Anderson Oconee Pickens

Tri-County Technical College's Counseling Center is First Point of Contact for Displaced Gulf Coast Residents

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 9/13/2005
CONTACT: COUNSELING CENTER, 646-1569
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- Tri-County Technical College's Counseling Center is the first point of contact for those Gulf Coast state residents who have been displaced to the tri-county area following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

"We are offering assistance with college-related costs and are waiving the application fee," said James Williams, vice president for Student Affairs. "We are offering comprehensive, career and academic counseling services, in addition to referrals for those individuals who contact us." The local contact number is (864) 646-1569, the toll free number is 1-866-269-5677, Ext. 1569, and the e-mail address is katrina@tctc.edu.

"We are working to remove the barriers and will assess needs and work with individuals on a case-by-case basis," Mr. Williams said. "We will help these individuals look at their options in terms of career services and guidance and are ready to help them to get back on their feet," he said.

"As Mr. Williams said, the Counseling Center is the College's first point of contact to let victims of the hurricane know about resources that are available to them," said Vinson Burdette, associate dean of Counseling. "We stand ready to assist them as a broker of resources at the College and in our three-county community."

Tri-County's student organizations are participating in several fundraising events to aid the Gulf Coast states in the aftermath of the hurricane. The Student Government Association is sponsoring a fundraiser for the Red Cross in conjunction with a September 21 campus blood drive.

The Veterinary Technology department is working with the animal rescue group, Pets in Peril, to examine animals rescued off the streets in New Orleans. The students also raised more than $100 for the organization to purchase shampoo for the animals and are continuing their fundraising efforts.

For more information contact (864) 646-1569, the toll-free number is 1-866-269-5677, Ext. 1569, and the e-mail address is katrina@tctc.edu.