We are in the times when a lot of strange changes are taking place in our country’s government offices.
In the power of the hands of the current U.S. president, the Trump Administration has indeed everything to do with these woes. Many federal aid and assistance programs have been impacted, paused, or completely stopped. Programs that help aid education, healthcare, housing, food, and more have been affected too.
Other victims like the Department of Higher Education, Havard, and the seven billion dollar Solar for All programs seem to be extreme priorities to either reduce or demolish.
WIC is one of the programs that was also impacted after being paused and later clarified to continue. It almost seems unreal the kind of targets and unreasonable actions against them.
The government shutdown began on October 1, 2025, but will begin taking effect in the month of November. It has reached everyone’s attention. This is the result of congressional failure of enacting funding legislation to finance the federal government before the fiscal year had begun. This significantly impacts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by stopping or reducing benefits and restricting or limiting eligibility requirements. This is impacting on students and staff at NECC who use this program.
Federal funding covers PACE TRIO program and if that gets interrupted or cut, students in the PACE TRIO program may be impacted.
Out of all the changes that the government system faces, NECC students should come together to develop ideas to support their needs and those of the NECC community.
It is important to remind students that the NECC provides food assistance including the Food Pantry in the Lawrence Campus, the Food Vouchers, and information for Community Resources.
Students can reach out to the Dean of Students, Jason Arey for any inquiries, concerns, ideas, or information, jarey@necc.mass.edu.
Fellow NECC students and staff, would you advocate for a second food pantry to be opened in Haverhill Campus?
Just as both Lawrence and Haverhill Campus have libraries, I think it would be easier for students if the Haverhill Campus also shares the food pantry even if the food amounts are divided.
For any students impacted by healthcare due to the federal changes, it is a good reminder that NECC has also partnered with TimelyCare to provide 24/7 virtual health and well-being platforms at no cost and no limit.
To access TimelyCare, students can go to TimelyCare.com/NECC or download the TimelyCare app from the app store to register using your NECC student email address.
