For Juan Castellanos, Basic Needs Coordinator and Counselor at Los Angeles Valley College, the mission to support students facing food and housing insecurity is deeply personal. A first-generation college graduate, Juan remembers what it was like to study while wondering where his next meal would come from. That experience shaped his purpose, which is to ensure no student must choose between their education and basic needs.
Juan Castellanos assists LAVC students during an outreach event.
When Juan joined LAVC, he saw an opportunity to build something from the ground up. “I wanted to see a student-centered Basic Needs Center that could be a lifeline for those in need.” The challenge was immense as there was no infrastructure, limited funding, and no dedicated staff. But Juan established partnerships, secured grants, and helped the Center grow from a small pantry to a comprehensive hub of support.
Today, LAVC students have access to a variety of services including a weekly Food Pantry in partnership with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. “Every contribution has a ripple effect,” Juan says. “A bag of groceries, a book grant, or a place to shower may seem small, but to a student, it can mean the difference between dropping out and graduating. Your investment doesn’t just meet an immediate need. It fuels persistence, graduation, and long-term success for entire families and communities.”
If you would like to support the Basic Needs center, please visit our page “Support the Mosaic Village at LAVC“.