The law firm Berkowitz and Hanna has donated $2,000 to the Housatonic Community College Foundation’s Student Emergency Fund to help students persist and meet their needs during the pandemic.

Housatonic Community College (HCC) is a critical resource for low-income people striving to improve their prospects in the labor market. Most students are first generation college students, have children and families to support, and are working one or two jobs while pursuing their higher education. Generally, nearly 80% of the HCC student body applies for financial aid. Most of those students earned or came from families that earned 80% or less of the area median family income.

Many students are one small crisis away from dropping out of school. In fact, faculty and staff at HCC continue to report that a primary reason for a student dropping out is because of an unexpected financial hardship. Most times, these sudden crisis moments can be solved with emergency funding of under $500.

The Student Emergency Fund at the HCC Foundation was created to give one-time grants to students for sudden, urgent, unforeseen financial hardships that require immediate attention to keep a student in college and to ensure their financial health.

“We are very appreciative of this generous gift from Berkowitz and Hanna,” said Kristy Jelenik, Executive Director of Housatonic Community College Foundation. “They care about our community, and this donation will help our most vulnerable students continue their education and pursue their dreams.”

Berkowitz and Hanna LLC is a well-known medical malpractice and personal injury law firm. With offices throughout Fairfield County and New Haven, the firm regularly contributes time and resources to numerous charitable organizations in our region.

In the face of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, the Foundation’s ability to keep pace with the demand for scholarships and emergency funds is increasingly difficult. Many students lost jobs, became sick, and struggled to care for their children while attending classes. To learn more about the Foundation and how you can support financially struggling scholars, please visit www.housatonic.edu or email to contact Kristy Jelenik.

Caption For Photo Above: Berkowitz and Hanna donated to the Housatonic Community College Foundation’s Student Emergency Fund to help students remain in college and meet their needs during the pandemic.