Mission

• The Care Center at Lone Star College-University Park is committed to providing the resources necessary to meet basic student needs. Utilizing a holistic approach, the UP-Care Center offers various food options, clothing assistance, academic tools, and other essential resources to cultivate an environment where students can thrive.

Vision

• Our vision is to develop a thriving community at Lone Star College-University Park where students, faculty, and staff have access to the resources necessary to achieve stability and contribute positively to our society.

Location

• Lone Star College - University Park
• Commons Building Rm CB222
• 20515 TX-249
• Houston, TX 77070

Hours of Operation

• Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm
• Friday CLOSED

Our partnership with the Tomball Health Coalition is dedicated to enhancing healthcare access, preventive care, and health education. It acts as a regional funder, distributing hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants annually to various health-related initiatives and community groups.

Additionally, as a proud Food for Change Partner with the Houston Food Bank, we are committed to easing the financial burden of grocery costs for our students. Through this program, students who enroll receive food scholarships, granting them 60 pounds of nutritious food—half of which is fresh produce—twice a month.

Our partnership with Swipe Out Hunger ensures no student has to choose between their education and getting enough to eat.

Erika Taylor- UP Care Center Manager
Welcome to the UP-Care Center! As the manager, I am thrilled to welcome you to a space dedicated to supporting LSC-University Park students. Our mission is to ensure you have everything you need for both personal and academic success. From food and baby items to clothing and valuable information, we offer a range of services designed to help you thrive. We're here to support you every step of the way—because your success is our priority.

Cindy Vazquez-  Coordinator II, Care Center
Welcome to the CARE CENTER-UP! I'm Cindy Vazquez, your Coordinator II for the Care Center at Lone Star College–University Park. As a first-generation student who began my educational journey later in life, I am passionate about helping students navigate obstacles and feel confident in their ability to succeed.

At the Care Center, we believe student success extends beyond the classroom. I am excited to help connect you with the support, resources, and opportunities available to help you thrive both academically and personally. I look forward to working with you and being part of your journey at Lone Star College-UP!

LaShon Cooper-  PT Coordinator II, Care Center
Welcome to the Care Center! My name is LaShon, and I’m passionate about wellness and building intentional community here at Lone Star College–University Park. I’m dedicated to creating a supportive environment where students feel connected, encouraged, and at home. Whether it’s through campus events, shared experiences, or simply being a listening ear, I’m here to help you navigate your journey and access the resources you need to thrive.

At UP, we understand that student success is about more than academics - it’s about feeling supported every step of the way. I’m excited to walk alongside you and help make your experience at the Care Center meaningful and empowering. I look forward to connecting with you soon!

Brenda Gorostieta- PT Specialist III
Hello, welcome to the University Park Care Center! My name is Brenda Gorostieta, and I am a Specialist III. I feel honored to be part of a team that supports our LSC students in a unique way. Whether you are in need of food, clothing, or other services, I am here to help you find the support you deserve! My goal is to make every student feel welcomed and cared for. Reaching out is a sign of strength. Together, we can make sure your needs are met so you can focus on your success here at Lone Star College-UP!

Yasmine Khalil- PT Specialist III
Welcome to the Care Center! My name is Yasmine Khalil, a work-study student at the Care Center-University Park. Since becoming a student and employee at Lone Star, I've learned so much and met wonderful people. I love helping others and making sure they always feel like they are in a safe place. I've learned how to manage my time properly and balance my academics with school work as well as my personal life. We are here to help anyone and everyone so, help us work together to achieve your goals, help you succeed, and make sure you have an amazing experience at Lone Star-UP!

Hey there! Feeling hungry or need some supplies? Here's the scoop on Leo's Shelf, your one-stop shop for free food on campus:

• Essentials: Nothin' but good vibes at Leo's Shelf- food, household supplies, and toiletries available for LSC UP faculty, staff, or students.
• Grab & Go: In a hurry? No sweat! We have ready-to-eat meals for those on-the-go days available for current LSC students.

Leo's Threads is all about helping students look and feel their best. Leo's Threads is your campus closet where you can score FREE gently-used clothes and accessories! We have a variety of gently-used clothing: tops, bottoms, baby clothing,  outerwear, shoes and accessories (items vary by availability). This campus clothing closet is open to EVERYONE - students, faculty, and staff.

Schedule an appointment for Leo's Threads here:
https://outlook.office.com/book/BookYourShoppingTimeatLeosThreads@mylonestar.onmicrosoft.com/s/nt7JDcqW3UmtnHdosEAL7Q2?ismsaljsauthenabled=true

Need school supplies? Don't sweat it! Roar & Ready, a program of the UP-Care Center, has you covered.

• Stock up on essentials: Grab free school supplies to get you started for the semester.
• Stay connected: Need Wi-Fi but don't have access? Borrow a hotspot from the UP-Care Center to stay online.
• Crunch numbers with ease: Check out a calculator for those tricky math problems.

Got a Little Cub? We've Got You Covered!

Calling all new mamas (and papas)! Being a parent can be tough and Cubs Care wants to make things a little  easier for you. We understand the challenges of juggling school and a little one. Cubs Care is here to help you navigate parenthood on campus.

• Essentials: Need diapers, wipes, or other baby essentials? Cubs Care has a stock of supplies to help you out.
• The Nurturing Den: Access to a comfortable lactation room for nursing mothers.
  • Schedule an appointment to use the Nurturing Den here:
    https://outlook.office.com/book/TheNurturingDen@mylonestar.onmicrosoft.com/?ismsaljsauthenabled
• Baby Clothing: Accessible through Leo's Thread's 
  • Schedule an appointment for Leo's Threads here:
    https://outlook.office.com/book/BookYourShoppingTimeatLeosThreads@mylonestar.onmicrosoft.com/s/nt7JDcqW3UmtnHdosEAL7Q2?ismsaljsauthenabled=true

LIFT-UP is all about empowering students to succeed, no matter what challenges they face. We’re here to offer a helping hand, lighten your load, and get you back on track.

• Transportation challenges? LIFT-UP can help you score half off rides with the Metro application for Metro cards to help ensure you can make it to class. All current students are eligible for this service. The QR code is located in the Care Center (CB222).
• Struggling to afford textbooks? We offer textbook assistance programs to lighten the load for qualifying students.

We're Your Information Hub! Think of us as your student success GPS - we'll help you get where you need to go!

• Don't see what you need? No problem! We're like a giant information hub. Whether it's a specific resource or information, we'll do our best to track it down for you. Submit A Care Request Form!

  • How to Submit the CARE Request Form:

    1. Log in to your myLoneStar account.

    2. Click on your Student tile.

    3. Select the CARE Request Form tile and follow the instructions.

    Once your form is submitted, we will follow up with next steps to ensure you receive the appropriate resources.

    If you have any questions or need help completing the form, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

• Got a question? We're here to help! We have a wealth of information on campus resources and can point you in the right direction.

• Donate food, toiletries, household items or new/ gently used clean clothing directly to the Care Center or via the donation boxes around the campus. For a list of items and donation box locations click here.
• Use our Amazon Wishlist to purchase items directly and have them shipped straight to the UP-Care Center. View our Amazon Wishlist here.

• Donate securely using your debit or credit card. We accept cash donations in person at the Care Center.
  • UP-Care Center Storefront
• You can also donate directly! Swing by the UP-Care Center and make a cash donation. Every dollar you give helps stock our shelves with essential items for students.

• Join us in making a difference, one paycheck at a time! Sign up for payroll deduction to donate to the UP-Care Center! Your regular contributions, no matter the size, go directly towards providing essential items like food, toiletries, baby supplies, and emergency assistance – all at no cost to students.
  • Click here for PDF instructions on how to set up payroll deduction

• Individuals interested in joining the general volunteer list for Care Center events should complete our volunteer interest form. All students, faculty, and staff welcome.
  • Volunteer Interest Form 

• Unity in Action allows departments, student organizations, or any other groups to volunteer at the Care Center's Houston Food Bank distribution days on campus. Volunteers are needed on distribution days from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM, 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM, and 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM.
  • Unity In Action- Group Distribution Sign Up Form

• Departments, student groups, or other organizations can collaborate with the Care Center to host a drive, collecting items such as clothing, food, diapers, toiletries, and more.
  • Host A Donation Drive Form