14 | theLAKER foundation update ESL renews $100K donation for student emergencies ESL Federal Credit Union has made a second $100,000 donation to the FLCC Student Emergency Fund. The first grant, awarded in September 2022, helped 122 students cover financial shortfalls. Grants covered housing, transportation, tuition, books, utilities, internet and food. Students can receive funding in more than one category, for example, $500 for rent and $75 for internet. Zach Everhart, a culinary arts student from Hamlin, is among those who have turned to the emergency fund. “I was struggling with financial aid, and the emergency fund helped cover a quarter of my tuition. It shows me that people actually want to see me succeed and gives me a lot of motivation,” he said. ESL helps local not-for-profits advance areas of impact the organization has identified, for example, efforts that expand individual opportunity to ensure students can succeed in college and their careers. At FLCC, the Center for Student Well-Being administers the Student Emergency Fund. The Center promotes a holistic approach to student well-being by providing in-person and virtual health and counseling services and assistance with food and transportation. Emergency funds are available for students in good academic standing who find themselves in need of immediate aid for expenses which would otherwise prevent them from remaining enrolled or completing a degree or certificate. Funds are granted on a case-by-case basis and are not a substitute for federal and state financial aid. Students’ applications must briefly describe the circumstance that has led to hardship. Staff in the Center for Student Well-Being review the applications, and the FLCC Foundation makes final funding decisions. Students who receive emergency funding are encouraged to complete an online webinar called “Financial Literacy: Smart Money Skills for College and Beyond.” The webinar takes about 25 minutes and explains how to build a budget, track spending, use credit wisely, avoid and eliminate debt, and plan for the future. Foundation honors ESL commitment In fall 2023, the College recognized ESL Federal Credit Union with the Foundation Benefactor Award for its outstanding support of FLCC students. The Benefactor Award, created by FLCC Professor Emeritus Wayne Williams, is a sculpture of a hand holding an acorn, depicting the nurturing of the seed of knowledge. Since 2018, ESL has reinvested more than $120 million throughout the Greater Rochester community through its philanthropic Community Impact efforts, including the $100,000 provided to FLCC in 2022. Initial data show that students who received ESL grants in 2022-23 were slightly less likely than students in the general population to withdraw from a class. This is a positive sign that the emergency funds are promoting student success. “It shows me that people actually want to see me succeed and gives me a lot of motivation.” — Zach Everhart, a culinary arts student Visit the Foundation on the web: flcc.edu/foundation The FLCC Foundation website offers information about the 501(c)(3) charitable corporation, scholarships, giving opportunities, and the Alumni Association. It also has links to back issues of the Laker magazine and to the College’s Flickr site with thousands of photos of memorable moments for faculty, staff, students, and graduates.
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