This year, the Student Health and Counseling Center supported almost 200 parent-scholars and their families, which included more than 450 children of Fresno State students, with school supplies. The impact of Assembly Bill 2881 extends far beyond the numbers — it represents Fresno State’s commitment to easing the burdens of parent-scholars who are juggling the demands of higher education while raising a family.
With an estimated 1 in 5 college students being student parents, parent-scholars face unique challenges such as balancing coursework with childcare, financial strain and the emotional toll of managing multiple roles. The back-to-school season can be particularly stressful for these families, which is why the Fresno State Student Health and Counseling Center’s initiative to support parent-scholars is crucial.
By offering items like backpacks, pens, pencils, highlighters, crayons, notebooks and binders in an Aug. 12 giveaway, the initiative ensured these families have a few less things to worry about. A portion of the Student Health and Counseling Center’s overall budget is used for parent-scholar support. The health center received additional support from Associated Students Inc., which donated over 500 supplies (pencils and stress balls), and Clovis Rotary, which donated a total of 50 pre-filled backpacks with school supplies.
Many students shared their gratitude in an anonymous survey of parent-scholars who received supplies:
“Thank you so much for doing this giveaway! It is going to help tremendously since we still have to go shopping for clothes and shoes. I don’t have to worry about the supplies anymore! Thank you again, we appreciate this!”
“My husband and I are beyond thankful that Fresno State can help us get our kid’s school supplies, since we are going through a financial hardship. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! It means more than you know.”
“I am a graduate student and it’s been extremely hard on my family and me as I am unable to hold a full-time job since I will be starting my 800-hour internship next semester. Getting school supplies will definitely be a blessing and one less thing to worry about while still meeting my kids’ educational needs.”
While more than 1,350 parent-scholars have been identified at Fresno State, the university estimates that number is much larger.
For more information, or to learn how to support the parent-scholar initiative, visit https://studentaffairs.fresnostate.edu/health/wellness/studentparents.html or email parentscholars@mail.fresnostate.edu.
(Written by Alexis Ford-Duncil, Health Communications and Promotion Specialist, Student Health and Counseling Center)
