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Gavilan Resources
Home > El Centro

El Centro

El Centro  is Gavilan College’s support center for students and community members.  While open to all students , the center particularly targets students and community members who identify as Chicanx/Latinx.  El Centro's equity-oriented services include housing, food, and financial assistance through local partnerships with basic-needs services. Find a list of El Centro's services below!


To receive Spring services, please submit your Basic Needs Referral. After submission, your application will be pre-screened to determine eligibility for the requested service(s). Depending on the services requested, you can expect an email or phone call from us within 7-10 business days.

Service Eligibility

Basic Needs Mini Grants (Credit Students Only)
$200 per semester for transportation or basic needs.

Gas & Hygiene Cards (Non-Credit Students Only)
$100 gas and $100 Target card per term.

Housing Grants: The amount varies based on student need and available funding.

All students requesting these basic needs services must:
- Be enrolled in 6 units of equivalent non-credit hours.
- Complete the Basic Needs Referral Form
- Have a -$1500 to 0 SAI
- Credit students must complete FAFSA/ CADAA. Non-Credit students must complete the SAI Calculator. 
- Submit additional documents requested for housing assistance.
Homeless Assistance
We offer case management, housing referrals, housing grants, hygiene vouchers to use within the Cosmetology Department, and more.
Same as above.
In addition, you will need to meet with our Case Manager for additional support.
Food Pantry
Daily Snacks, Meal Cards, Weekly Family Bags, Food Distribution.

All students are eligible to receive pantry support.
Check out the pantry webpage for more information and hours of operation.

Meal Cards
$150 per month for eligible students.

Financial Literacy
Workshops scheduled each term provided by community partners.
All students are eligible to participate.
Check out the financial assistance page for dates and times.

Basic Needs Referral


Service Eligibility Criteria

Housing Grant

The amount varies based on student need and available funding.

Complete the Basic Needs Referral Form. Be enrolled in 6 units or equivalent non-credit hours. Have a -$1500 to 0 SAI. Credit students must complete FAFSA/ CADAA. Non-Credit students must complete the SAI Calculator. Submit additional documents requested for housing assistance.

Homeless Assistance

We offer case management, housing referrals, housing grants, hygiene vouchers to use within the Cosmetology Department, and more.

Same as above. In addition, you will need to meet with our Case Manager for additional support.

El Centro Housing Program


Service Eligibility

Meal Cards
$150 per month for eligible students. Referral Form not needed.


- Be enrolled in 6 units of equivalent non-credit hours.
- Have a -$1500 to 0 SAI
- Credit students must complete FAFSA/ CADAA. Non-Credit students must complete the SAI Calculator. 
Food Pantry
Daily Snacks, Weekly Family Bags, Food Distribution.
All students are eligible to receive pantry support.
Check out the pantry webpage for more information and hours of operation.

Food Pantry Services


Service Eligibility
Financial Literacy
Workshops scheduled each term provided by community partners.
All students are eligible to participate.
Check out the financial assistance page for dates and times.

El Centro Financial Services

 



Gavilan College Resources

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              Parent Resources                           UndocuScholar Resources                Foster Youth Resources

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               Homeless Resources

 



Additonal Community Resources

Resources are organized by sections. Under each section, you will find resources separated by county—Santa Clara and San Benito County. If you live outside of Santa Clara or San Benito County, we recommend calling 411 to locate resources closer to you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need assistance using this page or connecting with the resources listed.


San Benito County

  • San Benito County Housing Programs
    Phone: 831-637-9293
    Services: Rental assistance, emergency housing support, and permanent housing programs.
  • Health and Human Services of San Benito County
    Location: 1111 San Felipe Rd, Suite 206, Hollister, CA
    Phone: 831-636-4180
    Services: Housing assistance, food, health services, and referrals to social programs.
  • Avenida
    Phone: 831-673-9461
    Services: Temporary housing, job training, and case management for low-income and homeless individuals.
  • Hollister Migrant Housing
    Location: 3235 Southside Rd, Hollister, CA
    Phone: 831-637-7913
    Services: Seasonal housing for migrant farmworkers.
  • Transitional Housing Program
    Location: Hollister, CA
    Phone: 831-637-9293
    Services: Transitional housing options for individuals working toward permanent housing.
  • Eden Housing
    Location: 1101 San Felipe Rd, Hollister, CA
    Phone: 831-636-5524
    Website: EdenHousing.org
    Services: Affordable housing developments with various support services.

Santa Clara County

  • Santa Clara County Housing Authority (SCCHA)
    Website: SCCHA.org
    Services: Housing applications, rental assistance, and housing vouchers for low-income individuals and families.
  • St. Joseph's Family Center
    Location: 7950 Church St, Gilroy, CA 95020
    Phone: 408-842-6662
    Services: Emergency housing assistance, food distribution, and case management.
  • South County Compassion Center
    Phone: 408-763-7120
    Services: Temporary housing, resources for homeless individuals, and case management for low-income and homeless individuals.
  • C.A.R.A.S (Community Agency for Resources, Advocacy, and Services)
    Location: 381-B First Street, Gilroy, CA 95020
    Phone: 408-847-4978
    Services: Offers housing support and community resources for families in crisis.
  • Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence
    Location: 1000 S. 1st St, San Jose, CA 95110
    Phone: 408-279-2962
    Services: Emergency shelter, transitional housing, and support services for survivors of domestic violence.
  • Sacred Heart Community Service
    Location: 1381 South First St, San Jose, CA 95110
    Phone: 408-278-2160
    Services: Housing assistance, food pantry, and job training programs.
  • Amigos de Guadalupe
    Location: 90 E. Julian St, San Jose, CA 95112
    Phone: 408-918-0300
    Services: Support for families, including housing assistance and social services.
  • PATH (People Assisting the Homeless)
    Location: 1859 Little Orchard St, San Jose, CA 95125
    Phone: 408-753-8735
    Services: Permanent housing assistance and case management in Santa Clara County.

  • C.A.R.A.S (Community Agency for Resources, Advocacy, and Services)
    Location: 381-B First Street, Gilroy, CA 95020
    Phone: 408-847-4978
    Services: Offers housing support and community resources for families in crisis.
  • Elevate
    Website: https://www.elevatecommunitycenter.org/contact
    Phone: (408) 357-9538
    Services: Legal services, financial education, and resources for families in crisis.
  • Project Sentinel
    Location: 1490 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95050
    Phone: (888) 324-7468
    Services: Assistance with housing problems such as discrimination, mortgage foreclosure & delinquency, rental issues including repairs, deposits, privacy, dispute resolution, home buyer education, post-purchase education, and reverse mortgages.

San Benito County

  • San Benito County Emergency Shelter
    Location: 1161 San Felipe Rd, Hollister, CA 95023
    Phone: 831-256-7242
    Services : Short-term emergency shelter with connections to housing programs.
  • Emmaus House
    Location: 829 San Benito St, Hollister, CA 95023
    Phone: 877-778-7978
    Services : Emergency shelter and support services for women and children facing domestic violence.
  • H.O.M.E. Resource Center
    Location: 1161 San Felipe Rd, Hollister, CA 95023
    Phone: 831-265-1852
    Services: Supportive housing services, case management, and employment assistance.

Santa Clara County

  • Santa Clara County Homeless Helpline
    Phone: 408-510-7600
    Services: 24/7 support for emergency shelter and resource connections.
  • National Guard Armory Winter Shelter
    Location: 8490 Wren Ave, Gilroy, CA 95020
    Phone: 408-686-1300
    Services: Seasonal shelter open from late fall to early spring, providing overnight shelter and meals.
  • HomeFirst – Boccardo Reception Center
    Location: 2011 Little Orchard St, San Jose, CA 95125
    Phone: 408-294-2100
    Services: Emergency shelter, meals, and case management.
  • Bill Wilson Center
    Location: 3490 The Alameda, Santa Clara, CA 95050
    Phone: 408-243-0222
    Services: Housing, counseling, and support programs for youth ages 11–24.
  • Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence
    Location: 1000 S. 1st St, San Jose, CA 95110
    Phone: 408-279-2962
    Services: Emergency shelter, transitional housing, and support services for survivors of domestic violence.

San Benito County

  • San Benito Food Bank
    Location: 1133 San Felipe Rd, Hollister, CA 95023
    Phone: 831-637-0340
    Services: Food distribution for low-income residents of San Benito County.
  • Community Food Bank
    Location: 1133 San Felipe Rd, Hollister, CA
    Phone: 831-637-0340
    Services: Food pantry support for low-income residents.
  • Salvation Army
    Location: 910 Buena Vista Rd, Hollister, CA
    Phone: 831-636-9832
    Services: Emergency food assistance and support services.
  • Youth Alliance
    Location: 310 4th St, Suite 101, Hollister, CA
    Phone: 831-537-3620
    Services: Provides food support and resources for youth and families in need.

Santa Clara County

  • Gavilan College Food Pantry
    Location: El Centro, Gavilan College
    Hours: 1st & 3rd Thursdays of each month, 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
    Services: Snacks, family bags, food distribution, and meal card program.
  • Sacred Heart Community Service Food Pantry
    Location: 1381 South First St, San Jose, CA 95110
    Phone: 408-278-2160
    Services: Food pantry and support services for low-income families.

San Benito County

  • San Benito Health Foundation
    Location: 351 Felice Dr, Hollister, CA 95023
    Phone: 831-637-5306
    Services: Affordable medical, dental, and mental health services.
  • BACH (Bay Area Community Health)
    Locations:
    • Gavilan College Pop Up
    • Gilroy
    • San Jose
    Services: Comprehensive health services including medical care and health education.
  • CalFresh
    Phone: 831-637-9293
    Services: Provides monthly benefits to help low-income individuals and families buy food.
  • Medi-Cal
    Phone: 831-637-9293
    Services: Low-cost or free health coverage for eligible low-income individuals and families.
  • Community Solutions
    Location: 341 Tres Pinos Rd, Suite 202 B, Hollister, CA
    Phone: 831-637-1094
    Services: Mental health support, crisis intervention, and other health resources.

Santa Clara County

  • Gardner Health Services
    Location: 195 East Virginia St, San Jose, CA 95112
    Phone: 408-457-7100
    Services: Comprehensive health services including medical, dental, and behavioral health care.
    Appointment Link: Gardner Health Services Homeless Project
  • BACH (Bay Area Community Health)
    Location:
    • Gavilan College Pop Up
    • Gilroy
    • San Jose
    Services: Comprehensive health services including medical care and health education.
  • CalFresh
    Phone: 831-637-9293
    Services: Provides monthly benefits to help low-income individuals and families buy food.
  • Medi-Cal
    Phone: 831-637-9293
    Services: Low-cost or free health coverage for eligible low-income individuals and families.
  • Santa Clara County Mobile Health Clinic
    Phone: 408-455-7100
    Services: Basic health screenings, vaccinations, and referrals.

 

 

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Quick Links

El Centro Services

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Housing Assistance
Financial Assistance

Resources 

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Location

LI 139

Office Hours
Monday-Thursday
9 AM-5 PM

Friday
9 AM-1 PM

Phone/ Number
408.848.4753

Email Address
elcentro@gavilan.edu



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Gavilan College Gilroy
5055 Santa Teresa Blvd
Gilroy, CA 95020
(408) 848 - 4800

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Gavilan College Hollister
505 Fairview Road
Hollister, CA 95023
(831) 636-3783