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Bear Care Resources

The sections below are designed to direct you to resources on and around our campus.

For many of these resources and more, bookmark Adirondack Wellness Connections, which is constantly updated!

If you need assistance connecting with or navigating any of these resources, please connect with the Bear CARE Program.

University Police
(315) 267-2222 - for immediate response on-campus. Calling 911 for on-campus emergencies will delay response.

Reachout of St. Lawrence County 
(315) 265-2422 - a free, confidential, non-judgmental crisis and information 24-hour hotline that focuses on crisis services and supportive listening, and can provide many other services as needed.

Renewal House 
(315) 379 -9845- 24-hour hotline to respond immediately to the needs of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in St. Lawrence County through services which empower victims and increase community awareness. Resources include safe housing, transportation and more.

988 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
This is a 24/7 confidential crisis line available to anyone free of charge. Simply call or text 9-8-8 to be connected with crisis support resources and professionals.

Crisis Text Line
Text "HOME" or "GOT5" to 741741
Crisis Text Line is free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. Text from anywhere in the USA to text with a trained Crisis Counselor.

LBGTIQA+ Resources

  • The LBGTIQA+ National Hotline
    (888) 843-4564
  • The LBGTIQA+ National Youth Talkline (youth serving youth through age 25)
    (800) 246-7743

Both of these resources provide telephone, online private one-to-one chat and email peer-support, as well as factual information and local resources for cities and towns across the United States

The Trevor Project 
866-488-7386 or text "START" to 678-678 (available 24-7)
Our trained counselors are here to support you 24/7. If you are a young person in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgment-free place to talk, call the Trevor Lifeline now. The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTIQA+) young people ages 13-24.

Campus Food Pantry- The Prometheus Alumni Food Pantry

If you need food assistance, you are not alone. Learn more about on-campus and Potsdam community food resources (PDF).

SUNY Potsdam's food pantry is located at 119 Barrington Student Union (to the left of the mailroom).

For update information, including hours of operation, please visit the pantry Facebook page or our Get Involved page.

The Campus Food Pantry also has limited hygiene products and snack items available. Completion of the Intake Form is not required to access these resources. For more information, please contact April Fullerton at (315) 267-2732 or fulleral@potsdam.edu.

Crane Food Pantry

  • Located in Crane on the 3rd floor of Bishop Hall
  • open during building hours
  • accepts donations

Users of the Food Pantry need to fill out this short form. This new intake process is required by the Food Bank of Central New York to continue to have access to their program. The Food Pantry is staffed with Food Pantry Assistants who are available to check you in and assist you during your pantry visit.

Additional Resources

  • SNAP
    Some students are eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP benefits, which can help increase a student's food budget and can be used at many local grocery stores. The application for SNAP can be complicated, but students can get free assistance from the NOEP Coordinator at MILC. Call (315) 764-9442 x405 for help applying. 

    To determine SNAP eligibility and complete the electronic application, visit https://mybenefits.ny.gov/mybenefits/begin. For additional SNAP Educational resources, please visit the Cornell Cooperative Extenstion SNAP-Ed webpage.
     
  • Gardenshare links individuals and families with local food resources, including the local Farmers Market's, the Bonus Bucks Program, and other food resources.
     
  • The Potsdam Neighborhood Center located on the ground floor of the Potsdam Public Library has food and other resources as well. They are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
     
  • Dietician
    SUNY Potsdam Registered Dietician Nutritionist and Adjunct Professor, Jennifer Pfotenhouer RDN, CDN offers Nutrition Advising and Group Presentations.

    Located in Student Health Services Tues/Thurs, 1 -4:30 p.m. and Wednesdays 9 a.m. - Noon. Group Presentations can be arranged on request. To make an appointment, call SHS at (315) 267-2377 or make an appointment on the Student Health Portal on BearPAWS. For questions or more information, please reach out to Jennifer Pfotenhauer.

Professional Clothes Closet

SUNY Potsdam has created a Professional Clothes Closet that will offer free professional clothing to all students. Come by and shop for an interview outfit, or professional clothing for practicum and student teaching experiences.

Our Clothes Closet Includes:

  • Contemporary suit jackets or blazers
  • Full suits (jacket and pants or skirt)
  • Shirts/Blouses
  • Dress slacks and pants
  • Professional dresses
  • Skirts
  • Ties
  • Scarves
  • Belts

*All items are new or gently used and clean.
*We do not have shoes, boots, or outerwear at this time.

Location

The Clothes Closet is located in Satterlee Hall, room 112 and is open on Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

For more information, contact:
Lisa Stewart
stewarla@potsdam.edu 
(315) 267-3429

Center for Diversity Clothing Closet

FREE gently used clothing
Located in Sisson 233

Hours
Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Accepts donations by appointment only.  Email Shawn Ramos, using the subject line "Clothing Closet Donation".

For more information, please contact: Shawn Ramos at ramossm@potsdam.edu or (315) 267-2184.

Emergency on-campus housing assistance can be obtained at the Office of Residence Life.

Residence Life Directory

Emergency off-campus housing assistance can be obtained by searching ADK Wellness Connections. Several options can be obtained by entering your zip code and searching "Housing".

For off-campus housing, please refer to this guide Off-Campus-Survival-Guide (PDF).

SUNY Potsdam has a variety of services related to health & wellness. 

Among the most critical are:

Student Health Services
This site includes information about how to access the services here on campus, and also the contact information and address of the local Urgent Care clinic and hospital here in Potsdam.
 

Counseling Center
The College Counseling Center provides brief solution-based psychological services to students experiencing emotional or situational difficulties.  Services include individual counseling, psycho-educational groups, peer counselors, light therapy space, and medication management with a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. You can also contact the counseling center at counseling@potsdam.edu.
 

Accommodative Services 
The Office of Accommodative Services offers academic support for students with documented disabilities. Reach out to Jessica Burnett at burnetjj@potsdam.edu for additional information regarding their services, or visit the Accommodative Services webpage.

A list of off-campus providers can be found on the Counseling Center website or on the ADK Wellness Connections website.

There are many library resources for self-care and personal development as well. View Library Resources.
 

Bear CARE Program
The Bear CARE Program is SUNY Potsdam's Case Management program. CARE stands for Consultation, Advocacy, Referral, and Education. The Bear CARE Program offers comprehensive support to students who need assistance with difficult or unexpected life events during their time in college.
 

Therapist Finders:

The Health Hub

  • Offers free hygiene and personal care products to campus students
  • Located on the 2nd floor of Satterlee Hall just outside Room 200
  • open during building hours
  • Accepts donations
  • For more information or to make a donation, please contact Tanya Hewitt at (315) 267-2543 or hewitttk@potsdam.edu.


Medical Providers

Health Initiative of St. Lawrence County has staff who are trained and certified "Health Insurance Navigators" for New York State who can assist you with finding low cost or free health insurance coverage for you and your family. For more information or to make an appointment, please contact Jerome James at (315) 261-4760 ext 229 or jerome@gethealthyslc.org.

Renewal House

Renewal House's mission statement is:
"To respond immediately to the needs of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in St. Lawrence County through services which empower victims and increase community awareness."

They have staff on the SUNY Potsdam campus on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. in Sisson Hall. For resources or to make an appointment, email renewelhouse_campus@verizon.net.

24 hour hotline: (315) 379 - 9845
 

If You Are Sexually or Otherwise Assaulted on Campus

Get to a safe place as soon as you can.

If an emergency, contact SUNY Potsdam University Police immediately at (315) 267-2222 or use a Blue Light emergency phone.

Try to preserve all physical evidence. Do NOT shower/bathe/wash, douche, change clothing, comb hair, drink or eat, or do anything that would alter a physical exam. Wait until after one has been completed at a hospital. Also, do not launder clothing and/or bedding or throw away anything that can be used as evidence.

Remember, assaults, sexual or otherwise, are crimes; they are not the victim's fault. Victims have the right to pursue adjudication of crimes that occur on the SUNY Potsdam campus through criminal courts and/or through the University's internal disciplinary process (under the Campus Code of Student Conduct). SUNY Potsdam's University Police are trained to assist with prosecution in both systems.

The College will make every effort to be responsive and sensitive to the victims of these serious crimes. Protection of the victim and prevention of continued trauma is the College's priority. When the victim and the accused live in the same residence hall, an immediate hearing with the Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards will be held to determine the need for modifying the living arrangements. Assistance for any other personal or academic concerns will be reviewed and options provided.

Reporting Options

You may also use the above link to make a bias or discrimination report, which will go directly to the SUNY Potsdam BIRT officer.

St. Lawrence Chemical Dependency Services

Services Offered:

  • Offers services to individuals and families with alcohol abuse and/or substance abuse problems.
  • Provides outpatient individual, group, and family counseling and referrals for inpatient treatment and other levels of treatment.
  • Satellite Offices in Gouverneur, Massena and Potsdam.
  • For referrals call (315) 386-2189

St. Lawrence Health Systems (CPH)

We are committed to providing addiction treatment services for anyone who is ready to break their cycle of addiction. St. Lawrence Health System will work with each individual one-on-one to evaluate their needs and goals from the start. Our team includes licensed alcohol and substance use counselors, mental health providers, and medical staff who work together to ensure a gentle transition between services and providers as they move through each stage of substance abuse treatment.  We are the only substance use disorder treatment facility within 100 miles providing a full range of addiction services with individualized, person-centered care and treatment plans for drug, alcohol, and chemical dependency.

AA meetings in St. Lawrence County- A comprehensive list of AA, NA, and Alanon happening each day.

To arrange to speak with an A.A. member or get more information on local A.A. meetings call (315) 268-0120 for St. Lawrence County (except Massena).

Call (518) 481-4606 for Massena and Franklin County.

SUNY Potsdam has several student clubs around religion/spirituality. Click here to see current groups and join Get Involved to learn about their upcoming events.

View Spiritual Resources List (PDF)

Bear Shuttle
The Bear Shuttle is free transportation for SUNY Potsdam students to local businesses and services. an updated schedule can be found here: Bear Shuttle Schedule

College Express
Students seeking to travel downstate (Albany, Rockland, NYC, or Long Island) for break will be able to purchase tickets through College Express. Learn more about College Express and other transportation resources can find out more here: Transportation Resources.

First Mile Last Mile Program
Need a ride to a bus stop to catch a public transit bus? Considering using the First Mile Last Mile program through St. Lawrence County Public Transportation. Call (315) 644-6944 between the hours of 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. to schedule your First Mile Last Mile appointment. You must call  48 business hours before your scheduled appointment to arrange your First Mile Last Mile ride.

Jim's Transportation Med Cab 
Call (315) 854-5981 for getting back to campus after being discharged from inpatient care in Ogdensburg, NY.

Medicaid Taxi Service
If you have Medicaid insurance and need transportation to/from medical appointments/care, contact 1-866-722-4135 to arrange transportation. Must call at least 3 days in advance.

Volunteer Transportation
Need a ride? The Volunteer Transportation Center provides rides to NNY neighbors who otherwise would not have access to critical medical, mental health, dental and other life sustaining services. Our services are provided to those in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties regardless of their ability to pay. We also have contracts with municipal insurance companies (for example: New York State Medicaid) and many human service agencies. If you need a ride to an upcoming medical appointment, use this VTC Client Application to find the appropriate contact number. Fill out an application 7-10 days before your appointment!

St. Lawrence County Transportation
Each week, buses stop at more than 50 locations throughout St. Lawrence County and are run and operated by St. Lawrence County Public Transportation (Public Transit. Students ride any bus, unlimited trips, for FREE with presentation of a Student ID!! Our buses are wheelchair accessible, and accommodations can be made for other disabilities upon request. For questions about bus routes or assistance navigating the bus schedule, please contact 315-386-2600.

Uber/Taxis
Whether you're headed to work, the airport, or out on the town, the Uber app connects you with a reliable ride – from low-cost to premium – in minutes. One tap and a car comes directly to you. Your driver knows exactly where to go. When you arrive, payment is easy with cashless options.

 

Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley accompanies families for thirteen months following the death of a loved one. Bereavement services are provided at the request of Hospice families and are also available to members of the community who are grieving free of charge.

Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley’s Bereavement Services support grieving individuals through:

  • Grief Education Support – Hospice offers short term (4) sessions of grief education support to St. Lawrence County residents. Criteria for receiving this support:
    • Loss must not have occurred more than three (3) years ago
    • 18 years or older
    • Ready to commit to and work on the grief process
    • Ability to make own appointment
    • Not currently receiving therapy or other counseling services
  • Support Groups – these six-week programs allow individuals the opportunity to share with others who are navigating grief.  Our grief support groups will provide individuals with tip, tools and resources to help them through their grief journey. For additional information on monthly support groups click here.

Contact the Bereavement Coordinator at (315) 265-3105 for more information on these services and additional services available.