Train Community Health Champions | HDCC Student Fund

Who we are

SJSU’s Healthy Development Community Clinic (HDCC) supports the holistic wellness of children, youth, and families in the South Bay while preparing the next generation of community-centered health professionals. As an innovative community-based training clinic, HDCC brings together university and community resources to expand access to culturally responsive care where it is most needed. Through hands-on, community-engaged practice, HDCC provides undergraduate and graduate students in health, mental health, and education-related fields with real-world experience grounded in collaboration across disciplines. Students learn not only how to serve individuals and families, but how to work as part of interprofessional teams that reflect the realities of community care.

Drawing on the university’s identity as a minority-serving institution, HDCC plays a vital role in diversifying the regional behavioral health workforce. Many of the students trained at HDCC are first-generation scholars and individuals from historically underrepresented communities, gaining the skills and confidence to serve the same communities they call home. By situating training in a community-based setting and emphasizing culturally sustaining practices, HDCC prepares students to make an immediate and lasting impact as they launch their careers—strengthening the health and wellbeing of the South Bay for years to come.

What we are raising money for:
SJSU HDCC is raising funds to directly support student training experiences that make community-based care possible. While students pay university fees, those funds do not cover the supervision, materials, or program resources required for high-quality, hands-on placements. Philanthropic support ensures that students receive the guidance and resources they need to learn by doing—under close supervision and in real community settings—while children, youth, and families receive meaningful, culturally responsive services.

Many HDCC students are the first in their families to attend college. Through HDCC, they are encouraged to engage with community members using their heritage languages, lived experiences, and cultural knowledge. These opportunities are transformative, preparing students to enter the workforce with confidence, skill, and a deep commitment to the communities they serve. Donor support helps provide essential materials and supplies for HDCC programs—including nutrition items, art supplies, and health resources—so students can lead activities, build relationships, and create welcoming spaces for families. Your investment strengthens student learning today and expands access to community-centered care for the South Bay tomorrow.

Why $7,500 Matters:

Our $7,500 goal will fully support 15 students at $500 each. These funds cover clinical supervision, supplies, and program materials not included in tuition—ensuring that first-generation underrepresented students can participate fully in training experiences without financial barriers, while families receive meaningful, community-centered care.