San José City College, Local Nonprofit to Offer Students Guaranteed Income

San José City College (SJCC) will soon offer a select number of students monthly stipends in a guaranteed income program designed to curb youth homelessness.

The program will provide a $1,000 monthly stipend to 50 students for at least 18 months. It is expected to launch before the end of the year.

“Many students I have worked with, over the past decades, have had to stop out because they have experienced this crisis in meeting their basic needs,” SJCC President Dr. Rowena Tomaneng said in a press release. “That is why guaranteed income is such a big first step.”

The program will be offered in partnership with the Santa Clara-based Bill Wilson Center, a nonprofit community organization that offers housing, education, counseling, and advocacy programs.

“California community colleges are committed to meeting the basic needs of our students,” SJCC Director of Student Development and Activities Blake Balajadia said in the release.

“But we can’t do it alone. So, the collaboration with the Bill Wilson Center and other community partners is a shining example of how SJCC is developing strong relationships within our community to benefit our students.”

A recent report from the Community College League of California found that 2 out of every 3 California community college students face at least one basic needs insecurity, including food and housing insecurity. A recent California Community College system survey found that almost half of students at SJCC have experienced housing, food, or transportation insecurity in the past year, according to the school.

Located in Santa Clara County amid Silicon Valley’s tech giants, SJCC is one of the oldest community colleges in California and serves approximately 10,000 students per semester.

The Bill Wilson Center focuses on providing Santa Clara County college student housing services.