Apply

Benefits Navigator

What is a Benefits Navigator?

  • In 2021, the Oregon legislature passed House Bill 2835 (HB2835), the Benefits Navigator Bill, providing $4.99 million for basic needs support for students at community colleges and public universities in Oregon. The bill aims to close the opportunity gap and facilitate economic mobility by increasing access to federal, state, and local benefits for low-income students at community colleges and public universities.
  • One task of the Benefits Navigator is to find and connect resources that address the basic needs of our students to all our student populations here at EOU. For example, if a student needs housing assistance, the Benefits Navigator finds a resource to help with rental or utility assistance. These resources range from food, housing, healthcare, and transportation.
  • Increase awareness of local, state, and federal benefits for our students and provide support in enrolling them in these benefits. These benefits include SNAP and Oregon Health Plan(OHP) benefits.
  • To continue providing resources to our student populations, the Benefits Navigator creates long-lasting partnerships with various agencies locally, regionally, and federally. These agencies include, but are not limited to, local businesses, community-based organizations, Community Health Workers, federal offices like ODHS, and more.

At EOU, the Benefits Navigator is here to provide services and referrals, make meaningful connections, and help you be the best student you can be.

The resources shared here are to help you succeed and meet your basic needs. If you need help navigating or don’t know where to start, call the Benefits Navigator at 541-962-3741 or email pfredrick@eou.edu or resourceadvocate-group@eou.edu.

Contact Your Benefits Navigator

Picture of Pamela Fredrick Williams, EOU Benefits Navigator

Pamela Fredrick-Williams
Office Location: Hoke 118
Office Number: 541-962-3741 Email: pfredrick@eou.edu Book an appointment with Pamela

On-Campus Resources
Off-Campus Resources
Program Highlights
A piece of art created as a collaborative work between EOU CSEI Center students and the EOU Arts program, showing the connections that students have with the rural institution and their hometowns.
Students engage in meaningful dialogue and gain awareness of belonging at the CEAD Conference, hosted by the Student Council for Multicultural Affairs. Keynote speaker Jeremiah J. Sims encourages critical thinking and personal growth to foster inclusive leadership. (EOU photograph / Micahel K. Dakota)
Student leaders taking on the Fall 2024 Finals Week Survival Kits event where they share and pass out snacks to energize students during their finals.
Student leaders are taking on the Fall 2024 Finals Week Survival Kits event, where they share and pass out snacks to energize students during their finals.
The Benefits Navigator partners with the Oregon Food Bank and brings Fresh Alliance Food Distribution to the campus community, students and employees all together to receive free food for their families.
During the Martin Luther King Jr Day of Service, the Office of Strategic Equity Initiatives hosts a winter clothing drive for students and their families. The campus and people in the community donate winter clothing, boots, and gear to help families in need.
The EOU Benefits Navigator partners with a lot of local organizations that provide food resources and host a Fall Food Share Event on campus. These local organizations are always happy to share their resources with the students by bringing free food or groceries to give away.