Equipo de Nutrición y Apoyos Esenciales

Nourishment & Essential Supports Team

Welcome to the NEST

Your one-stop shop for essential needs support services

Our mission is to ensure that every student facing essential needs challenges has equal access to the resources they need to overcome those obstacles. We believe every student already possess the inner strengths they need to succeed, and we back them up with individualized support as unique as they are.

For qualifying students, our services can include:

  • Rental board, referrals, grants, and Santa Cruz County Housing Connector for eligible students

  • Transitional housing partnership with PVSS that includes income-based rent, no cost for utilities, case manager, savings program, and free parking at Watsonville location for female-identifying students.

  • Free food pantry and Fresh Markets on both campuses

  • Grocery gift cards

  • Grants for technology, textbooks, transportation and utilities

  • Personal strength-based case manager

  • Housing workshops

  • Snack and hygiene product baskets at 10 locations in Aptos and 2 in Watsonville

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Aptos NEST 902 and Watsonville NEST A140 (temporary location)
Monday - Friday Aptos, and Tuesday, Wednesdays, & Fridays in Watsonville
8am-5pm Aptos 1-4pm Tuesdays Watsonville 10am-3pm Wednesdays Watsonville 8am-12pm Fridays
Fridays both campuses
8am-12pm
NEST Zoom Drop-in
Fridays 11am-12pm
Meet the NEST team
Monica Mendenhall - Retention & Basic Needs Coordinator
momenden@cabrillo.edu
Sam Bass - Student Support Specialist
sabass@cabrillo.edu
Karina Collins - NEST General Assistant
kacollin@cabrillo.edu
Lily Delariva - Marketing & Social Media Assistant
lidelari@cabrillo.edu
Adriana Gomez - Food Support Specialist
adgomez@cabrillo.edu
Learn More ▼
Spring '24 Free Fresh Markets are here!

Students: If you have class during the 10-11am markets, the NEST can hold your food for up to 24 hours. Please check with NEST staff for sign-up form.

Remaining Spring '24 Aptos Markets - Library Plaza 10am-11am

-April 29

-May 13

Remaining Watsonville Spring '24 Markets - B & C Breezeway 10am-11AM

-May 1

-May 15

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NEST Featured in the News
PVSS Transitional Housing Program for Cabrillo Students

2-year housing program for unhoused female-identifying students

  • Income-based rent (30% of income for single room, 20% for double)

  • Free utilities, including Wi-Fi and parking

  • Supportive PVSS Case Manager with financial literacy coaching

  • Savings program

Off-Campus Resources

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Santa Cruz County Resources | Recursos del Condado de Santa Cruz

Trained specialists will match your needs to local services ⎯ including recovery resources. It’s free, confidential and available 24 hours a day in more than 150 languages. Text your zip code to 898-211 or visit 211santacruzcounty.org