Belonging & Community Transformation

• Kitsap Community Resources. Home - KCR They support with housing, energy assistance, children, and so much more.
• Salvation Army. Bremerton Corps Supporting our community with shelter, meals, spiritual support, and so much more.
• St Vincent de Paul.  St. Vincent de Paul Bremerton, serving Kitap County since 1937. Housing, resource center, thrift store, and again… so much more
• Our Olympic College Resource Center has an extensive listing of resource for both Kitsap and Mason/Thurston counties. Resource Center | Olympic College You can access help through the Resource Center, even if you can’t come on campus. We do a lot via the phone and email. Don’t hesitate to contact us for support: @email or 360.475.6817
• Students have a food pantry on all 3 campuses.  Sheryl McKinley Food Pantry | Olympic College. For more information please email: Asha McMullen @email and Samatha Stevens @email

• Olympic College Counseling Services Counseling Services | Olympic College
• Volunteers of America Crisis Call Line: 888.910.0416
• Veterans Crisis Line: 800.273.8255
• Crisis Clinic of Thurston and Mason Counties 360.586.2800
• Trans Lifeline 877.565.8860

• Possible benefits for furloughed federal workers: Washington and Oregon employment offices announce benefits for furloughed federal workers - OPB
• Shutdown Assistance Map, Resources for Federal Workers: Shutdown Assistance Map - Resources for Furloughed/Excepted Federal Workers - MyFEDBenefits
• Government Shutdown: Financial Resources for Federal Workers: Government Shutdown: Financial Resources for Federal Workers
• For our military personnel: Naval Base Kitsap Fleet & Family Support Programs
• Olympic College’s Military & Veteran Programs: Military & Veteran Programs | Olympic College

• Association for the Study of African American Life and History. "Black History Month Themes."
• Black History Month. "Educational Resources."
• Kitsap Regional Library. "Black History Month Resources."
• Museum Hack. "Celebrating Black History Month in the Workplace."
• National Museum of African American History and Culture. "Black History Month 2024."

• Affordable Colleges Online. "Financial Literacy Resources for Black Students."
• Case Western Reserve University. "Diversity Career Resources."
• College Possible. "About College Possible."
• JLV College Counseling. "Scholarships for African American Students."
• Point Foundation. "Supporting LGBTQ+ and BIPOC Students."
• Scholarships and Grants. "African American Scholarships for Women."

• Black, Disabled, and Proud. "Resources for Black and Disabled Students."
• Jed Foundation. "How You Can Cope with Racism and Racial Trauma."
• Paradies, Yin. "Racism and the Health of Young People of Color." Pediatrics.
• Rivera, Robin. "The Environment Racism Built: How Systemic Racism and Environment Contribute to Negative Maternal and Infant Health." Center for American Progress.
• Self Magazine. "Mental Health Resources for Black People."
• The Psych Show. "The Impact of Racism on Mental Health."
• University of Georgia. "Coping with Racial Trauma."
• Young, Rebecca. "Study: Facing Racism Depletes Young Adults' Mental Health." NBC News.
• Bailey, Zinzi D. et al. "Racism and Child Development: A Review of the Literature and Future Directions." Annual Review of Developmental Psychology.

• Cheyne Gallarde. "Cheynerama - LGBTQ+ POC Artist."
• Dark Yellow Dot. "10 Black Contemporary Artists to Celebrate."
• Jurell Cayetano. "Jurell Cayetano - Visual Artist."
• Krieger, Nancy. "The Erosion of Black Health: The Effects of Structural Racism." American Journal of Public Health.
• Morgan Harper Nichols on Society6.
• SimplyFaith by KGrady on Etsy.
• Sullivan, J.R. "Fifteen POC and/or Queer Artists You Should Listen To."

As a community college, Olympic College plays a vital role in the economic, social, and civic life of the communities we serve. By expanding access to postsecondary education and training and strengthening support for student success and completion, we foster the capacity-building that is so fundamental to communal well-being and to democracy itself. In order to fully achieve those purposes, we must redouble our commitment to eliminating barriers based on race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, disability, sexual identity, class, religion and other group-based distinctions that make access and opportunity a hollow promise.

To fulfill our vision as a cornerstone of learning, we must also draw more fully upon the diversity of cultures, identities, experiences, and talents that exist within and beyond our community as catalysts for the rich and robust exchange of ideas that is the hallmark of educational excellence. All learners benefit from well-designed opportunities in and outside of the classroom to engage perspectives different from their own and to better understand the sociohistorical realities that have shaped their lives and world in which they live.

In an increasingly polarized world, we must ensure that our learning and working environments are safe, welcoming, and conducive to the success of our diverse community. In addition to enhancing our prevention and response to illegal discrimination and harassment, we must address bias, bullying and incivility that undermines student and employee engagement and productivity. We have a shared responsibility to maintain a climate characterized by inclusion and respect, in which all members of the campus community feel valued and empowered to contribute the best of themselves.

We are the beneficiaries of the courageous work of many colleagues, past and present, who have helped to sow the seeds of diversity, equity and inclusion at Olympic College. By strengthening the alignment of our people, policies and processes, and by leveraging our shared values, we will advance and reap the benefits of their efforts and ensure the viability of the College long into the future. 

Olympic College seeks to maintain learning and working environments that are safe and respectful of the dignity of all members of the campus community. Discrimination on the bases of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, veteran status and all other illegal bases will not be tolerated. For more, please see Olympic College’s full Nondiscrimination PolicyLinks to an external site..

Under the Student Absences for Reasons of Faith or Conscience Policy (300-03)Links to an external site., students who expect to be absent during certain days of this course due to the observance of holidays for reasons of faith or conscience or for organized activities conducted under the auspices of a religious denomination, church, or religious organization, should request such absence via the online Reasonable Accommodation: Reasons of Faith/Conscience formLinks to an external site., linked to the Policy.

The request should be made within the first two weeks of the first day of this course, or as soon as reasonably possible, if the requested absence(s) falls within the first two weeks of the course. So that eligible absences under this Policy will not adversely affect your grades, I will work with you to provide a reasonable accommodation, such as rescheduling examinations, coursework, and/or other activities that are required for this course. For more information, contact Melissa Rodriguez, Executive Assistant to the VPI, (360) 475-7402. @email 

Olympic College is committed to providing a safe, respectful environment free from sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, violence, assault, stalking, and discrimination based on pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity. For confidential support, contact Counseling Services or visit the College's Title IXLinks to an external site. webpage for resources. Faculty and success coaches are required to report any known incidents of sex discrimination, including those shared in classwork, to the Title IX Coordinator. Affected individuals will be contacted with support options but are not obligated to respond. For more information, visit the Title IXLinks to an external site. webpage or contact @email or (360) 475-6836.

At Olympic College, we are committed to creating an inclusive learning environment that supports the success of all students. If you have a disability that may impact your ability to fully participate in this course, please contact the Student Disability Services office as soon as possible. They can work with you to determine appropriate accommodations to help you succeed. You can reach them at @email or visit their office in Bldg. 4, Room 204.

Olympic College does not discriminate on the basis of pregnancy or related conditions in its education program or activities. Students who are pregnant or who are experiencing related conditions are encouraged to contact the Title IX Coordinator to learn about their rights and resources available to support their academic success or to report discriminatory or harassing conduct on the basis of their pregnancy or related condition. For more information, visit the Title IXLinks to an external site. webpage or contact @email or (360) 475-6836.