You can join BCS by filling out our membership form or contacting us at bruincaregiverscholars@gmail.com. Membership is open to all UCLA students interested in our mission, whether they are caregivers themselves or allies who want to support caregiving students.

No, you do not need to have caregiving experience to join BCS. We welcome anyone who is passionate about supporting and advocating for caregiving students or who wants to learn more about the issues we address.

We understand that caregiving students often experience social isolation and spend a significant amount of time outside the classroom managing their responsibilities. This can make it challenging to attend in-person meetings or activities. Our research supports these difficulties, which is why we’ve created a decentralized way for students to connect and engage with one another. On our website, we have a discussion board where you can ask questions, share experiences, and connect with fellow caregiving students at any time. Additionally, we offer a Zoom option for all our meetings, and we record these sessions so they can be accessed on our website at your convenience. This way, you won’t miss out on essential resources, discussions, or the sense of community.

Members can participate in events, advocacy efforts, outreach activities, and leadership roles within BCS. We also have executive board positions available, which offer leadership and skill-building opportunities.

BCS offers a range of resources, including workshops, support groups, advocacy initiatives, and connections to campus services. We also provide information about external resources that may be helpful to caregiving students.

You can find information about upcoming events by joining our email list or by following us on Instagram @uclacaregivers. We also send email updates to members with details about events, workshops, and other opportunities.

While BCS does not directly provide financial support, we advocate for scholarships and resources to be made available for caregiving students at UCLA. We also share information about external funding opportunities for caregivers.

A caregiving student is someone who provides regular care and support to a dependent, whether full-time, part-time, or remotely. This care may involve traveling back home as needed, interrupting academic responsibilities. Caregiving can include managing medical care, household responsibilities, and emotional support for a parent, grandparent, or other dependent. Our definition is broad to reflect the variety of caregiving situations students may experience.

While all parents may act as caregivers from time to time, such as when their child is sick, caregiving for an adult dependent or a neurodivergent child requires more specialized and consistent care. This often involves managing additional therapies, such as speech therapy, overseeing school administration, coordinating frequent medical appointments, and more. BCS focuses on supporting students who care for adult dependents, a group that is often underrecognized at many institutions.