LinkedIn is an essential resource for college students to prepare for and begin careers. It provides an opportunity to connect with people, build a professional network, develop and showcase skills, projects, and experience to potential employers, search for positions, research companies, organizations, and individuals, and more.
It is important to create a professional LinkedIn profile that highlights your skills, experience, and education. This includes a professional profile picture, a catchy headline, and a summary communicating your strengths and goals. You can also add relevant courses, projects, and volunteer experience to your profile which can give employers a better understanding of your skills and interests.
LinkedIn allows you to request connection with professionals in your desired field, people you’ve connected with at NECC, classmates, professionals at internship sites, and NECC alumni. This can provide opportunities for informational interviewing, networking, and developing or expanding your knowledge of a particular field or industry.
Another great feature of LinkedIn is the job search function. You can search for openings based on location, industry, and job title, and set up alerts for postings that match your criteria.
When preparing for interviews, LinkedIn is an excellent resource for researching companies and the people who work there. It allows you to see who you could be interviewing and working with, see their career path, experience, and what is important to them by what they follow and post about.
As an NECC student, you have free access to LinkedIn Learning which provides online courses and tutorials on a wide variety of topics such as Excel, graphic design, communication skills, business development, and much more. There are thousands of high quality on-demand courses and they are free using your NECC login. For details, search LinkedIn Learning from necc.mass.edu or through Blackboard.
LinkedIn is a valuable tool for college students as they prepare for their future by building career networks and accessing opportunities.
By creating a professional profile and utilizing the platform’s features, students can increase their chance of success.
Career Services can help with profile development and review and we invite you to join us for an upcoming LinkedIn event:
Get LinkedIn For Success with Career Services
Free professional profile pics
LinkedIn workshop
1:1 LinkedIn profile reviews
Tuesday, April 25 at the Lawrence campus
Wednesday, April 26 at the Haverhill campus
11 a.m.- 2 p.m.
For more information contact careerservices@necc.mass.edu
I’m an Associate Professor, in my twelfth year working at NECC, and this is my first time writing a letter to the editor of this paper.
What moves me to write is my concern about the recent removal of a crucial staff position at the college.
Last month, our community learned that there will no longer be a Civic Engagement, Service-Learning, and Community Resources Coordinator. Janel D’Agata-Lynch currently holds this position. A licensed social worker, she’s a single point of contact for students experiencing food and housing insecurity.
We have many such students here at NECC, as do community colleges across the country: according to one recent national survey by CCCSE (The Center for Community College Student Engagement) at UT Austin, 29% of respondents were food insecure and 14% housing insecure.
And there are indications that this is a low estimate, with actual numbers closer to 50%.
When a person is without basic needs, it can feel overwhelming to try to navigate various channels of aid.
Janel helps connect students to these resources, coaching them to self-advocate. She also runs food pantries on both campuses and a free monthly farmers’ market, among other initiatives. It makes such a difference to me, as it does to many faculty, to know that I can refer students to an in-house social worker if needed.
Going forward, how will our community address students’ needs and help them thrive? There is an absence of information on this topic.
I urge NECC’s leadership to reconsider their decision to retrench the position of Civic Engagement, Service-Learning, and Community Resources Coordinator, and I await communication regarding how to best support our students. I hope that my colleagues who share these views will join me in voicing them.
Thank you,
Michelle Carter
Associate Professor of Art & Design
This week Federal Judge Mathew Kacsmaryk, the sole federal judge in Amarillo, Texas, ruled to ban the use of the abortion medication Mifepristone. A medication that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for over two decades, and you can thank the Republican Senator from Missouri Josh Hawley and his antiabortion activist wife Erin Hawley for influencing the judge.
Mifepristone was first developed in the 1980s by French pharmaceutical company Roussel Uclaf. It was approved for use in France in 1988 and has since been used in over 60 countries. In the United States, mifepristone was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2000 and has been availableto women seeking abortions since then.
Mifepristone is typically used to terminate pregnancies that are less than 10 weeks along. The medication is taken orally in a doctor’s office or clinic and is usually followed by a second medication, misoprostol, which is taken at home, according to the U.S.Food and Drug Administration. The combination of the two medications causes the uterus to contract and expel the contents, similar to a miscarriage.
The use of mifepristone has been shown to be safe and effective in terminating early pregnancies.
According to Planned Parenthood, the medication is over 95% effective when used as directed.
Additionally, mifepristone has been shown to have a lower risk of complications than surgical abortion,particularly for pregnancies that are less than 8 weeks along.
Critics of mifepristone argue that it is a dangerous and unsafe medication that poses a threat to women’s health. However, these claims have been widely debunked by medical experts and scientific research. The use of mifepristone is supported by major medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the World Health Organization and has been categorized as an essential medication.
The hearing to ban the drug was not made public until late the night before to prevent the public from knowing about the hearing so they could prevent protesting outside the Texas courthouse.
Judge Kacsmyryk who ruled to ban the drug is known to strongly oppose a woman’s right to reproductive freedom, same sex and interracial marriages, LGTBQ+ rights, and access to contraceptive.
To put it plainly and simply, the MAGA Republican Party were not satisfied with its immorally stacked U.S. Supreme Court overturning the landmark Dobbs v. Jackson case, that established the legally protected right for women to have an abortion in the United States up to 24 weeks into a pregnancy, which was the law from 1973 until 2022, they want to make all options for women going through an unwanted pregnancy nonexistent.
MAGA Republicans spew hypocrisy when say they are the party of freedom while at the same time taking away the freedom of women to make decisions for themselves about their own bodily autonomy.
MAGA Republicans will force women to keep their pregnancies but once that baby is born, they will turn their back on mothers and their children. MAGA Republicans are vehement “conservatives” in terms of fiscal dollars and cents when it comes to funding any social safety nets for low- and no-income mothers. These MAGA fundamentalists want to dictate to women how they are going to live, and not provide a cent for them to nurse or raise the forced pregnancy.
Last year, nine of MAGA’s darlings in the House of Representatives voted against a bill that aims to facilitate the purchase of baby formula for those on low-income federal support programs like Woman Infant and Children (WIC).
The nine pro-life lawmakers are the best of the best MAGA has to offer. Andy Biggs (Arizona), Lauren Boebert (Colorado), Matt Gaetz (Florida), Louie Gohmert (Texas), Paul Gosar (Arizona), Marjorie Taylor Greene (Georgia), Clay Higgins (Louisiana), Thomas Massie (Kentucky), and Chip Roy (Texas) all voted no on a bill that would provide formula to babies in need.
MAGA Republican Senator Roger Marshall (Kansas) is considering blowing up a bipartisan deal that would extend school meal funding because of the Biden Administration’s policy banning discrimination against LGBTQ+ students who participate in lunch programs that receive the money.
The Republican Party, particularly the MAGA faction, has long been known for their stance on banning abortions for a long time. This hardline stance has been a controversial topic for years, with many people arguing that the right to choose is a fundamental right that should be protected.
However, despite the partys strong opinions on abortion, they have shown a lack of interest in addressing the social and economic factors that can lead to unwanted pregnancies.
Additionally, they have actively sought to cut social safety programs and affordable healthcare, while doing little to address the issue of gun violence in schools. In fact, the party platform has included a commitment to a”human life” amendment to the Constitution. “Human life” is not a concern when it comes to AR-15’s murdering children in schools.
The push to ban abortions has been driven by the belief that life begins at conception and that it is the governments responsibility to protect that life.
Many Republicans argue that abortion is a form of murder and that the government has a moral obligation to protect the unborn. They also believe that banning abortions would lead to a more moral and just society, as it would discourage what they see as immoral behavior.
Despite these beliefs, the Republican Party has shown little interest in addressing the social and economic factors that can lead to unwanted pregnancies. For example, access to affordable birth control can help reduce the number of unintended pregnancies, but many Republicans have been hostile to efforts to make contraception more widely available. Similarly, the party has been resistant to expanding social safety net programs like SNAP, which provides food assistance to low-income families.
Without access to these programs, many women may struggle to provide for themselves and their families, making the decision to have an abortion all the more difficult.
Additionally, the Republican Party has been criticized for their lack of interest in providing healthcare for all Americans, which can also impact the decision to have an abortion. Without access to affordable health care, many women may struggle to receive the care they need during pregnancy and childbirth, making the decision to terminate a pregnancy more difficult. Furthermore, the party efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which has expanded access to healthcare for millions of Americans, would have a significant impact on womens health.
Critics of the Republican Party’s stance on abortion argue that banning abortions would violate a woman’s right to choose but also could lead to dangerous and potentially deadly outcomes. Many women who seek abortions do so for reasons such as health complications, financial hardship, or personal circumstances, and may resort to dangerous and unsafe methods if legal abortions are not available. Banning abortions would not eliminate the demand for them, but rather drive the practice underground, making it even more dangerous.
If you do have an unwanted pregnancy and are able to make it and raise your child to the age of entering grade school, MAGA Republicans are once again the most fundamentalist extreme political movement the United States has ever seen, with their criminally negligent dereliction of their elected duties to serve and protect their constituents, especially the most innocent among them, children that are gunned down at their school desk.
The Covenant School shooting in Nashville was just another day in America for the MAGA Republicans who on cue gave their endless “thoughts and prayers” that do nothing to protect children from the up to 45 bullets per minute dispense rate the AR-15 fires at.
MAGA Republicans can scream that they are pro-life all they want but anyone paying attention knows that they are only pro-life while a baby is in a mother’s uterus, but they honestly could care less what happens to that child once it is delivered. The hypocrisy in the MAGA party is undeniable. They really do not care at all if your baby has health care, has food to eat, or is safe in school.
The Brics nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) have been discussing the idea of deplatforming the U.S dollar as the world’s reserve currency for several years now. This concept has gained a lot of attention in recent times, with the increasing tensions between the United States and China, and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the global economy.
Chinese President Xi Jinping was warmly hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin during late March in Moscow for the second of three Belt and Road Summits. These three summit meetings of the Chinese and Russian leaders is laying the foundation for the Brics nations currency block. At a joint press conference Xi and Putin both stated, “the Brics nations will bring a new world order to the global financial market.” Vladimir Putin will travel to Beijing sometime during the Summer of 2023 for the third and final Road and Belt Summit.
The US dollar has been the dominant global reserve currency for over 70 years since the Bretton Woods agreement in 1944. The currency is used for international trade, investments, and as a reserve currency by central banks around the world. The US dollar’s dominance in the international financial system has allowed the United States to have an outsized influence on the global economy and international politics.
However, the Brics nations have been challenging the U.S. dollar’s dominance for years. They argue that the U.S. dollar’s status as the world’s reserve currency has given the United States too much power over the global financial system, and that it is time for a more balanced and diversified system.
There are several reasons why the Brics nations are considering deplatforming the US dollar.
Firstly, they argue that the U.S. dollar’s dominance has allowed the United States to pursue an aggressive foreign policy that has destabilized many parts of the world. They also point to the U.S. Federal Reserve’s monetary policy, which has led to a long period of low interest rates and easy money, which has created asset bubbles and financial instability.
The Brics nations are also concerned about the U.S. dollar’s vulnerability to geopolitical risk.
The United States has a history of using economic sanctions as a tool of foreign policy, which can have a devastating impact on countries that rely on the U.S. dollar for international trade. For example, the U.S. sanctions on Iran have severely impacted the country’s economy, despite efforts to circumvent the sanctions.
Another factor driving the Brics nations’ push to deplatform the U.S. dollar is the increasing economic and political power of China. China has been aggressively promoting its currency, the yuan, as an alternative to the US dollar. The country has signed currency swap agreements with over 30 countries, allowing them to bypass the US dollar in international trade. China is also investing heavily in its Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to increase trade and economic integration between China and other countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe.
The Covid-19 pandemic has further highlighted the risks of relying on a single currency for international trade and finance.
The pandemic has caused significant disruptions to global supply chains and has led to a sharp decline in international trade.
Countries that rely heavily on the U.S. dollar have been particularly vulnerable to these disruptions, as they have struggled to access U.S. dollars to pay for imports and service their debt.
Given these factors, it is not surprising that the Brics nations are looking for alternatives to the US dollar. However, deplatforming the US dollar is not an easy task.
The U.S. dollar’s dominance is deeply entrenched in the global financial system, and any attempt to replace it would require significant coordination and cooperation between countries.
The Brics nations have taken several steps towards deplatforming the U.S. dollar.
For example, they have established the New Development Bank, which provides financing for infrastructure projects in developing countries.
The bank is funded in the currencies of the member countries, rather than the US dollar. The Brics nations have also been promoting the use of their own currencies in international trade, rather than the U.S. dollar.
However, these efforts have been largely symbolic so far. The U.S. dollar remains the dominant. currency in international trade and finance, and it will likely remain so for the foreseeable future. The Brics nations will need to take more concrete steps to deplatform the U.S. dollar if they want to challenge its dominance.
One possible step that the Brics nations could take is to diversify their foreign exchange reserves away from the U.S. dollar.
Many central banks hold a significant amount of US dollar reserves, but diversifying these reserves into other currencies could help reduce their dependence on the U.S. dollar.
This would require the development of deeper and more liquid markets for other currencies, particularly the yuan, which remains a relatively small player in the international financial system.
Another possible step is for the Brics nations to create their own international payment system, similar to the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT), which is currently dominated by the U.S. Such a system would allow the Brics nations to bypass the US-dominated financial system and conduct international transactions in their own currencies. This would require significant investment in the development of the necessary infrastructure, but it could help reduce the Brics nations’ dependence on the U.S. dollar.
However, deplatforming the U.S. dollar is not without risks. The US dollar’s dominance has helped to provide stability to the global financial system, and any significant disruption to this system could have far-reaching consequences. It is also unclear whether the Brics nations would be able to coordinate their efforts effectively, given their differing political and economic interests.
Furthermore, any attempt to deplatform the US dollar could lead to a backlash from the United States.
The U.S. government could use economic sanctions or other measures to try to undermine the Brics nations’ efforts to reduce their dependence on the US dollar.
This could lead to further tensions and instability in the global financial system.
The deplatforming of the U.S. dollar by the Brics nations is a complex and challenging issue. While the Brics nations have taken some symbolic steps towards reducing their dependence on the U.S. dollar, any significant attempt to deplatform the currency would require significant coordination and cooperation between countries. It is also unclear whether the benefits of deplatforming the U.S. dollar would outweigh the risks and potential costs.
However, given the changing global economic and political landscape, it is likely that the debate over the future of the international financial system will continue for some time.
Students learn from alum’s experience. Travis Jacobs started his prolific career as a lawyer obtaining an Associates in Arts in paralegal studies in 1998. Photo by Sheila Muller
NECC alum Travis Jacobs, who graduated in 1998, founder and managing partner at The Jacobs Law LLC, came back to his alma mater to share his knowledge and experience as a lawyer specialist in business law and litigations with entrepreneurial students, on March 23.
As part of the BizTalks series, an event called “The Legal Side of Business” was held at the Business and Professional Studies Center, in Spurk – C building, Haverhill campus.
After years of studies and exercising in the legal field focusing on representing small businesses and entrepreneurs, Jacobs has been selected by Boston Magazine to its inaugural list of 2021 Top Boston Lawyers for Civil litigation.
After navigating the traffic from his Boston-based The Jacobss Law firm, the awarded lawyer made a master presentation called “Tapping Your Entrepreneurial Spirit” which was about what small businesses should know when establishing their company and how to avoid litigation.
Professor Judith Ciampi and her former student, Travis Jacobs, who graduated from NECC in 1998. Professor Ciampi was a faculty member and later on a coordinator of the paralegal studies program. Photo by Sheila Muller
Here are the basic steps for a business formation, according to Jacobs.
Entity name
Start by checking if the business name in mind is available. Make sure it is not a trademark, either by state or national, by visiting USPTO.gov.
Check online. Surf the web looking for a website, url, or through social media outlets if the chosen business name has not been already taken.
Did you know that you can reserve a name for your business before starting a business? When an idea comes up but not sure when to start, it is possible to reserve it for 60 days, paying a $30 fee to the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Key factors before choosing an entity type
Take a moment to think about what kind of business will be. For instance, it will provide professional services, or it will be a manufacturing company.
Ownership. Only one person or more people will be owners of the business. When opening a business with a relative or a friend, make sure to be clear about the responsibilities for each member of the company.
Think about the financing. The business will be open with savings or a loan. In the future, do you expect to ask for venture capitalists or investors to join your business?
Learn about tax and liability implications for each kind of business type.
Entity types
Here it is where it may be tricky, but Jacobs explained each type of business in a simple manner about
Corporations (INCs) need a series of documents such as by laws, shareholder agreements and articles of organizations. There are several types of corporate structures: C-Corp, S-Corp, Benefit Cor (BCs), Professional Corp (PCs) and Non-Profit Corporation (NPs)
Then Jacobs took us to the most popular legal frame, the Limited Liability Company (LLCs or PLLCs.) There are reasons for its popularity. It offers pass-through taxation and as its name says, offers limited liability to its owners that means personal assets are not compromised in case of debts or obligations. It is also easier to manage.
Partnerships is another type of entity for two members or more. It starts with a Partnership Agreement document. There are three kinds of partnerships: General (GP), Limited (LP) and Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
The last ones on the list and least recommended entities are Sole Proprietorship and DBA (Doing Business As) as they do not offer personal liability protection. Sole Proprietorship is a legal structure as LLC or corporation, but DBA is not. Having a DBA does not even protect your DBA business name.
Understanding this information can be lengthy, Jacobs kept alive the audience’s interest by giving examples of different situations where business owners had gone through legal challenges, just for not having the right legal framework since the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey.
At the same time, students’ questions sparked at Spurk. When Jacobs brought up the concept of independent contractor from the employer and employee perspective, a business student wondered if he was mislabeled at the company he worked for as a sport trainer for a few hours a week. Jacobs explained the benefits for the business owner, no payroll nor insurance commitments for an employee under contract, but the employee is legally not compromised to wear uniforms or follow a schedule.
This opened a discussion about legal issues in the workplace. A communication student, who owns a single-member LLC, raised her concerns about how to hire staff if only needed for one or two days. Jacobs explained Massachusetts is an employee friendly state. However, as it is a high cost to hire a full-time or part-time employee with full benefits, in this case, most companies opt for contractors taking the risk the employee may or may not comply with working expectations. Jacobs recommended looking for a business lawyer advice to choose the right legal option for both employer and employee according to the nature of the business.
Jacobs also created legal awareness about customer’s data privacy. When asking for contact information to clients or potential clients, i.e., the subscribe button on a business website asking for mobile number or asking for a phone number to get into a raffle of your products or services online or in person, this must include a disclaimer that complies with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). This restricts the making of telemarketing calls and the use of automatic telephone dialing systems and artificial or prerecorded voice messages. Small business owners lose hundreds of millions of dollars every year for failing in this compliance.
For Anthony Jordan, an entrepreneurial student who will open soon his ninja-based concept gym, “Jordan Warriors,” this last information was his biggest takeaway. As his business will open on June 4, he is setting up all promotions to attract customers to his indoor training facility located at 140 Epic Rd. Exeter, New Hampshire, and his marketing plan includes asking for contact information from potential clients. “If you are collecting phone numbers, you need a disclaimer. Otherwise, the client can take you to court or cause a lot of troubles.” He noted that even for sending text messages, he will use a disclaimer.
The event exceeded the class time as it was full of insights and questions were kindly absolved by the renowned business lawyer.
Jacobs was an avid and tireless student. After he graduated from the Paralegal Program in 1998 in Northern Essex Community College, he transferred to Bentley University and obtained his bachelor’s degree in International Studies where he graduated summa cum laude.
He obtained his Juris Doctorate at Suffolk University Law School.
He holds a Master in Science in Development Economics and a Certificate in International Law from the London School.
To this day, Jacobs continuously receives recognition for his professional trajectory and has been appointed as board member for different organizations.
For contacting Jacobs, please visit his website, https://theJacobsslaw.com or email him tJacobss@theJacobsslaw.com
For the record, NECC used to have for over 30 years a paralegal associate degree and certificate program which closed in 2014.
Jacobs’ legal presentation was part of the important key points that are addressed in the Introduction to the Entrepreneurial Course given by Professor Sheila Muller, who organized this event.
As part of Muller’s course, students learn to write a business plan. In the process, they learn how to start a business, the types of entities there are, products or services they want to, create mission and vision statements, market research, and the financial side. “Each business plan’s step requires certain levels of insights. Each type of entity is related to tax and legal implications.
Also reporting annually. So, students need to know that before they decide” said Muller.
Students have the opportunity to have a CPA tax professional or an experienced lawyer to learn from. However, as BizTalks is open to all, students from different courses/degrees who were thinking about opening a business or already were business owners, benefited from this event.
For more more information about this course, contact Sheila Muller at smuller@necc.mass.edu.
Men’s basketball forward, Luis Reynoso, named to the men’s basketball all-American first team, the first Knight in program history to do so.
In Reynoso’s 2022-2023 campaign he appeared in 32 of the 35 games. Reynoso averaged 19 Points and 25.2 minutes per game. He led the league in defensive rebounds (292) and total rebounds (423). Reynoso was also second in rebounds per game (13.2) and free throws made (218).
His performance on the court helped lead The Knights to a program best 33-2 overall record and their first NJCAA national tournament appearance in program history in which they placed fifth.
Knights player Domenic Cocenzie named NJCAA player of the week Courtesy of the Northern Essex website
Freshman infielder Domenic Crocenzie of North Providence, RI was named NJCAA national player of the week. The NJCAA announced the selection for the week ending on March 26th.
The Knights opened region 21 play with a three game series sweep against Roxbury community college that week. In the series Crocenzie batted .857% (6-for-7) hitting one HR and recording 12 RBIs in 30-0, 18-0 and 12-0 wins against Roxbury. His offensive assault earned him the recognition from the NJCAA.
In the series opener he hit a solo HR, a triple and drove in seven RBIs. He led off game two with a triple and scored four more runs. Crocenzie collected another RBI with a sacrifice fly in the series finale.
The Knights were scheduled to head on the road to play a double header against Holyoke community college on April 2nd.
Infielder Kevin Rodriguez of Manchester, NH taking an at bat | NECC Observer
The Knights (9-5) wrapped up their three-game home stand with a 12-0 victory against Roxbury community college (0-3) on March 26th at Trinity stadium.
Richard de la Cruz of Boston, MA had an impressive day at the plate going (2-for -3) driving in six RBIs with a double and HR. Kyle Hsu of Brookline, NH collected two RBIs and went (1-for-3).
Alex Sweeney of Raymond, NH was handed the ball to start. He struck out eight Tigers allowing one hit and two walks over 3.0 scoreless innings of work.
The Tigers found themselves quickly in a 3-0 hole when de la Cruz launched a three-run home run over the centerfield wall in the first inning.
With the bases loaded in the bottom of the second inning, de la Cruz came through with another big hit crushing a base clearing double into right center field. The Knights added two more runs in the inning to lead 9-0.
Sweeney turned the game over to the bullpen in the top of the fourth inning with Jagger Lovinelli of Huntington beach, CA. Lovinellie gave up a leadoff single. The base runner advanced to second base on a fielder’s choice. A walk issued by Lovinelli put runners on first and second base in what would be The Tigers best scoring chance. Lovinelli bounced back striking out the next two batters to escape the jam.
The knights went to the bullpen again for the fifth inning going to Reflin Jimenez of Lawarence, MA. The first batter he faced flied out to left field. Jimenez allowed a single to left field to the following batter. A ground ball to the shortstop induced a double play and secured a 12-0 win.
The victory extends The Knights winning streak to 10 and improves to 9-5 this season.
The Knights headed on the road for a double header against Holyoke community college on April 2nd.
The Community Resources area at Northern Essex Community College has partnered with Community Action Lawrence and Community Action Haverhill to have a SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) authorized outreach worker attend our next mobile food mart on Tuesday, April 25.
Pick up your veggies and receive information on qualification for SNAP. Get assistance if a current application is stuck or pending. Ask about other farm and food bank partners. Get your questions answered before or after you shop for food.
Also, Community Resources warmly invites you to eat cake and celebrate 6 years of mobile food mart presence on the Northern Essex Community College campuses!
The NECC Community Resources Department has partnered with the Greater Boston Food Bank for 6 years.
This collaboration coordinates campus Mobile Food Markets. We connect food-insecure students to food and resources through many mechanisms. Whatever the channel, we deliver food into the hearts and homes of NECC students. This mission is boots on the ground and brings the most resources to where there is the greatest need. Like all other colleges, we stand shoulder to shoulder in acknowledging the work of these departments at every college across Massachusetts.
The following quote is from a Massachusetts community college. Here the President pondered on the recent receipt of a grant: “Our top priority at Berkshire Community College is offering a quality education that is accessible to all.
But access goes beyond the classroom-we must do everything we can to ensure the basic needs of our students are met. Food insecurity disproportionately impacts students of color and low-income students.
This generous grant allows us to address the serious issue of hunger head-on by identifying need, taking active steps to alleviate the problem and allowing our students to thrive without the added pressures of food insecurity.” Ellen Kennedy, BCC President.
This writer pauses to examine what that social justice transformation looked like, in deeds rather than words or platitudes. Let us dispel the myth that we are all self-made students on individual journeys of non-connection.
Let us recognize that change was in the mobilization of committing to Community Resources Department across Massachusetts; across the United States.
Community resources with just the Mobile Food Mart alone, assisted over seven thousand households at NECC. The total number of unduplicated recipients is 26,233 not including our last (March 2023) or next (April 2023) food mart.
If you are more of a weights and measurements kind of person, Community Resources arranged and distributed 223,568 pounds of food having a value of just under $300,000.
The calculations previously listed do not include our own walk-in and bag-up food pantry. The NECC pantry offers many nonperishable nutrient-dense foods like beans and tuna. Our NECC food pantry also includes perishable items such as meat, hummus, and eggs. Nor do the calculations previously mentioned include our frozen Smart Meals, a Heats n’ Eats program with community partner Food for Free. Also, in our resources manifest is our Menstrual Care program stocking first floor restroom and our pantry itself with essential hygiene products.
Finally, $300,000 does not include something not so easily monetized: triage and resources for emergency referral. It does not include the compassion and justice work of being present with students in real time. But it is a starting point of gratitude.
A sweet thank you to our own Community Resource area at NECC.
And remember, bring your SNAP questions to the SNAP outreach worker.
Save this date: Tuesday April 25, 2023, and join us at the following mobile food mart locations for fruits,
vegetables, SNAP advice, cake, gratitude, and justice:
• Haverhill: Behrakis Student Center 12-1PM
• Lawrence: Dimitry Building 1-2PM
Many individuals and adolescents have to go through the experience of menstruation monthly.
This occurence not only comes along with cramps, pains, bloating, and mood swings, but it also comes with a cost. Many women have to purchase products to control the outcome of such. They often have to spend a considerable amount of money on tampons, panty liners, pads, discs and so forth. This event is uncontrollable in these individuals, so why do we treat these products as luxury items, and not as an essential requirement?
Throughout the world, there is limited access to free period products, and some individuals are forced to use rolled up toilet paper, old clothes or miscellaneous materials for protection. Without proper protection, they risk embarrassment, anxiety and ridicule. Presently, the ability to purchase these products shouldn’t have to be the burden of another bill. Obstetrician Huma Farid stated that “There is no equity when half the population bears the financial and physical distress as a consequence of the reproductive cycle needed to ensure human survival.” Which brings us to the conclusion, that the lack of access to such necessities is a violation of human and constitutional rights.
There is a stigma of shame that surrounds menstruation that needs to be broken, by advocating and eliminating social norms. ALL who experience their period should be able to manage it with dignity.
This is a RIGHT, not a PRIVILEGE. All should have access to these products, for FREE. It needs to be free in all institutions, jails, schools, public restrooms, and perhaps less expensive and free of taxes where they are sold. There will be no change to period poverty unless a bill comes into play worldwide, that will provide menstrual equity for all.
According to an article from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, it states that in a survey of 1,000 teens, 1 in 5 struggle to purchase menstruation products. Furthermore, 4 in 5 students have missed class, or know of someone who has due to this dilemma. It also explains how government benefits such as SNAP, and WIC don’t cover menstrual supplies. Many students rely on such supplies that are provided in schools, and other institutions. However, although there are mandates in place, they do not cover funding which causes another conflict with obtaining supplies.
Here at NECC, the Community Resource program has partnered with an organization called Dignity Matters, who supplies us with feminine hygiene products. We provide these supplies for free at our food pantries, unlimited for your entire family. In addition, If you are around campus, you will see in every first floor womens, gender neutral and accessible restroom they are available in a basket with a QR code that will bring you to the Community Resource programs and services. For food pantry appointments, and additional services please visit the Community Resource website at: www.necc.mass.edu/food.
