A Jan. 27 house fire could have derailed Brandon Carrasco’s education at South Texas College, but an emergency fund established by the college helped the Weslaco student remain enrolled while his family rebuilds.
“This entire experience has been surreal,” the 23-year-old Medical and Health Services Management student said. “Watching your house burn is the most helpless feeling I have ever experienced. That was our home, where I would study, put pen to paper, where memories were made.”
The fire, which was ruled electrical, destroyed the family’s belongings, including Carrasco’s laptop, tablet, textbooks and school supplies. He contacted his professors to request deadline extensions. One of them alerted college staff to his situation.
Through STC’s student emergency fund, known as Paws for a Cause, Carrasco received $500 to help replace school items. He also was connected with laptop, hotspot and textbook checkout programs that allowed him to continue his coursework.
The STC Foundation and philanthropic partners established the fund to provide short-term assistance for essential needs such as housing, health care and transportation after an emergency.
“Many college students, including those at STC, face unexpected financial hardships that can disrupt or even prevent them from completing their education, which is why we established Paws for a Cause,” said Tony Matamoros, STC dean of enrollment services.
Matamoros said the program pairs financial support with campus and community resources tailored to each student’s needs.
Carrasco’s mother, Belinda De La Garza, said the response showed her that the college’s references to a “Jag Family” were more than a slogan. She said education has always been a priority and she did not want the fire to interrupt her son’s progress.
Carrasco is entering his final semester. He said he plans to use his degree to help connect people with resources that support healthy lives.
Mother and son said they remain grateful that no one was injured and that the college and community helped them begin rebuilding.
