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Financial Empowerment
Food Security Resources
Stable Housing Resources
Mental Wellbeing Resources
Regional Campus Basic Needs Resources
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CARES is an acronym that stands for Crisis, Advocacy, Resources, Education, and Support.

The CARES Center works collaboratively with students to secure resources that meet their basic needs. The center works to connect all Kent State students with both on and off-campus resources supporting their financial, food, housing, and mental well-being basic needs.

 

  • Request Basic Needs Assistance

    Request Basic Needs Assistance

    The CARES Center connects students experiencing basic needs challenges with  timely resources. Students can complete the Basic Needs Assistance form to receive one-on-one support from a Case Manager and learn more about available resources. 

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  • Providing Support as Faculty and Staff

    Providing Support as Faculty and Staff

    If you know a student with unmet basic needs in the areas of finances, food, housing, and/or mental well-being, please use the Basic Needs Form to refer a student.  

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  • Workshops and Opportunities

    Workshops and Opportunities

    Education is key to sustained access to basic needs resources. The CARES Center works to educate students, staff, and faculty about basic needs challenges, associated support resources, and skill development for students.  

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  • Make a Flashes’ Food Pantry Reservation

    Make a Flashes’ Food Pantry Reservation

    The Flashes’ Food Pantry works alongside university and community partners to provide students access to nutritious food, allowing them to focus on their academic journey. Follow the link below to make a reservation. 

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  • Swipe Out Hunger

    Swipe Out Hunger

    Swipe Out Hunger is a national nonprofit committed to ending college student hunger.  At Kent State, students can donate and request emergency meal swipes. 

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  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

    Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

    SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly Food Stamps), is the largest federal nutrition program. With over 1.5 million Ohioans receiving SNAP benefits, this program ensures that millions of Americans have continued access to nutritious food. Some students may qualify to receive SNAP benefits. 

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Case Managers: Rare to Ohio Universities, Valuable to Kent State Students

At its core, the Kent State University CARES Center is a place dedicated to supporting students in finding solutions for resolving unmet basic needs. One of the main ways the CARES Center is able to effectively accomplish this goal is through the presence of dedicated case managers on campus whose j

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