Making Support More Accessible

for SAC Fainbarg Chase Thrive Center

56+

Food pantry graphics

10+

Student assistants trained

45+

Pantry visitors welcomed per shift

1. Overview

As a Basic Needs Program Lead Student Assistant and Content Creator at Santa Ana College's Fainbarg Chase Thrive Center, I supported students' access to essential resources through both digital outreach and daily food pantry operations. My responsibilities combined promotional content creation, student assistance, team coordination, and inventory management, allowing me to contribute to the program both behind the scenes and through direct student interactions.

2. Audience & Challenge

  • Communicating basic-needs resources requires more than sharing information. Students need to understand what support is available and feel comfortable accessing it.

  • At the same time, an active food pantry depends on organized operations and a supportive team to serve visitors efficiently and respectfully.

  • My work involved contributing to both sides of that experience: promoting resources through creative communications and helping students access them in person.

3. My role

As a Basic Needs Program Lead Student Assistant & Content Creator, my responsibilities included:

  • Creating digital graphics and promotional content supporting pantry resources and activities.

  • Producing visual content for student outreach, including graphics and short-form videos.

  • Training 10+ student assistants in pantry procedures and coordinating daily assignments.

  • Developing a Google Sheets inventory tracker to improve recording accuracy.

  • Assisting 45+ pantry visitors per shift with welcoming, judgment-free support and Vietnamese interpretation when needed.

4. Strategy

  • Making Resources Visible and Approachable

Through digital graphics and promotional content, I supported the Thrive Center's efforts to communicate available resources to students.

My creative work focused on presenting information in accessible, visually engaging formats that could support outreach and encourage awareness of the program.

  • Supporting the Experience Behind the Message

Beyond promotional communications, I contributed to the day-to-day experience of students visiting the pantry. By assisting visitors, training student assistants, organizing assignments, and improving inventory tracking, I helped support a more organized and welcoming service environment.

5. Execution

Community Outreach Content

Outreach & Promotional Reels

Pantry Operations & Team Leadership

Alongside content creation, I served in a lead student assistant role supporting daily food pantry operations.

I trained more than 10 student assistants in pantry procedures, helped organize daily responsibilities, and welcomed students accessing program resources.

I also developed a Google Sheets inventory tracker to improve the accuracy of inventory recording. This initiative helped reduce recording errors and demonstrated how small operational improvements could support the team's work.

6. Results

My contributions supported both student outreach and daily pantry operations.

  • 56 food pantry graphics created to support resource promotion, during a period when program enrollment grew by 20%.

  • 40% reduction in inventory recording errors reported following the implementation of the Google Sheets tracker.

  • 10+ student assistants trained in pantry procedures and daily responsibilities.

  • 45+ visitors welcomed per shift, with assistance and Vietnamese interpretation provided when needed.

7. Reflection

Working at the Thrive Center taught me that meaningful communication begins with understanding the people it serves.

Creating promotional content helped me develop my visual storytelling skills, but working directly with students gave me a deeper appreciation for the importance of accessibility, empathy, and judgment-free support.

As a lead student assistant, I also learned that leadership isn't simply about assigning tasks. It's about helping teammates feel prepared, supporting one another during busy shifts, and finding ways to improve everyday processes.

This experience showed me how communication and service can complement each other. A well-designed graphic can help someone discover a resource, but a welcoming environment and supportive team help make that resource truly accessible.