Student Services
RL-Cares
RL-Cares is a free service encouraging students to discuss various issues, personal and academic, pertaining to one’s educational future. Referral to on- or off-campus resources, academic planning, connecting with community organizations and development of a plan-of-action are potential outcomes from an RL-Cares meeting.
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RL-Cares Can Help
Our CARES (Consultation, Advisement, Resources, Exploration, Success) team provides students with the opportunity to benefit from resources, referrals, and to discuss personal or academic needs.
Any faculty, staff, or student can refer a student to CARES. The CARES team is made up of various staff who do outreach, field calls and emails.
CARES also hosts free lunches on campus once a month. “Lunch on the Lake” not only provides free meals for students, but it also offers an opportunity to explore on and off-campus resources. Community partners from social service agencies are invited to set up tables highlighting their programs and services.
The CARES team staff maintain RLC’s food pantry, laptop loaner program, mental health resources and more.
CARES offices are located in three different areas on campus to promote accessibility, including an office inside the Wellness Room, which is centrally located in the library. The Wellness Room is a quiet and safe space for all students. Students can just chill, or they can utilize resources like the mini food pantry that includes snacks and ready-to-eat lunch items. Improved access to food has been a priority of the CARES team. In addition to Lunch on the Lake, the food pantry, and the mini food pantry in the Wellness Room, a new initiative was launched in 2023 allowing students to charge a food card to their financial aid. Food cards are available in the bookstore and can be charged to financial aid like any other books and supplies. Cards are good in the RL-Café so that students can have a hot meal and enjoy breakfast or lunch with their peers.
Mental Health Resources
Mental Health America
RLC has many resources available for people who are looking to improve mental health. The college has partnered with Mental Health America, a college mental health support system that includes contact information for local institutions and national help hotlines. These contacts are not just limited to college students. Anyone from the general public is encouraged to utilize these resources.
Reaching out for support is the first step towards feeling better. If you need help, please reach out to the resources provided.
BetterMynd
Rend Lake College is partnered with BetterMynd to offer our students access to private online therapy sessions from their diverse network of licensed mental health counselors.
These 50-minute, live video-sessions are private, confidential and can take place from the convenience of your laptop, smartphone or tablet. Sessions are available during the day, at night, and on the weekends. BetterMynd also provides free self-help resources and free group workshops to all Rend Lake students.
To register and get started with a counselor that’s a good fit for you, sign-up here.
If you have any questions about these services, you can also email BetterMynd at students@bettermynd.com
Mental Health America
RLC has many resources available for people who are looking to improve mental health. The college has partnered with Mental Health America, a college mental health support system that includes contact information for local institutions and national help hotlines. These contacts are not just limited to college students. Anyone from the general public is encouraged to utilize these resources.
Reaching out for support is the first step towards feeling better. If you need help, please reach out to the resources provided.
BetterMynd
Rend Lake College is partnered with BetterMynd to offer our students access to private online therapy sessions from their diverse network of licensed mental health counselors.
These 50-minute, live video-sessions are private, confidential and can take place from the convenience of your laptop, smartphone or tablet. Sessions are available during the day, at night, and on the weekends. BetterMynd also provides free self-help resources and free group workshops to all Rend Lake students.
To register and get started with a counselor that’s a good fit for you, sign-up here.
If you have any questions about these services, you can also email BetterMynd at students@bettermynd.com
Student Emergency Fund
On-Campus Resources
Food Pantry
Our Food Pantry was created for students struggling to get adequate food. Studies show more than 30% of community college students in the U.S. are going hungry. And the numbers are growing. If you are dealing with food insecurity, RLC can help.Housing Assistance
In an effort to provide assistance to students experiencing homelessness, Rend Lake College has designated a staff member, Sarah Draper, to serve as a liaison to assist enrolled students who are experiencing housing insecurity. Sarah is happy to help connect you with campus and community resources surrounding housing insecurity.
Local Housing Authorities:
- Franklin County: 618-439-2601
- Hamilton County: 618-643-3265
- Jefferson County: 618-244-5910
- Perry County: 618-542-5409
- Wayne County: 618-842-9008
- White County: 618-966-3868
- Federal Housing Assistance: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
For a complete list of resources in our area please download our RL-Cares Community Resource Booklet.
Laptop and Loaner Webcam Program
Rend Lake College has a Laptop and Webcam Loaner Program. If you need to borrow a laptop or webcam to complete coursework, please contact the RL-Cares program at rl-cares@rlc.edu or by calling 618-437-5321 x 1225. Laptops require a deposit of $60. If you are a financial aid recipient, you may use FAFSA to pay the deposit. Webcams do not require a deposit. You will need to return the laptop/webcam at the end of the semester or contact RL-Cares to extend the terms of your loaner agreement.Post-Secondary Education Services for Youth in Care
If you are a student exiting DCFS/youth in care, you might be eligible for educational funding. For more information, visit the Illinois DCFS website.Student Ambassadors
The student ambassador program is a leadership opportunity for an honorary group of students who are dedicated to serving and representing Rend Lake College. Student Ambassadors provide campus tours, seek to enhance prospective student’s knowledge about the various student support services and programs offered at Rend Lake College, service as a Rend Lake College representative within the campus community, and perform duties at various Rend Lake College campus and community events.Food Pantry
Our Food Pantry was created for students struggling to get adequate food. Studies show more than 30% of community college students in the U.S. are going hungry. And the numbers are growing. If you are dealing with food insecurity, RLC can help.Housing Assistance
In an effort to provide assistance to students experiencing homelessness, Rend Lake College has designated a staff member, Sarah Draper, to serve as a liaison to assist enrolled students who are experiencing housing insecurity. Sarah is happy to help connect you with campus and community resources surrounding housing insecurity.
Local Housing Authorities:
- Franklin County: 618-439-2601
- Hamilton County: 618-643-3265
- Jefferson County: 618-244-5910
- Perry County: 618-542-5409
- Wayne County: 618-842-9008
- White County: 618-966-3868
- Federal Housing Assistance: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
For a complete list of resources in our area please download our RL-Cares Community Resource Booklet.
Laptop and Loaner Webcam Program
Rend Lake College has a Laptop and Webcam Loaner Program. If you need to borrow a laptop or webcam to complete coursework, please contact the RL-Cares program at rl-cares@rlc.edu or by calling 618-437-5321 x 1225. Laptops require a deposit of $60. If you are a financial aid recipient, you may use FAFSA to pay the deposit. Webcams do not require a deposit. You will need to return the laptop/webcam at the end of the semester or contact RL-Cares to extend the terms of your loaner agreement.Post-Secondary Education Services for Youth in Care
If you are a student exiting DCFS/youth in care, you might be eligible for educational funding. For more information, visit the Illinois DCFS website.Student Ambassadors
The student ambassador program is a leadership opportunity for an honorary group of students who are dedicated to serving and representing Rend Lake College. Student Ambassadors provide campus tours, seek to enhance prospective student’s knowledge about the various student support services and programs offered at Rend Lake College, service as a Rend Lake College representative within the campus community, and perform duties at various Rend Lake College campus and community events.Faculty & Staff
RL-Cares
Baker Administration Building
Phone: (618) 437-5321 Ext. 1225
Toll-free (In-District): 1-800-369-5321 Ext. 1225
Email: RL-Cares@rlc.edu
Address: 468 N. Ken Gray Parkway, Ina, IL 62846 Attn: RL-Cares
Fax Number: (618) 437-5677 Attn: RL-Cares
