ROCCS – Running for Oregon Community College Students
July 28 @ 8:00 am - 9:30 am
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This summer, an Oregon community college president is hitting the pavement to spotlight a critical issue: The basic needs of community college students. Starting mid-June, Clackamas Community College President Dr. Tim Cook — an avid marathoner — will embark on a bold challenge to run to every community college in Oregon. That’s more than 1,500 miles over 50 days, averaging 32 miles per day.
The Running for Oregon Community College Students (ROCCS) campaign is a statewide awareness and fundraising initiative to highlight the challenges facing today’s students and to advocate for increased state funding for essential support services. Funds raised through ROCCS will be distributed directly to participating colleges to support students’ basic needs, such as food, housing, childcare and transportation.
Community college students represent some of the most vulnerable populations in the state. A survey from The Hope Center highlights the pressing needs of Oregon’s community college students:
● Food insecurity: Approximately 41% of students reported experiencing food insecurity within the previous 30 days.
● Housing insecurity: About 52% of students faced housing insecurity in the past year, which includes difficulties such as affording rent, utilities, or frequent moves.
● Homelessness: Nearly 20% of students experienced homelessness in the past year, indicating a lack of stable and safe housing.
Follow Cook’s training and daily progress during the run on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/run4orccstudents/.
To donate or learn more about the run, visit http://run4orccstudents.org/.
The ROCCS campaign is made possible through the generous support of Rivermark Community Credit Union, Johnson RV, and Daimler Truck North America.
