Building the Future

A 2023 student survey revealed that among students’ priorities for campus improvements was a unified center for basic needs, which the University Student Union will address with The Valera NEST (a Nurturing Environment for Students to Thrive).

California State University, Northridge ceremonially broke ground on The Valera NEST on May 3, 2024. The space is expected to open in spring 2026 and will house critical support services to enable students to flourish and reach their educational goals.

“I think it’s really about seeing the student as thriving. What are the things we can do so the students can come here and feel like this is the ultimate place to take care of themselves?” said Mirna Sawyer, USU Board of Directors faculty representative and associate professor of Health Sciences. “In public health, we have this saying called ‘Making the healthy choice the easy choice,’ and I feel like that’s really what The Valera NEST is doing.”

The space will not be a new building, but rather a renovation of current space within the USU, located in an area previously occupied by Wells Fargo and the Pub Sports Grill.

“Architecturally, this was a great opportunity to work with the existing pub building, which was underutilized and not part of the long-term union planning. The pub space felt dark, so we are introducing a lot of natural materials and brightening it up to create a pleasant place that you’d want to spend time in,” said Craig Hamilton, the project’s architect. “It’s like a bigger version of a welcoming family kitchen.”

During the project’s initial stages, Family and Consumer Sciences Associate Professor Kristin King had students in interior design courses come up with mockups of what a community kitchen could look like, some of which ultimately helped shape the design of the space.

The facility will bring the CSUN Food Pantry, Matty’s Closet, Ila’s Kitchen (a new community kitchen), offices for Basic Needs Care Coordinators and cold food lockers into one location.

“We’re really trying to envision this space as a welcoming home environment where people want to come and stay to hang out, being able to plug in their device, heat up their lunch or store their food pantry items in the lockers,” said Samantha Liu, USU associate director for operations and services. “We are trying to reduce the stigma around basic needs. By putting all these basic needs resources under one roof, we hope it will increase students’ awareness that these resources are out there and make them more accessible.”

By centralizing several critical resources, campus partners expect the facility to foster creative thinking and inspire new initiatives that will positively impact students.

“When we’re able to create a space of community and belonging for our students, our impact can be just as powerful—having a sense of belonging can be just as important as the resources and programs we’re helping them to access through this space,” said Shelley Ruelas-Bischoff, associate vice president for student affairs. “With these combined aspects, we’re really setting students up for success to achieve their goals.”

The Valera NEST will be the result of numerous dedicated individuals’ tireless work and passion for improving the lives of students. It is also a CSUN campus partnership with the USU, Division of Student Affairs, Office of Basic Needs, Career Center and the College of Health and Human Development.

“I don’t often get to work on such a collaborative project with so many different partners from so many places and different parts of the university, but also our partners outside the university,” said Debra Hammond, USU executive director.

With the aid of California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, $6 million was secured from the state budget to cover nearly a third of the funding needed for The Valera NEST project.

The Valera NEST is named in recognition of an impactful donation from Milt and Debbie Valera. Ila’s Kitchen is named in honor of Ila Levy, mother and mother-in-law of donors Rick and Barbara Levy, respectively.

From 2019 to 2020, Sawyer and Family and Consumer Sciences Associate Professor Nelida Duran conducted a study to measure food insecurity on campus. As part of the study, the two hosted focus groups in which students suggested a place where they could refrigerate, re-heat and even prepare their food might alleviate some aspects of food insecurity for them at CSUN.

“As a former CSUN student myself, I remember living in the dorms and not knowing where the next meal was going to come from. I had a meal plan, but some of my friends didn’t, so sometimes it was bringing them with me or bringing them food back,” said Liu. “Food insecurity is real, not only on our campus but throughout the nation.”

The community kitchen area will feature microwaves, hot water dispensers, cold food storage lockers, a food preparation area, a lounge and eating spaces.

“The people I want to thank most of all are our students because they are our inspiration. They are the wind beneath our wings, and it is really important that we celebrate them at all times,” said Hammond.

Other student resources housed in The Valera NEST will also be vital to students’ academic and personal success. The CSUN Food Pantry will provide shelf stable pantry items, fresh produce and perishable items, and Matty’s Closet, a new and gently used clothing boutique, will offer students workplace clothing at no cost. Staff to assist students with securing temporary and long-term housing, as well as addressing food insecurity and other needs, will also be available in the space.

“Everyone involved has been inspired by what this project could do for our students, and I am grateful for the motivation, dedication and passion that all have given, and will continue to give, to this incredible work,” Ruelas-Bischoff said.