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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 (temporarily)
Monday - Thursday Aptos, and Tuesday and Wednesdays in Watsonville
8am-5pm Aptos and 10am-3pm Watsonville
Fridays both campuses
8am-12pm
NEST Zoom Drop-in
Fridays 11am-12pm
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.

Aptos Market - Library Plaza 10am-11am

-March 4, 11, 18

-April 8, 15, 29

-May 13

Watsonville Market - B & C Breezeway (Multipurpose Room when rain is forecast) 10am-11AM

-March 6, 20

-April 3, 17

-May 1, 15

NEST Calendar of Events
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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

  • 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