On Feb. 24, American River College students and faculty woke up to the announcement that Russia had invaded Ukraine. That same day, Brian King, chancellor of the Los Rios Community College District extended the district’s support to those affected by this crisis. The statement was signed by the four presidents of each LRCCD campus, including ARC president Melanie Dixon.

“The eyes of the world are on Ukraine this morning,” King said in a public statement. “We stand with, and send our love and support to all of our employees and students who are impacted by these tragic events.”

After months of tension between Russia and Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the beginning of a military operation involving the invasion and bombing of Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital. 

“Hate has no home in Los Rios, or in any of our colleges,” King’s statement read.. ”We will always support and defend those in our communities who are the victims of hate and violence. Please be kind to one another, now and always.”

According to Scott Crow, ARC’s communication and public information officer, ARC is working hard to provide resources and be responsive to those in need. 

“We stand with, and send our love and support to, ​all our employees and students who are impacted by the tragic events in Ukraine,” Crow said in an email to the Current. 

ARC will host a virtual Hold Space event on Zoom on March 1, designed to support unique situations, circumstances and emotions related to recent events, said Crow. More information about this event can be found here.

The LRCCD encouraged affected students and staff who are struggling to reach out to available resources, including the TimelyCare telehealth 24/7 services available here and support from the ARC Counseling office.