La Salle University
Campus Awareness, Resources, and Empowerment Program
Explorers CARE provides a single point of access to programming and services to meet students’ basic needs and emotional wellbeing so that they can succeed and grow into the best versions of themselves. CARE is designed to help students overcome challenges and continue their educational pursuits and stability on campus and beyond.
Letter from the CARE Team
As a Lasallian institution, La Salle University strives to create an environment that is informed by the charism, thought, and practices established by Saint John Baptist de La Salle more than three hundred years ago. Saint La Salle, as an educational reformer, was ahead of his time in many ways. Much of what we accept as common educational practice today can be traced back to Saint La Salle; the simultaneous method of instruction and teaching in the vernacular are but two examples.
Most significantly, Saint La Salle understood education as the education of the whole individual; academically, morally, psychologically, physically, and spirituality. Within this context he understood that basic needs had to be met before a young person could concentrate on learning. He predated Maslow’s hierarchy of needs by almost three centuries. At the most basic, St. John Baptist de La Salle passed around a covered basket for students who had extra to provide for those in need, all anonymously. He created structures where students could succeed and provided rewards that built up a student’s self-esteem. Houses were visited so that teachers understood where their students came from. Detailed records about students, their learning styles, classroom behavior, family situations, etc. were passed on from year to year so that each teacher could meet the student where they were along their path to adulthood.
Contemporary science tells us much of the same thing. While there are many studies, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs may be the clearest and most encompassing. Physiological needs are basic, followed by safety, a sense of belonging, all leading to self-esteem and finally self-actualization. Standing both in our own tradition and backed by research, La Salle University endeavors to create the best learning environment for its students. What happens in a classroom is only part of that, and often can be affected by what happens outside of the classroom. Explorers CARE is La Salle’s embodiment of providing for the basic needs of students and providing for their wellbeing so that they can make the most of their time here. At La Salle this takes on a heightened meaning because of our deep commitment to social justice and inclusion. All students deserve to succeed. La Salle University works at creating a culture where success, measured individually by each student, is the norm.
The purpose of Explorers CARE is to provide a web of services, opportunities, and events that meet student’s basic needs. In doing so, we create opportunities for students to be challenged, helping them succeed and grow into the best versions of themselves. Faculty, staff, and students all are part of this culture. The resources available on campus are for the use of all, as needed and as appropriate.
Sincerely,
The CARE Team
Care Coordination
Need one-on-one support around your housing, food, or financial needs? Questions about basic needs resources that aren’t on the website?
Email explorerscare@lasalle.edu or call 215.951.1048 to get connected to a Care Coordinator for more support. We will get back to you as soon as possible, no later than 2 business days.
Single Stop
La Salle University’s Single Stop program offers free assistance connecting students with resources to secure basic needs, such Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), WIC, Medicaid, health insurance, free tax preparation, utilities and cash assistances, and other benefits.