Students: Come work at the HSRC!

Please help us spread the word about this opportunity at the Human Services Resource Center: We are looking for three students to help us with various projects through the rest of the academic year – our existing staff is overwhelmed and overstretched and we need more students to help us serve students!

We are looking for the following:

A Food Pantry Assistant

A Textbook Lending Program Assistant

An Event and Program Planning Assistant

 

All positions will be cross-trained heavily to help where needed. For the first term or two, all of these roles can expect to do a lot of the following:

 

  • Working at our front desk, learning how to assist students with basics, answer common questions
  • Basic food pantry operations: how to make a food box, helping with deliveries, helping with food pantry nights/shopping days
  • Cross training and basic collaboration with other HSRC student team members

 

These three positions will also fall into one of the following three individual roles:

 

  1. Food Pantry Assistant: This person will provide additional support to food pantry projects, assisting the Food Pantry Organizer with needed tasks, but generally mostly supporting the HSRC Food Pantry. This would be a really great role for a student interested in food justice, food sovereignty, nutrition, food security, health promotion, retail/merchandising, non-profits, etc.
  2. Textbook Lending Program Assistant: the student who currently oversees the HSRC Textbook Lending Program will be graduating in May and we are hoping that the student hired into this role can work alongside current staff to learn processes and help make a transition to a new student staff as seamless as possible. This role is one of the most technical we have – it involves some database work, pulling some reports, and some skill with Microsoft excel (more than your average student may know). This would be a really great role for a student interested in technology, engineering, business/operations, etc. Any other student, interested in justice or educational access, and who isn’t afraid of learning new, somewhat intimidating computer skills/processes would also be well suited to this role.
  3. Events and Programming Assistant: This person will help plan events and workshops at the HSRC as we built out having more conversations about socioeconomic identity, classism and as we provide more skills workshops for our students (cooking classes, budgeting etc). This would be a good role for any student who wants to plan events and is interested in economic justice, social justice and/or topics related to food security, housing affordability and the challenges of being under-resourced while in college.

 

We hope and anticipate that students hired into these roles, if successful will be asked to return in subsequent years, possibly in other staff roles pursuant to the student’s interests and strengths.

 

The HSRC anticipates paying these students $11.75 to start and if they return to their role next year, it’s likely that they’ll then be earning $12.75.

 

Students must apply though the OSU jobs page for each position they are interested in. First priority for review of applications will be Dec 1 – we are hoping to hire and have these staff in place by start of Winter term.

 

Thanks,
Nicole

Inside the HSRC – Breonna

My major is Liberal Studies, with the theme of Human Rights and Government. Liberal Studies is a program where you can design your own major by creating a plan with 2+ majors in it. I’m currently studying Ethnic Studies, Women Gender and Sexuality Studies as well as Political Science. I bring this up because my major is an intersectional lens on how government systems can affect marginalized communities. The Human Services Resource Center is financially supported through Oregon State University, which is a federally funded institution that works with multiple minority groups, and identities unique to a university like first-generation students. In my major, I learn about textbook definitions of poverty, homelessness, race, gender, sex, sexuality and many other identities. At the Human Services Resource Center, I see these situations actually happen in front of my eyes. They don’t always appear the way classes say they do.

Since working at the HSRC, I’ve noticed that people from all walks of life come in to use the food pantry, the textbook lending program, laundry facilities, or meet with our Basic Needs coordinator. There is no uniform, cookie-cutter description for what food insecurity looks like. My position is the Food Pantry Volunteer Liasion, I work directly with volunteers and train them how to stock the pantry or how to work food pantry days. I work with university organizations to host food drives or bringing in more regular volunteers. I walk clients through the pantry and explain our point system and every time it’s a different experience. I make emergency food boxes for people who come in. The one huge lesson, I’ve really taken away is that struggling materializes in many different ways. It’s not always the people who’d think it is. Often times, especially with college students, food insecurity and houselessness are invisible. It’s sometimes easy to hide that you need help. This has taught me that there is never a wrong time to tell people about the Human Services Resource Center.

P.S. If you’re reading this, November of 2018, we have a surplus of all kinds of squash at Champinefu Lodge. Please come get some free squash.

Get To Know Our Staff: Kevin

Name: Kevin Schultz

Pronouns: He/His

HSRC Job Title: Partnerships and Outreach Graduate Teaching Assistant

Major/minor: Master’s in College Student Services Administration

Career Aspirations: I intend to work within higher education, focusing on gender equity, sexual assault/coercion, and male identity development. Where exactly and in what capacity, is yet to be determined.

Why did you want to work at the HSRC? I spent 6 1/2 years with Jackson Street Youth Services, working with youth and young adults facing basic needs insecurity in Linn, Benton, and Lincoln Counties. I could not turn down the chance to continue this work, with students facing similar situations. I also believe that basic needs are a right and when students struggle with them they struggle with succeeding as students. I believe a solid education is the solution to most of the world’s problems, so I was excited to help students achieve that.

What will you be working on? I help supervise our student staff, assist with Poverty Action Week (formerly H&H Week), establish and maintain partnerships with community members from OSU and Corvallis, handle various office responsibilities regarding Champinefu Lodge, recruiting for our Advisory Board, etc.

What do you like to do in your free time? I spend as much time as possible with friends. But I also really enjoy TV and movies as well as playing video games. I try to find time to do homework as well.

What’s your favorite yummy and cheap meal that you like to make? I really like eating chips with tuna fish mixed with black beans and hot sauce. Treating it like a dip. Try it, thank me later.

Do you have any tips for students on how to save money? I grocery shop at WINCO, exclusively. Their bulk section is the best in Corvallis for the price. I try to walk or bike most days and utilize the FREE BUS SERVICE. I also share streaming accounts with friends so we don’t all have to pay for the entertainment.

What are you favorite things to do in Corvallis? I enjoy going to the movies, concerts, and the myriad of local events here in Corvallis.

Where is your favorite spot to relax on campus? I really enjoy the Student Involvement Lounge in the SEC, as well as the library. Also the student lounge in Bexel is quite cozy.

What is your favorite TV show and why? My list is quite long but my absolute favorites: Bob’s Burgers; Queer Eye; Scrubs; Parks and Rec; South Park; Shameless; and American Horror Story. Just to name a few. I really enjoy comedies and very layered dramas.

Get to know our Staff: Gloria

Gloria; Nutrition Education coordinator

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Major: Food Science and Technology with a minor in Chemistry

Career aspirations: I keep changing my mind about this but, currently I would want to work in Food and Agriculture research, using science and technology to address the world’s food and agriculture challenges.

Why did you want to work at the HSRC?

I first learned about the HSRC when I had just transferred to Oregon State University. I wanted  a job that would give me the opportunity to connect with other students and the Corvallis community. I also wanted to be able to make a positive impact by joining the fight against hunger and poverty on campus, so HSRC was just right for me!

What will you be working on?

I will be working on cooking classes! I love cooking, and learning new things in the kitchen. I’m also looking forward to having more conversation and discussions about classism, food insecurity and several other topics during the classes.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I am always down for a Netflix Binge. I  also really like cooking and trying to recreate some of my mom’s recipes (doesn’t always go well).

Favorite yummy and cheap meal:

Black bean Chili and rice. This is one of those meals that I grew up on. I think it’s always really easy to make,really yummy and filling. Also, for one of the cooking classes we had during Spring term we made a really quick and easy bread recipe! The bread always goes really with the black bean chili!

What are your favorite things to do in Corvallis?

I really like trying out new restaurants and walking around downtown especially over the summer!

Favorite TV show?

I have quite a couple, but my current favorite is Mr. Robot. It’s a show that follows a young man who is computer programmer by day but a vigilante hacker by night. He’s trying to bring down multinational corporate companies that he believes are running and ruining the world by hacking them. (He’s kind of like a modern day robin hood.)It’s easily one of the best things I’ve ever watched, the writing is really good and the actors do a really good job giving life to the characters.

Get To Know Our Staff: Mimi

Name: Mimi Monterrosas

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

HSRC Job Title: Events and Programming Coordinator

Major/minor: Biology with a pre-med option

Career Aspirations: My career goal is to become a primary care physician for low income and/or migrant working families.

Why did you want to work at the HSRC? I wanted to work with HSRC because the help they provide the community is inspiring. I believe everyone should have access to everyday needs. I want to help make a difference through the work I do and HSRC allows me to do that.

What will you be working on? I will be working on creating and planning events on campus that helps promote the work we do here at HSRC. I will also be working closely with other clubs, cultural centers, and organizations to plan these events.

What do you like to do in your free time? I enjoy creating new makeup looks and doing makeup on others. Also, I collect hip hop albums and vinyls.

What’s your favorite yummy and cheap meal that you like to make? My favorite cheap meal to make would be grilled cheese sandwiches. I throw in some ham or spinach too.

Do you have any tips for students on how to save money? I am a huge fan of planning and budgeting. I have a journal that I use to calculate all my expenses and making sure I am within my budget. Also, when shopping I try to look for the best price possible, so take your time when shopping.

What are you favorite things to do in Corvallis? I enjoy going out to eat with friends and exploring new places around town.

Where is your favorite spot to relax on campus? My favorite spot to relax on campus would be Waldo hall because there are always treats out for people and it’s a great study area.

What is your favorite show and why? My favorite show is The Office because the zoom ins of the characters’ reactions always make me laugh! 

Get to Know Our Staff: Michelle

 

Name: Michelle Garibay

 Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

HSRC Job Title: HSRC Student Fee Committee  Liaison

 Major/minor:  My major is Kinesiology with an option in Pre-therapy and Allied Health and a minor in Business and Entrepreneurship.

Career Aspirations: My end goal is to become a Physical Therapist and work with young athletes and/or kids in order to help them recover from their injuries. 

Why did you want to work at the HSRC? The HSRC is able to provide basic human need to many students including myself. I wanted to be apart of a team that has had such a big impact on students lives. Also, being able to see how each of our resources is  helping student achieve their academic goals reminds me that I am part of a team that is making a difference people’s lives.

What will you be working on this year?I will be the liaison for the HSRC at all of the student fee committee meetings and will also attend all advisor board meetings. Additionally, I will be assisting with the SNAP Ambassador Program.

What do you like to do in your free time? During my free time I enjoy hanging out with friends. I also, enjoy binge watching shows on Netflix.

What’s your favorite yummy and cheap meal to make? My favorite cheap meal is tuna pasta. You boil the pasta of your choice, once it’s ready you add tuna, pepper, salt, corn, peas, and butter. Tada it’s super easy and yummy.

Do you have any tips for students on how to save money? I use pocket points (an app) to get a Dutch Bros coffee for 2 dollars. Additionally, I try really hard not to purchase food on-campus.

What are your favorite things to do in Corvallis? In Corvallis, there is not a lot of activities to do but, I do like to try new places to eat around town.

What is your favorite spot to relax on campus? I enjoy studying and hanging out at the Student Experience Center (SEC). The SEC is a beautiful building full of colors and natural lighting.

What is your favorite TV show and why? I watch a lot of TV so, I have way too many. However, during the summer my favorite is Big Brother. I’ve been watching it for years now so, feel the obligation to watch it every summer.

Get To Know Our Staff: Cheyla!

 

Name: Cheyla Moranchel

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

HSRC Job Title: Textbook Lending Program Coordinator

Major/minor: Public Health and Human Development & Family Sciences, minor Business

Career Aspirations: Eventually I want to work in a Hospital managerial setting to improve patient experience.

Why did you want to work at the HSRC? I was inspired by HSRC’s mission and the impact the programs had on students as well as the community.

What will you be working on? This year I will focusing taking non-used textbooks out of the library and building relationships with professors to create more constant communication per year or per term.

What do you like to do in your free time? Hiking, running, playing catch with my dog, dancing, and reading!

What’s your favorite yummy and cheap meal that you like to make? Salad

Do you have any tips for students on how to save money? Get involved and attend events that provide free food. HSRC has many great resources so be sure to check out the resources offered.

What are you favorite things to do in Corvallis? In Corvallis specifically, I like biking/running/walking to the covered bridge.

Where is your favorite spot to relax on campus? Asian & Pacific Cultural Center

What is your favorite TV show and why? Although I do not like cupcakes, I love watching Cupcake Wars. Why? Umm… I think it’s because of the competition and cool designs and events.

 

Get To Know Our Staff: Karen

Name: Karen

Pronouns: She/Her

HSRC Job Title: Events and Programming Coordinator

Major/minor: Merchandising Management, minor in Business Entrepreneurship

Career Aspirations: I hope to work for a corporation where I can help with the planning or the sourcing of products. My dream job would be to work for Nike, Columbia, or Adidas since we are very fortunate to have their headquarters here in Portland.

Why did you want to work at the HSRC? I wanted to work at the HSRC to not only come to work and get paid but to help make a difference in someone’s life. It’s really fulfilling to personally see all the hard work and who you’re impacting.  

What will you be working on? I will be training our new Events and Programming Coordinator Mimi so she has the tools to successfully plan future events once i’m gone. I’ll also be working with Mimi on ideas for new events that she can potentially plan in the future, or new ideas for annual events that have been done.

What do you like to do in your free time? In my free time I like to listen to music, spend time with friends and family, and when I have a lot of time in my hands I will work on Adobe Illustrator.

What’s your favorite yummy and cheap meal that you like to make? My favorite yummy and cheap meal that I make would have to be quesadillas.

Do you have any tips for students on how to save money? Use the resources available to you! Use the HSRC resources, get roommates and share a room (cheaper rent). Attend events on campus and get free food!

What are you favorite things to do in Corvallis? Go out and hangout with friends! If i’m not busy then i’ll go to some home games for baseball, and football.

Where is your favorite spot to relax on campus? My favorite spot to relax on campus would probably be at the SEC because it’s usually pretty well lit and it’s usually pretty quiet.

What is your favorite TV show and why? I’m going to be really basic and say Keeping Up With The Kardashians.

 

Get to Know out Staff: Erica

Name: Erica

Pronouns: she/her/hers

HSRC Job Title: Food Security Programs, Graduate Teaching Assistant

Major/minor: College Student Services Administration Master’s Program

Career Aspirations: I hope to work as an academic advisor or study abroad advisor when I finish my program because I love building relationships and working one-on-one with students.  I aspire to be in a position where I can support students through their academic and personal struggles while helping them to recognize their own strengths and resiliency.

Why did you want to work at the HSRC?: The HSRC is an amazing community. I love working with a team of people who are passionate about helping students meet their basic needs so they can thrive. Working here has given me the opportunity to develop a more holistic and deeper understanding of what is means to support students.

What will you be working on? I will be working together with the HSRC’s student staff to oversee and develop our food pantry, SNAP outreach and other food security programs. I am also excited to help develop and facilitate events centered around classism and class inequality.

What do you like to do in your free time? I enjoy taking time to get to know people and spend quality time with friends. Live music and nature bring me a ton of joy. I also love to watch cartoons and eat pizza.

What’s your favorite yummy and cheap meal that you like to make?:  Since cheese is my favorite food, mac & cheese is my go-to yummy and cheap meal. I like to add spices, brocoli, muchrooms and chicken to give my mac & cheese an extra kick.

Do you have any tips for students on how to save money? Meal prepping is one way that I save money. I find that purchasing groceries at Winco and preparing my meals for the week ahead saves me money, and helps me to eat healthier. As a busy grad student it’s a challenge to find time to cook and save money by not eating out frequently.

What are you favorite things to do in Corvallis? Interzone is my favorite local spot to hang out and drink coffee. I also enjoy walking through Avery Park’s rose garden and Bald Hill.

Where is your favorite spot to relax on campus? I really like the Graduate Resource Center because it has a massage chair and is usually a pretty quite place to study with free printing.

What is your favorite tv show? I love Bob’s Burgers! All the characters are authentic and hilarious.

Get To Know Our Staff: Breonna

Name: Breonna

Pronouns: She/Her

HSRC Job Title: Volunteer Food Pantry Liaison

Major/minor: Human Rights and Government with a minor in Social Justice

Career Aspirations: I hope to help those who don’t always have the power to help themselves on a personal and/or bureaucratic level. I’m not sure what that exactly looks like yet, but I want to help people.

Why did you want to work at the HSRC? I wanted to work at the HSRC to get more involved with the Oregon State community as well as translate my major into a career. I believe people fall into unfortunate circumstances often times at no fault of their own and I feel obligated to help, however possible.

What will you be working on? I’ll be working on recruiting volunteers to help at our food pantries. I hope to inspire volunteers to return and see the difference they’re making while working hands-on in their community. I’ll also be working with organizations to host various food drives throughout the year.

What do you like to do in your free time? I don’t come across free time often but when I do I like to have board game nights with friends. It’s nostalgic playing childhood games and a casual way to hang out with friends without spending money! I also love plants. I like to visit Susan’s Garden and Coffee Shop. 

What’s your favorite yummy and cheap meal that you like to make? I love cottage cheese stuffed tomatoes. Scoop out the insides of a tomato into a bowl, fry some veggies (I like to do mushrooms, onions and sometimes bell peppers) combine all of that with the cottage cheese, stuff the tomato and then finish it off with a 10 minute broil in the oven. Ahhh-mazing.

Do you have any tips for students on how to save money? I have a money jar that I put spare change or dollars in. If I have a few dollar bills, I just toss it into the jar. It has really helped me when I’ve been desperate for money.

What are your favorite things to do in Corvallis? My favorite thing to do in Corvallis is going to Avery Park when the weather is nice. You can swim in the river, hammock at the park or walk through the rose garden.

Where is your favorite spot to relax on campus? The College of Liberal Arts has to have one of my favorite lounges. I like the quiet atmosphere and the location.

What is your favorite movie and why? My favorite movie is Moulin Rouge, I love Baz Luhrmann movies. The singing and hopeless romance get me in my feels. It’s also just a very different plot than most musical love stories.