By: Let’s Go

The holiday season is upon us!  While this can be a time of celebration with family and friends, this can also be a stressful time for college students and their families. A lot of money and time goes into these celebrations that not everyone has the means for. In addition, for vulnerable students like low-income, houseless, and queer students this can be a time of stress and uncertainty.

However, in times like these, we can depend on community and mutual aid because we have each other’s back. Below we have listed different resources college students and their families can hopefully benefit from.  

Food Banks: Offers free food such as non-perishables, fruits, and vegetables.

Find a Food Bank 

California Food Banks 

Shelters: If you are seeking emergency shelter or a safe place to stay during the holiday/ winter season, here is CA’s shelter directory:

Emergency and Homeless Shelters – United Way 211 

California Homeless Shelters – California 

COVENANT HOUSE CALIFORNIA – Serving homeless youth in Los Angeles County and the San Francisco Bay area 

Queer Resources: For some queer students, college is the perfect escape to find and embrace who they are without the fear of rejection. This can sometimes make going back home difficult. Below are LGBTQ resources like CSU centers, self-care guide, and county and statewide resources you can access.

LGBTQIA Centers | CSU 

County Resources 

Statewide Resources 

Holiday Gifts- Have a young child in your life? Here are some centers and organizations that host toy drives:

Get FREE Christmas Gifts & Food In California!  

Free Christmas and holiday assistance Los Angeles County