“Passport to Wellness” is an on-campus event that encourages students to visit four destinations to learn more about campus health and wellness resources, where they will also have a chance to win a prize.
The event will run until 9/22.
This event is hosted by Basic Needs, Campus Recreation, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Health Education and Promotion, and the Student Health Center (SHC).
To participate in “Passport to Wellness,” students can pick up an event passport, which includes a list of places to check out on Stan State’s campus. 
These are available in the Basic Needs, SHC, CAPS, and Campus Recreation buildings.
The passports include a map on the back that directs students to all four of these destinations and has four spots that students can get stamped to show that they have checked out each location.
If a student gets all four stamps and has filled out their name, student ID number, and phone number, they can turn their passports in the drop boxes at any of these locations to enter a raffle.
By entering the raffle, students will have the chance to win prizes, such as a microwave, a parking permit, a smart watch, or one of the three wellness bundles which include a yoga towel, water bottle, a first aid kit, and resistance bands.
David Siguenza (Basic Needs Lead) said that the “Passport to Wellness” program was created to provide more information about campus resources through a scavenger hunt.
All four locations on the passport provide several free resources to students.
Siguenza further expresses why it is important for students to be aware of the resources provided at these locations.
“The Fall 2023 semester has been one our busiest semesters since we have repopulated from the pandemic. One thing that we learned from the pandemic is that there are [obstacles] that all of our students are encountering, whether it be mental wellness or physical wellness or food security. So, we thought it would be important that students are familiar with where the locations are but also take a deeper dive on what programs are offered in their respective areas,” said Siguenza.
Siguenza also details the purpose of Stan State’s Basic Needs program.
Basic Needs helps assist students with food insecurity through the Warrior Food Pantry, where students can collect up to 10 food items and toiletries once a week, at no cost.
Basic needs also offers CalFresh assistance by providing food distribution twice a month.
Both the California Faculty Association (CFA) and the United Samaritans Foundation made this opportunity possible through their support of the program.
The next food distribution will be held on Wednesday, 9/27, from 10am-12pm.
There will be 150 food boxes available for students who are interested in picking one up.
Basic Needs will also be holding a National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, which will occur from 11/13-21.
On 10/4, Basic Needs will be collaborating with the Eco-Warriors through a quad event to promote Sustainability Month.
Siguenza said that the Student Services building will be opening a clothing closet.
“Students can come in and get everyday wear. We hope to have that fully running in the beginning of October,” said Siguenza.
Paris Buchanan (senior, Business and Kinesiology), who has been a personal trainer at the Campus Recreation center for two years, thinks it is important for students to be aware of the resources provided there.
Buchanan explained that Campus Rec offers free group excercise classes, for yoga, High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), spin, pilates, and more.
Additionally, they offer free intramural sports.
Campus Rec also offers wilderness equipmental rentals, such as tents, rock climbing shoes, and other hiking necessities.
Students can also sign up for personal training sessions, which include a fee.
Campus Rec also partners with CAPS to provide students with resources.
Buchanan admires the welcoming environment Campus Rec brings.
“It’s great. The people here are super great, anybody who is going to the gym to work on themselves is usually a positive influence, real friendly people, family oriented people who welcome you in with open arms,” said Buchanan.
“A lot of the time, people already know how to work out but they need that motivation, that push, and sometimes I’ll play therapist and let them vent to me. I feel like I have a good impact, people come into the group sessions and meet new friends and that’s important, your network is important,” added Buchanan.
Olivia Sanchez (junior, Agriculture) thinks that holding events like “Passport to Wellness” is important because they help spread awareness of resources that can benefit a student’s wellbeing. 
Sanchez has utilized the Basic Needs Food Pantry in the past and appreciated having this opportunity.
However, she was not aware of the other resources available.
“I think that it is a great idea especially if there are students that don’t know about them. I didn’t know that some of those existed so I think it would be helpful to other students, especially ones who would benefit from those programs,” said Sanchez.

Gallery • 7 Photos

Front side of "Passport to Wellness" event passport. (Disclaimer: Event deadline has been extended to 9/22) (Signal Photo/Natalie Ramos)