (Homeless, Evicted, or Unstable Housing)
  • Proof of homelessness from the Department of Homeless Services (if you are living in a shelter).
  • Notarized letter/statement with the name, address, and phone number of the person you are staying with stating that you are currently homeless, or a person that can confirm homelessness.
Income / Wages
  • Current paystubs.
  • Current statement/letter from employer stating dates of employment, rate of pay, and hours worked.
  • If self-employed, a current income tax return, or letter/statement from the company.
  • Records indicating self-employment with earnings and expenses.


Submit documentation using the Dropbox link.

The services at CARES are free to students upon approval. No appointment is needed to speak with a representative. However, if your schedule is busy or to secure an appointment, please schedule an appointment via email at laguardiacares@lagcc.cuny.edu or call (718) 482-5135.

Housing Assistance

The housing list is for informational purposes only. The housing listings provided by LaGuardia Community College are for informational purposes only. LaGuardia Community College or LaGuardia CARES program does not act as a mediator or facilitator in any housing agreements between parties. LaGuardia Community College or its programs do not bear no responsibility for any financial agreements or obligations made between students, interested parties, landlords or property owners. It is the responsibility of the landlord, property owner, and interested renting parties to thoroughly evaluate using safety, suitability, and compliance with local regulations.

Food Assistance

The pantry is open daily during normal business hours. For students’ convenience, 2 options are available.

  • Option 1: The online food pantry ordering system enables individuals to select food options, dates, and times of in-person pick-up in advance using the link or QR Code.
  • Option 2: Walk-in options are available for students without an online order during normal business hours.


LaGuardia CARES

EatNLearn Free Lunch to Students

Students can take advantage of EatNLearn, which offers free lunch vouchers for dining hall(s) or free meals, available Monday to Friday during office hours. 

Food Lockers Available for Evening Students

If you are an evening student with in-person classes interested in receiving pantry items, you can now use our food lockers for convenient pickup. Simply use the campus pantry client portal link to place your order. After placing your order use the link below to book your locker.

*Please note that any items not picked up by 9:30 AM the following day will be returned to the pantry.

 Free Virtual Tax Preparation

Free Virtual Tax Preparation is available from February to April for individuals with an income under $80K, by appointment only. Pre-registration and scheduling are required. For more information, a list of necessary documents, or to schedule a session, contact LaGuardia CARES. by email at laguardiacares@lagcc.cuny.edu or call (718) 482-5135. Appointment link will be available in early 2025.

Clothing Boutique

Visit our on-campus Pop-Up Clothing Boutique, open every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. while supplies last in room C-316. We offer a fantastic selection of FREE new and gently used clothing, shoes, accessories, and baby essentials for the whole family.  

Community Resources

Homebase can help if you are at risk of becoming homeless. They have locations across New York City’s five boroughs and offer a wide range of services to help you if you have a housing crisis.

*LaGuardia is not responsible for any housing selection.

Urgent health care needs

  • NYC Health + Hospitals provides care to all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status, insurance status or ability to pay. Call 844-NYC-4NYC (844-692-4692) or 311.
  • In crisis? Text CUNY to 741741 for 24/7 crisis counseling.


What to do if you feel overwhelmed or need help coping?

  • Contact NYC Well 24/7 at 888-NYC-WELL or (888)-692-9355
  • Texting “WELL” to 65173
  • Chat online at nyc.gov/nycwell
  • Hate and discrimination against anyone based on their race, national origin, or other status is not tolerated. The New York City Commission on Human Rights, Mayor’s Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes, and NYPD are monitoring and responding to reported hate and bias incidents.
  • Call 311 to report harassment or discrimination
  • Call 911 if you are the victim of a hate crime or witness what you believe to be a hate crime. NYPD officers will not ask about the immigration status of anyone seeking help and language assistance is available
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