DEEP Service SIENA COLLEGE ACADEMIC COMMUNIT Y ENGAGEMENT NEWS | FALL 2012
INSIDE NEW ACE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS BONNERS IN MAINE SUMMER SERVICE IN THE CAPITAL REGION COMMUNITY ENGAGED FACULTY YOUTH PROGRAMS SPOTLIGHT
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SIENAcollege Academic Community Engagement News Fall 2012
515 Loudon Road Loudonville, NY 12211-1462 CONTENT MANAGER AND EDITOR Carolyn Holthausen
AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader and Coordinator of Strategic Communications and Media Production GRAPHIC DESIGN Beatrice Jean
AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader and Coordinator of Public Relations and Special Projects
CONTENTS
Jennifer Hunt
4
New ACE Staff
PHOTOGRAPHY
5
Bonner/VISTA Showcase
9
2012-2013 VISTA Team
ACADEMIC COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STAFF
10
VISTA Fellows Reflections
12
Director for Academic Community Engagement, Associate Professor of Sociology and Environmental Studies
Bonner Service in Maine
15
Bonner Receives Prestigious Award
Assistant Director for Academic Community Engagement, Operations and Special Projects
18
Summer Service Scholars
Antonius “Tony” Rivera
21
ASL Faculty Spotlight
22
Youth Programs
Assistant Director for Academic Community Engagement, AmeriCorps VISTA Fellows
26
Partner Connections
Dr. Ruth Kassel
ACE Communications Consultant
Carolyn Holthausen Antonius “Tony” Rivera Ryan Gonnelly ‘14
Dr. Mathew Johnson ’93
Lori Barringer
Assistant Director for Academic Community Engagement, Bonner Service Leaders Yalitza Negron 08
ON THE COVER
A Civic Engagement camper practicing English with a refugee at Refugees & Immigrant Support Service of Emmaus, Inc. Photo taken by Ryan Gonnelly ’14. DEEP Service 2
Assistant Director for Academic Community Engagement, Academic Service Learning Professor John Harden, Esq.
Lecturer, First Year Seminar, Academic Coordinator for Academic Community Engagement April Risley ’12
Coordinator for Academic Community Engagement Quality Assurance and Youth Programs
SUMMER SERVICE SCHOLARS TAKE PARTICIPANTS TO RADIX ECOLOGICAL CENTER TO LEARN ABOUT URBAN SUSTAINABILITY
MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR The Fall 2012 issue of the DEEP Service Magazine is packed with community engagement highlights and stories from this summer and early fall. Summer is a busy time here with seasonal programs like the Summer Service Scholars program in session and yearly programs such as the Siena VISTA Fellows program closing out another year of service only to pick up again with a brand new group. You will not want to put down this issue of the magazine until you have read through it! I am excited to be the new Content Manager and Editor for the DEEP Service Magazine. Along with our new Graphic Designer, Beatrice Jean and supporting Graphic Designer Jennifer Hunt (formally Simek), our jobs are to find stories of community engagement in our local, national, and global communities and make sure they are told. We are grateful for the supporters of Academic Community Engagement programs. We are proud to present you the Fall 2012 issue and we thank all the people involved in the creation of this beautiful magazine.
The best way to find
yourself is to lose yourself
in the service of others. - Mahatma Gandhi
CAROLYN HOLTHAUSEN
AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader and Coordinator of Strategic Communications and Media Production DEEP Service 3
Academic Community Engagement News
ACE PRESENTS AT SIENA’S FALL VOLUNTEER SERVICE AND CLUB FAIR, INVITING STUDENTS TO BECOME ENGAGED IN LOCAL, NATIONAL, AND GLOBAL COMMUNITIES
ACE WELCOMES ANTONIUS “TONY” RIVERA AS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE BONNER SERVICE LEADERS PROGRAM ACE is proud to welcome Tony Rivera to the administrative team as Assistant Director of the Bonner Service Leaders Program. Tony is from New York City and went to college at SUNY Institute of Technology in Utica, NY, and from there he worked in the insurance industry, coached D-III women’s basketball, and has had 10 years of experience in higher education. Through all of his experiences Tony has had a passion for community based organizations, being that he was both an EOP DEEP Service 4
(Educational Opportunity Program) and CSTEP (Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program) student in college. The Bonner program gives him the opportunity to utilize his skills and knowledge to take the program to the next level. Before joining ACE, Tony was a Siena College Assistant Director of Admissions for four years. He focused on recruiting and adding a multicultural aspect to the campus. Tony hopes to influence and encourage Bonners students by bringing in speakers that talk about their real-world experiences. Tony says, “I’m excited to bring my energy. You have to keep them motivated and engaged.” Tony is a great addition to our team and we are excited to see the growth and development of the Bonner Service Leaders Program under his care.
SIENA BONNERS AND AMERICORPS VISTA FELLOWS MEET BY SHOWCASING THEIR ENERGY, PASSION AND TALENT BY MICHAEL GIOIA ’12
Siena VISTA Fellow The highly anticipated Siena College VISTA Bonner Showcase turned out to be a much enjoyed success. The event brought together students and working professionals alike, all of whom center their lives and work around serving the community they reside in. The event was the first opportunity for the new AmeriCorps VISTA cohort to meet new and returning Bonner Program students. During the event, VISTAs and Bonners worked collaboratively and competitively in a number of events ranging from a tricky spelling bee, to an energy-charged game of Pictionary, to the ultimate event - the talent show. The Norm of Siena College’s Serra Dining Hall was filled with high levels of fun and energy the entire night. Ruchi Gala, a VISTA working with 15-Love, an organization that functions by using the game of tennis to teach the game of life, said “[It] was a great opportunity to showcase not only our talent, but also our potential to come together and do something fun, something special.” The showcase was all of that and more. The success of this event is a testament to the success of Siena College’s VISTA and Bonner programs respectively. It shows just what could happen when compassionate, unique, and fun-loving people come together to bring levity to an otherwise serious undertaking - a year dedicated to service and community outreach amidst inevitable challenges. Although VISTAs and Bonners are placed at a number of sites in varying locations throughout the community, the Showcase was able to bring everyone together for an exciting and fun-filled night. DEEP Service 5
High-Impact Institute Comes to Siena This year, ACE lead the development of the Highprepare students for work, service, and practical Impact Initiative. The initiative brings together teams positive action. from participating campuses committed to working By the end of the conference, each team left with over multiple years to integrate highstronger workshop relationships and a impact educational practices with highsense of value for all team members as key Each team left with impact campus-community partnerships. movers of change on campus and in the stronger workshop This summer ACE held the first Highcommunity. Each team gained knowledge relationships and a sense Impact Initiative conference at Siena of and investment in the vision, purpose of value for all team College and 10-person teams from 9 and potential of the High-Impact colleges and universities attended, Initiative, as well as a complete draft plan, members as key movers including Stetson University (DeLand, of change on campus and vetted for feedback for year one, as well as Florida), Carson-Newman College appreciation for and a sense of in the community (Jefferson City, Tennessee), and St. Mary participation in the emerging national College (Moraga, California). As a result of learning community of the High-Impact this initiative, we hope that our effort will result in Initiative cohort and national partners. higher levels of student learning, campus-wide involvement, and community impact. This initiative To learn more about the High-Impact Institute, visit siena.edu/ touches upon Siena’s strategic plan to gain national ace and click on the High-Impact icon. Find information about recognition for experiential learning programs that the concept, participating schools, requirements, and much more. DEEP Service 6
DAKE FAMILY AND STEWART SHOP’S GIFT ACE WITH $600,000 FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUPPORTING AND FURTHERING THE DEVELOPMENT OF ACE PROGRAMS Each year, more than 200 students from our various programs, including high school students participating in our Civic Engagement Camp, create a financial impact of close to $3 million. Because of our high-impact work, the Dake Family and Stewart Shop’s gifted ACE with $600,000 for the purpose of supporting and furthering the development of our integrated, developmental, and capacity-building academic programs. In a recent Siena College video, ACE: Making Service the Signature of a Siena Education, Susan Dake said, “You got young talent who sees things in a totally different way and hopefully they can identify solutions that are not being practiced at this point in time, or enhance solutions that are in process.” Their generous support will make it possible for the ACE Community Fellows and Summer Gear Up programs to fund positions for interested participants, including 4 AmeriCorps VISTA Fellows positions and financial support for Bonners to return to campus two weeks early for the academic year in order to develop skills for their service. Director of Academic Community Engagement Dr. Mathew Johnson said, “Not only will this gift help us to consolidate and institutionalize the gains that we made over the past four years, but it will catalyze our growth moving forward.” We are grateful for the support of the Dake Family and Stewart’s Shops!
Academic Community Engagement Director Dr. Mathew Johnson appointed to Commission on National and Community Service Dr. Mathew Johnson, Director of Academic Community Engagement, has been appointed by New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo to the Commission on National and Community Service. “The New York Commission on National and Community Service was established in 1994 by an executive order of the Governor, and administers programs funded by the National Community Service Trust Act of 1993, including AmeriCorps State and AmeriCorps Education Awards programs.” Much like the Office of Academic Community Engagement at Siena College, the commission seeks to improve lives, strengthen communities and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering in NYS. The role of Dr. Johnson on this commission includes a grant monitoring and approval process as well as recommendations for funding of National Service Programs. November 20th, 2012 marks the annual New York State AmeriCorps kick off which the Siena College Office of Academic Community Engagement will be the sponsors of. This event invites AmeriCorps members, and alumni of all branches (VISTA, NCCC, State and National) to launch the service year by accomplishing service tasks that day at the Empire Plaza Convention Center in New York’s State Capital, Albany.
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Siena AmeriCorps VISTA Fellow News
WELCOME 2012-2013 SIENA AMERICORPS VISTA FELLOWS!
SAY GOODBYE, SAY HELLO We wish a happy farewell to our 2011-2012 Siena VISTA Cohort, especially our VISTA Leaders. They are an integral piece of the program as they are second year service members who recruit, interview, hire, train, and support VISTA Fellows during their service term. Our VISTA Leaders Jennifer, Ryan, and Victoria did an amazing job. Jennifer recently got married and is planning to go back to school in Digital Media Communications and Design. Ryan Rose ‘10 is pursuing his interests in social and environmental justice, and Victoria recently moved to Saratoga Springs to work at her alma mater Skidmore College. We are pleased to welcome our new VISTA Leaders Beatrice, Carolyn, and Lamara. Beatrice served her first AmeriCorps VISTA term at Capital Region Sponsor-a-Scholar and is now Coordinator of ACE DEEP Service 8
Public Relations and Special Projects. Lamara served her first VISTA year of service year in Sacramento, California and joins us this year as Coordinator of Training, Assessment, and National Connections. Carolyn’s first year of AmeriCorps VISTA was with Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region and this year she is joining the ACE office as Coordinator of Strategic Communications and Media Production. All three VISTA Leaders are beyond excited to make this service year amazing! At the end of July, the VISTA Program welcomed a brand new cohort of VISTA Fellows who are serving at a diverse range of service sites. They participated in a national service orientation with AmeriCorps VISTA in Philadelphia and then a week long On-Site Orientation Training at Siena before they started full-time at their sites in early August. We are pleased to welcome them to the ACE team!
SIENA VISTA FELLOWS & Partner Sites VISTA LEADERS LAMARA BURGESS
Office of Academic Community Engagement CAROLYN HOLTHAUSEN
Office of Academic Community Engagement BEATRICE JEAN
Office of Academic Community Engagement
VISTA FELLOWS ANNA BRADWAY ’11
Fr. Peter Young Housing, Industries, and Treatment JIMMY BULMER ’12
Brighter Choice Foundation FAITH BURNS
Albany Community Action Partnership NATHANIEL CHARBIT
St. John’s/St. Ann’s Outreach Center PETE CICHETTI
Siena Research Institute JUSTIN DEVENDORF ’12
Office of the Albany County District Attorney ODALINA DURAN (2ND YEAR VISTA)
Brighter Choice Middle School for Girls MONEE ENGLISH
Capital Region Sponsor-A-Scholar ASHLEY FARRELL
Fr. Peter Young Housing, Industries, and Treatment BRENNAN FRAZIER
Mediation Matters RUCHI GALA
15 Love
MICHAEL GIOIA ’12
Capital District YMCA: Troy Family Branch NATASHA GRANT (2ND YEAR VISTA)
Green Tech High Charter School MELANIE IANNACONE ’12
Hackett Middle School JOY LANDAS ’12
Commission on Economic Opportunity THOMAS LOMBARDI
Affordable Housing Partnership MARIE LOVATO
Albany Barn/Stage 1 CASEY MACKESEY
Unity House of Troy JOHAN MATTHEWS
Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region, Inc. POU MOK
Albany Leadership Charter High School for Girls NICOLE PASSANTE
Albany Leadership Charter High School for Girls EMILY PATKA
Mt. McGregor Correctional Facility JUSTINE ROSEN
Hackett Middle School MONICA STEANS
Boys and Girls Clubs of Albany KEVIN SULLIVAN
Siena College Bonner Service Leaders Program MAUREEN WHITCOMB
Office of the Albany County District Attorney AMANDA WILSON ’12 (3RD YEAR VISTA)
Green Tech High Charter School
visit siena.edu/ace for a complete LIST OF vista biographies! DEEP Service 9
ON THE CUSP OF CHANGE BY THOMAS LOMBARDI
Siena AmeriCorps VISTA Throughout its history, Sheridan Hollow has suffered the impacts of reckless land use. In the 19th century, the neighborhood was home to Albany’s manure heap and served as a dumping ground for communities on surrounding hills. In more recent times, Sheridan Hollow became the focus of an environmental justice debate between the neighborhood’s primarily poor minority residents and a garbage incineration plant on Sheridan Avenue. Between 1981 and 1994 the ANSWERS Plant burned 350 tons of waste every day, sending arsenic, lead, mercury and other pollutants into the air. After twelve years, the Plant’s garbage burning operations were terminated at the urging of concerned citizens. But a terrible legacy remained - of the 650 tax parcels in the neighborhood today, as many as 1 in 10 are potential brownfield sites impacted by real or potential toxins which hinder development. Unfortunately, Sheridan Hollow’s environmental history is but one of many challenges facing it. The current cost to maintain and rehabilitate housing in the neighborhood requires an investment that exceeds the market value of the property. Deterioration and abandonment result, with a housing vacancy rate of 35% (compared to a city wide rate of 17%). Consequently, the neighborhood is emptying out: while the 2010 Census showed an increase in the City of Albany’s population, Sheridan Hollow experienced an 11% decrease. And because 48% of Sheridan
Hollow residents have incomes below poverty level, renters make up 89% of all residents. These renters are highly transitory, with some blocks experiencing turnover rates (over a five year period) as high as 70%. To put it simply, economic disinvestment has resulted in neglected vacant lots, dangerous sidewalks, and deteriorating, uninhabitable housing. The neighborhood’s environmental history adds to these the challenge of rehabilitating contaminated brownfield sites. But there is hope. The Affordable Housing Partnership of the Capital Region, Inc. has partnered with the City of Albany on a three-phase planning project made possible by the NYS Department of State and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. With the input and participation of community partners and neighborhood residents, the Sheridan Hollow Opportunity Area project will hopefully enact much needed change in a forgotten corner of Albany. Strategic goals of the project include: • Environmental cleanup of brownfield sites • Reuse of vacant and underutilized buildings • Rehab/repair resources for existing and future homeowners • Job creation • Improved social capital and opportunities for community connections • Bike/pedestrian-friendly streetscapes If you would like to learn more about the Sheridan Hollow Opportunity Area project, visit the Affordable Housing Partnership’s website at http://ahphome.org/alliance/shoa.htm.
VISTA FELLOWS BUILD CAMARADERIE BY ENJOYING LOCAL FESTIVITIES together LIKE THE ALTAMONT APPLE AND WINE FESTIVAL, LARK FEST, AND LATIN FEST DEEP Service 10
The course will focus on teaching the girls of Albany Leadership the necessary life
MEDIATION MATTERS: COMMUNITY DISPUTE RESOLUTION BY BRENNAN FRAZIER
skills that will allow them to
Siena AmeriCorps VISTA
lead financially independent
Mediation Matters is a community dispute resolution center that serves Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Warren, and Washington Counties. The majority of cases received are related to family issues, such as disputes between parents or between a parent and child, but any kinds of disputes can be mediated, including civil and business. Its newest program, Community Reentry Mediation, helps the formerly incarcerated and their families plan for successful reentry into the community. Mediation is a conversation between two parties in conflict, guided by a mediator, with the goal of finding a “win-win” solution to their conflict. The three central tenets of mediation: confidentiality, neutrality, and voluntariness. By adhering to these, a “safe space” is formed where everyone can freely express themselves. The mediator’s role is to listen to, draw out, and acknowledge each participant’s perspective, emotions, and needs. They do not judge, take sides, advise, or make suggestions. The participants, who know themselves and the conflict better than an outside party, are responsible for what goes into the final agreement. In many cases, the alternative to mediation is the legal system, which is public and adversarial. Alternatively, mediation is private and collaborative. It allows disputants to speak openly and relationships to be preserved after the resolution (especially important for families). The benefits of mediation also spread throughout the community: it removes cases from the overburdened court system and resolves them faster and at less cost. Mediation does not promise to revolutionize the current legal system or lead us to a conflict-free world. Its simple but important recognition is that not all disputes are appropriate for the court system, that people and families can solve their conflicts themselves if given the chance.
lives.
- BY NICOLE PASSANTE
COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS PROGRAM COORDINATOR BY NICOLE PASSANTE
Siena AmeriCorps VISTA My role at Albany Leadership is the Financial Literacy Program Coordinator and, recently added, the College and Career Readiness Program Coordinator, two areas that are vital to the success of every individual attending school today. As the Financial Literacy Program Coordinator my main responsibility is to develop a course that will become a graduation requirement for every girl who attends the school. The course will focus on teaching the girls of Albany Leadership the necessary life skills that will allow them to lead financially independent lives. As the College and Career Readiness Program Coordinator my goal is to create a sustainable program that educates students on the various career paths available to them as well as introducing the expectation of college throughout their high school careers. Students will participate in this program beginning in their freshman year and will continue the learning process through their senior year. They will participate in career exploration and the college search and selection process, in which they will be educated on the opportunities and best options accessible to them. As I continue my VISTA assignment it is my hope to lay the foundation for these two programs by the end of my term that will better equip the girls of Albany Leadership with the knowledge and information necessary to make their greatest dreams a reality.
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Siena Bonner Service Leaders News
Understanding Rural Poverty in Maine and Canada RISING SOPHOMORE SIENA BONNER SERVICE LEADERS TRAVEL TO MAINE AND CANADA TO UNDERSTAND FIRST HAND RURAL POVERTY AND ROOT CAUSES BY ADDERLIN TAVERAS ’15
Siena student, Bonner Service Leader This past August, seven of my fellow freshmen (class of 2015) Bonners and I went on the First Year Service Trip to Presque Isle, Maine. I did not know what to expect, since traditionally it is kept a mystery as to what we would be doing during the trip. It was an experience I would not trade and I am happy I was able to be part of the journey. Although my Bonner classmates are all good friends with each other and we all thought that we were at a comfortable level with one another, we all definitely bonded and became closer knit than we were before the trip. It built our sense of community within each other and we really got to know Dr. Johnson and Tony Rivera, the new Director of the Bonner Program. I learned more about my Bonner class in this trip than I did my whole freshman year. While we learned about one another, we also came to appreciate many things we never gave second thought. I became more aware of other social issues that many people in the country do not give much consideration to. The team building we took part of, the interns and supervisors who took time out of their summer to join us, and the people we met through the journey all made this trip an unforgettable one. It is a learning experience that I will cherish. To learn more about the Siena Bonner Service Leaders visit siena.edu/bonner. DEEP Service 12
“I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.” - ALBERT SCHWEITZER
“I cannot disclose too much but for me personally, it was life changing. Being from an inner city area and seeing that my struggles growing up were no different from rural Maine, it was absolutely life changing. - TONY RIVERA, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, BONNER SERVICE LEADERS
I’d like to think that although I am only one college student, without much knowledge and perspective about all the angles of our society who cannot do much of anything at the time, one day maybe I may be able to make a difference. When faced with a decision to make, I hope I can look back at what I learned here this week and think of those I encountered when making those decisions. - ANANDA BRINKMANN ’13 (2010 SERVICE TRIP) DEEP Service 13
Welcome Bonner CLASS OF 2016! KATHLEEN BENDER
JESSICA MURPHY
TESSA BISKUP
JESSICA GUTHRIE
COLIN SCHERFF
MONIQUE JENKINSON
MEGHAN VREELAND ELIZABETH RAMIEREZ
BRITTANY DROLLETTE GENESIS SALDANA
CARLOS MERCADO ELAINY RODRIGUEZ
SHAE-LEIGH PAPARELLA-VOORHEES
BONNERS REPORT TO CAMPUS FOR ORIENTATION AS FALL SEMESTER BEGINS With the beginning of the new academic year, the Siena College Bonner Service Leaders welcomed a new Freshman cohort to the Bonner family. They arrived on August 25th to participate in five days of Bonner orientation before they would have to attend the general orientation for entire Freshman class. In addition to the seventeen new students to the program, eight current Bonner Leaders, led by Jacquie Lennon ’13, to facilitate, train, and introduce the Bonners to what it means to be a Bonner Service Leader. Over the course of the Orientation, the new Bonners participated in a number of different activities as part of their Bonner Orientation. During the first days of the orientation, the students were introduced to the general aspects of the program and the college, such as learning about the Bonner Program and its history, DEEP Service, and the Franciscan Tradition. On the third day, the students participated in a service event with the Peter Young Foundation in which they had a field day with the children from the Schuyler Inn. Following this the Bonners met with their site supervisors to go be introduced to their sites and go over their placements. The Bonners then returned to the Schuyler Inn to have dinner with Father Peter Young. To end the Orientation, the Bonners participated in a ropes course and trip to Howe Caverns for some time to do some Bonner bonding and relax after their four intense days of Bonner Orientation. The Office of ACE then held a ceremony in which the new Bonners were fully inaugurated into the Program as the Siena College Bonner Service Leader Class of 2016. DEEP Service 14
BONNERS AT SIENA
Every academic year, Bonners participate in professional and issue-based awareness trainings. Here is a highlight of Fall 2012 trainings: HUNGER AND FOOD ACCESS IN ALBANY CONFLICT RESOLUTION MOCK SPEED INTERVIEWING RESUME WRITING 101 SUICIDE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE TIME MANAGEMENT
SIENA BONNER SERVICE LEADER ANANDA BRINKMANN ’13 RECEIVES VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD BY CAROLYN HOLTHAUSEN
Siena AmeriCorps VISTA Leader Siena Bonner Ananda Brinkmann ’13 received the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Capital City Rescue Mission in Albany, NY. Ananda is a Biology major and Multicultural Studies minor and has served at the Rescue Mission since spring of 2011. She is the youngest person ever to receive this award. While at the Rescue Mission as a Bonner Service Leader, Ananda serves in the clinic and takes vitals, patient histories and other health related tasks. She also teaches patients how to better care for themselves, in order to decrease their dependence on the clinic. Her service brings necessary medical attention and care to the underprivileged in the community. Ananda has served more than 1500 hours as a Bonner Service Leader here at Siena and will graduate this May having served more than 1800 hours. From Ulster Park, NY, Ananda has been accepted into the Albany Medical College Physician’s Assistants program with a G.P.A. of 3.6 from Siena College.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
BONNERS IN THE COMMUNITY This year Bonners are serving a variety of Capital Region Partners doing a range of community engagement projects. Here are their partners: GIRL SCOUTS COUNCIL OF NORTH EASTERN NEW YORK NORTH ALBANY ACADEMY GIRL SCOUT TROOP ACE TRAILBLAZERS BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF ALBANY PETER YOUNG HOUSING, INDUSTRIES, AND TREATMENT ST. PETER’S HEALTH PARTNERS INTERFAITH PARTNERSHIP FOR THE HOMELESS SIENA COLLEGE DAMIETTA CROSS CULTURAL CENTER PARSONS CHILD AND FAMILY CENTER BRIGHTER CHOICE MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR GIRLS GREEN TECH HIGH CHARTER SCHOOL ALBANY LEADERSHIP CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL CAPITAL CITY RESCUE MISSION FREE CLINIC DEEP Service 15
OPPORTUNITIES BOTH PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY OPEN MY EYES TO THE NEED FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
BEING A BONNER IS HARD WORK BUT I GAIN VALUABLE FRIENDSHIPS AND LIFE SKILLS WHILE HELPING OTHERS
BY TIMOTHY GOLDEN ’13
BY TESSA BISKUP ’16
Siena student, ACE Program Associate
Siena student, Bonner Service Leader
My experience in the Bonner Program has been the most rewarding experience of my college career. It has not only provided me with great personal growth, but it has also allowed me to see the ability to make a positive difference in the community of which I am a part. As a Bonner Service Leader at Siena College, I serve in the Office of Academic Community Engagement as the Program Associate of Logistics and Policy Research. While I do not actually serve in the community, I do provide support to the rest of the Bonners by helping them in a number of different capacities. Additionally, I also help to coordinate community-based research initiatives on campus by working with faculty and students on different projects that range across the different academic disciplines. This research typically involves researching and addressing systemic issues of social injustice in the Albany region and what local, state, and national policies might be. Through this research, solutions to these issues can be developed and possibly implemented. I have also have the opportunity to be president of the Souper Sandwich Club for the past two years. This club has provided over 3,000 meals for FOCUS Churches, which runs hunger relief programing in downtown Albany. Being a senior now, I find myself reflecting on why I am a Bonner. I see the impact I have both in the community and in the program. I love the work I do and I love the people I work with.
When I explain that I am a Bonner (meaning that I signed up to complete 900 hours of community service over the course of two years) I am often asked, “ Why?” There is no simple explanation; ever since childhood I would have conversations where I was asked, “What do you want to do when you grow up?” My answer was always, “Help people.” Bonner is the perfect way to accomplish this. Bonner is about giving yourself to the community and expecting no reward. Coming to school for Bonner orientation a few days early we gained lifelong Bonner friends. Once school started, we began developing relationships with our service sites. Growing up in inner city schools in Chicago, I have always been fascinated by schooling and so I jumped at the chance to work at Green Tech High Charter School. At Green Tech, my VISTA and I are working to create a community service club to ensure that students complete 100 service hours (required to receive a diploma) before graduation. Meanwhile through Bonner meetings, I have met upperclassmen Bonners. They act as mentors, guiding us through the more complicated aspects of Bonner life. Being a Bonner means sacrificing the free time available to many college students; taking on daunting tasks; following them through; having perseverance. Despite this, we continue because of relationships forged and skills learned. Bonners, site supervisors, VISTAS, and those that we serve are people we know we can depend on, furthermore, our Bonner family.
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Halloween Extravaganza a “Spooktacular” Success 400
STUDENTS VOLUNTEERED
350
FAMILIES ATTENDED
30
CLUBS FACILITATED ACTIVITIES
8
COMMUNITY PARTNERS PARTICIPATED
Over $1,400 Raised The recipient of this year’s Halloween Extravaganza 8 funds went to local nonprofit Fr. Peter Young Housing, Industries, and Treatment
MAKING A DIFFERENCE AS OUTREACH AND RECRUITMENT TEAM MEMBER WITH THE GIRL SCOUTS OF NORTHEASTERN NEW YORK COUNCIL BY KATE BENDER ’16
Siena student, Bonner Service Leader I am currently serving at the Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York Council (GSNENY) as part of their Outreach and Recruitment team. As a marketing major my role at Girl Scouts allows me to work on BEDS (Basic Education Data System) Reports, Market Share Analysis, and monitoring troop and girl retention rates. These tasks that are a part of my service are directly related to the work that I will be doing in the marketing field. As a member of the Quad-Cities regions of GSNENY we strive to get at risk girls involved in girl scouting in order to allow
The Siena Bonner Service Leaders coordinated the eighth Halloween Extravaganza with student volunteers, clubs, and partner participating to give parents and their children’s an exciting afternoon of pumpkin painting and carving, mummy wrapping, and Halloween inspired games. Originally planned and organized by former student, now Assistant Director of Academic Community Engagement, AmeriCorps VISTA, Yalitza Negron ’08, this event has become an annual tradition that many look forward to. A big thank you goes out to the Halloween Committee and sponsors who helped make this event possible. Join us for Halloween Extravaganza 9, October 26, 2013!
them a safe community full of people who will help to empower them and teach them how to become leaders and advocates in their own communities. Another aspect of my service is being the girl scout leader to a mixed Seniors and Ambassadors troop (high school) from Albany Leadership Charter School. Together they are identifying an issue that their school and community face and figuring out how they can advocate for it. They are currently working on a proposal to present to their Dean in order to host an Anti-Bullying Event at the end of the school year. This project is completely girl-led; my only role is teaching them how they can accomplish their own goals while being a role model and trustworthy adult that they are able to come to with any problems. I became a Bonner because I wanted to make a difference. I want to help people both locally and internationally and make my own mark on the world no matter how small. DEEP Service 17
Community Engaged Learning News
Summer Community Engagement Projects Give Scholars a Meaningful Hands-on Experience SIENA SUMMER SERVICE SCHOLARS PROGRAM GIVES STUDENTS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN THROUGH EXPERIENCES Siena Summer Service Scholars is an academic internship program in which participants take ADTV499 "Internship in Sustainable Community Change." This course combines the study of the root causes of poverty and best practices in community development with hands-on and behind the scenes nonprofit immersion experiences. This summer, the Summer Service Scholars participated in professional development training at Siena, which helped develop the confidence needed to go out in the community and make a difference. A requirement of the program was to participate in academic and career building activities. Nonprofit professionals, faculty, and students assisted with these activities, giving participants valuable a network of people to access during their service terms. Every year, these positions are funded by AmeriCorps (direct service) or AmeriCorps VISTA (indirect service). Our indirect service positions call for dedicated individuals to do behind-the-scenes work that builds capacity of an organization and develops systems to increase sustainability. Participants often do DEEP Service 18
computer work, like developing or managing databases, planning events, or building a volunteer program. Our direct service positions are funded by AmeriCorps and these are hands-on positions that involve working directly with the population seeking support from the organization. Participants often are in charge of tutoring a child, developing healthy living gardens with kids, leading an arts education program, and more. Summer Service Scholar positions are open to undergraduate students and take place during the summer months for 10 weeks, which translates to a minimum of 6-7 hours a day. Â For this internship, students have the option to earn 3 transferable credits from Siena College. This summer, each Summer Service Scholar AmeriCorps VISTA participant received a stipend of $1,854.00. At the start of their term, they had the option of choosing between an end-of-service stipend or an educational award to be applied to any qualifying student loan or tuition. Each Summer Service Scholar AmeriCorps participant received an educational award of $1,172.00 to be applied to any qualifying student loan or tuition. To learn more about what our Summer Service Scholars and how to get involved, visit our website at siena.edu/ace. Also, check out projects done in previous years.
Partners & Projects 15-LOVE
Service Scholars Retina Bethea and Evelina Bien-Aime helped develop a Healthy Living Program which currently teaches children about healthy living and eating. BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF ALBANY
Service Scholars Lauren Castellana, Vincent Sepe and Deanna Danzy helped develop a curriculum for a 7-week summer camp for children. INTERFAITH PARTNERSHIP FOR THE HOMELESS
Service Scholar Deidre Dumpson enhanced case management and human services at the Sheridan Hollow Drop-In Center. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Service Scholar Monee English assisted in building effective communication and outreach strategies. SIENA COLLEGE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT CAMP
Service Scholars Michelle Ferdinand, Martha Mortensen, and Jamie Stacey were camp counselors who taught participants about what it takes to be a social justice leader. TRINITY ALLIANCE THE CAPITAL REGION, INC.
Service Scholar Haejin Hwang created events and trainings for healthy living and implemented a mentoring program for young boys in the South End of Albany. ALBANY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
Service Scholar Lensa Jotte created new partnerships and designed a training and programming calendar. YMCA: TROY FAMILY BRANCH
Service Scholar Christine Laurentiev developed programming to help students who attend the YMCA be prepared to enter college. RADIX ECOLOGICAL CENTER
Service Scholar Evan Peter taught students the importance of sustainability and current environmental issues. MUSIC MOBILE
Service Scholar Katrina Ryan developed educational and cultural activities related to poverty and powerlessness. DEEP Service 19
Strengthening Communities and Forging Unforgettable Connections: A Personal Reflection BY HAEJIN HWANG
Sophomore at Cornell University, Summer Service Scholar I was matched with Trinity Alliance, a provider of a multitude of services ranging from Race to 10,000, a program for parents and their children to help increase their children’s vocabulary, to Family Support and Prevention. While I knew that Trinity offered an amazing amount of programs to its community members, I didn’t truly understand the value of Trinity’s services until I was a Siena Summer Service Scholar working in Trinity’s Family and Neighborhood Resource Center (FNRC) this past summer. Before my time at Trinity, I had always driven past Trinity Place to get to the museum, the Empire State Plaza, or Washington Park. To be honest, I was unfamiliar with the South End community before my time at Trinity, and was unsure about how to adapt, learn, and present myself. Also, I had never worked at a nonprofit before so I was a little uneasy, but eager to explore the community, Trinity, and the relationship between the two. My first day at Trinity was a blur: I was overwhelmed but also exhilarated by the number of programs Trinity harbored. Moreover, I met so many passionate and devoted people who loved what they were doing. Trinity was almost like an extended family that welcomed all newcomers and truly wanted to help its community members and even fellow co-workers.
Most of the workers and volunteers at Trinity knew each other, helped each other, and even knew all the kids who were in the after school program! The amount of care each person I met had invested in others was incredible. I was amazed at the interconnectedness of everyone at Trinity and I felt so blessed to work in a friendly and comfortable environment. As I developed a small mentoring program through the FNRC called the Trinity Brotherhood, I had wonderful opportunities to interact with the mentees who were really smart and good kids as well as the mentors who were esteemed men and paradigms of leadership and support in the community. Additionally, I had the chance to work with several community partners who were continuously dedicated toward improving education, providing more facilities and resources, and strengthening the community as a whole. During that summer, I found out firsthand just how alive and strong the community was and how determined it was in working together. Trinity was so much more than I had imagined. I realized that each volunteer, community member, child, and worker could make a difference in the community with persistence and a welcoming personality. I have also made some unforgettable connections with some of the children and adults there so thank you so much Siena and Trinity for this memorable experience.
“Trinity was so much more than I had imagined.
I realized that each volunteer, community member, child, and worker could make a difference in the community with persistence and a welcoming personality.” DEEP Service 20
- HAEJIN HWANG
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT Tim E. Cooper III, PhD, Assistant Professor of History Q: How did your class and the community partner collaborate?
A: The Albany County Historical Association (ACHA) worked with our class to produce four oral history project reports about the Ten Broeck Mansion (TBM) and its place in the hearts and minds of ACHA members over the years. The ACHA opened the doors of TBM to our class, and several members shared their experiences woking with the ACHA in various capacities. Students produced a variety of presentations based on the interviews, images, and historical data they collected during the first part of the semester, including interactive web sites and video documentaries. Q: What was the reaction from your students? How do students react to working with a community partner?
Since the course focuses on collecting the oral histories of Vietnam veterans, some students initially wondered why we were working with our partners at TBM. However, as we had hoped, the experience that students gained while working with the ACHA provided valuable knowledge and important skills that
have prepared them for interviewing veterans. Students were able to address many of the technical and logistical challenges involved in conducting oral history before meeting with veteran volunteers. Q: How has this experience affected your teaching? What are your next steps?
The partnerships that Ruth and the ACE office helped me build—both on and off of campus—have convinced me of the power of collaboration to provide richer, more beneficial learning experiences for my students than I otherwise would have been able to provide on my own. Looking forward, I have already begun speaking with several faculty members about partnerships that can enrich the students' learning experience on campus. I'm confident that we will be able to sustain our working relationship with ACHA, and that it will open the door to many more opportunities for Siena students to benefit from our partnership. Q: What advice do you have for faculty who are interested in working with a community partner?
Trust the folks in the ACE office! I had a difficult time imagining who our class might partner with and how we might help them. Ruth said, "Once you get in there and meet face-to-face, the whole relationship will become much clearer," and she was right. She as a great instinct for putting people together, and I'm so glad I let her lead the way when I wasn't sure of what I could or should do. DEEP Service 21
Siena Youth Programs News
Civic Engagement Camp Participants Meet Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings As part of the summer camp, the students were invited to meet with the Mayor of Albany, Jerry Jennings, to discuss his, as well as their, initiatives involving community building, education, sustainability and the relationship between forprofits and nonprofits. Afterwards the students were given a tour of the Capitol. "Because with the young people, their eyes open up and they see some things from a different perspective, they also know they can be very beneficial to the communities and volunteering so it's a great program," said Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT CAMP GOES TO REFUGEE IMMIGRANT AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO WORK WITH REFUGEES LEARNING ENGLISH
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THE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT CAMP INVITES HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO BE ENGAGED CITIZENS WHILE EMBARKING ON A WEEK LONG LEARNING ADVENTURE BY CAROLYN HOLTHAUSEN
Siena AmeriCorps VISTA Leader The Civic Engagement Camp is a 3 week camp which brings over 40 students from surrounding areas ranging from Ballston Spa to Bethlehem and Green Tech Charter High School, ages 13 through 18. Ryan Gonnelly ’13 was able to accomplish a lot of the planning and return this summer as a camp counselor. Partners this year included Radix Ecological Center, 15-Love, Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless, and RISSE (Refugees & Immigrants Support Services of Emmaus, Inc.). From July 9th to July 27th high school students were engaged in all kinds of projects serving the community. Their projects are based on the ‘Problem Based Service Learning Model’, where students are given a tour of the community, as well as the community partner’s facility and then at the end of the day are asked, ‘What’s the problem?’. “This learning model allows students to take ownership of the program, because they see exactly what a community needs, and they cultivate the answer to that problem,” stated April Risley ’12. While working with RISSE, the students realized refugees needed help navigating Albany. As a result, the students created alternative board games to help refugees learn English, such as Guess Who, while using individuals that a refugee might see often such as a firefighter, police officer, and teacher to name a few. With 15-Love, the students created a Public Service Announcement that was recorded and aired on 88.6 WVCR, the Saint, Siena’s radio station. With Radix Ecological Center, students created a list of places that Radix could place advertisements. An important partnership initiated with Capital Region Sponsor-a-Scholar and the Civic Engagement Camp this summer. Their mission is "…to assist economically disadvantaged young men and women to graduate from high school and attend college." This summer, for every 1 student Sponsor-a-Scholar supports to go to the Camp, the Civic Engagement Camp will match 1 student from Sponsor-aScholar as well! Assistant Director of ACE, April Risley ’12 commented on the partnership “is a great opportunity for many kids who are looking for some community service hours.”
Siena College Girl Scout Troop 1430 The Siena College Girl Scout troop 1430 is completely student run and 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of The Girl Scouts of America! The ACE Girl Scouts Program invites Siena College students to engage girls from the North Albany Academy Community by partnering with the school as well as the Girl Scout The SienaCouncil of student led Girl Northeastern New Scout Program is York. The Sienastudent led Girl the only one of Scout Program is the its kind in the only one of its kind nation as well as in the nation as well as one of the largest one of the largest troops with over 80 troops with over girls committed to weekly meetings. 80 girls This year the troop committed to was able to hold a weekly meetings. pre-registration opportunity which registered about 40 girls for the troop. Normally, registration consists of 80 girls all at once, since they were able to hold a pre-register event, it lightened the load tremendously and made for a smooth transition. In celebration of the Girl Scouts celebrating 100 years, the troop went camping in May of this year, and had an absolute blast! DEEP Service 23
Alumni Spotlight
John DeCirce ’11 is an alumnus of the AmeriCorps VISTA Fellows program from the 2011-2012 cohort and served his term at Hope 7 Community Center, a 501(c) 3 in Troy, NY. Q: Hello John, thank you for taking the time to talk with me today, so where are you now and what got you there?
A: Well, I’m in a couple of different places, but the simplest answer is Detroit, Michigan at the University of Michigan, Dearborn. I started as a Bonner Service Leader at Siena, and that is what showed me I wanted to do work in the nonprofit field. Then, AmeriCorps VISTA solidified what I specifically wanted to do in the field that being to help the youth. I was looking to gain experience professionally in what I wanted to do because I wanted to have some solid skills, like fundraising and managing a food pantry. That led me to the Masters Program here, with a DEEP Service 24
focus on Public Administration but the key is the public sector and nonprofit organizations. I also have an internship with the Macomb County Care House, where they do interviews and child advocacy for kids who claim child abuse. The kids will only have to be interviewed once, because the sheriff, prosecutor, counselor and staff is there listening via a speaker and video system as the child is being interviewed, that way the child does not have to relive the experience every time they retell their story, and after that the Care House staff offers counseling. I did this internship because I wanted to explore a new area of service that I hadn’t been exposed to before. A lot of the skills I learned in VISTA translate well over to here, in VISTA I was able to take on a lot of responsibility, and at first, my internship was only letting me do data entry and answer phones. I said to them, “I’m here to work, let me do more,” and now I have a large
range of tasks, I update cases, and I’m also working on their website, and it has really worked out so far. Q: So would you say that VISTA catapulted you into the work you are doing now?
A: “Bonner got me to know I wanted to help people, but VISTA is what showed me what group I want to help, and that is youth and child advocacy”. Q: And after grad school, and your internship, what is your dream?
A: Hopefully I’ll find something during, and I’ve become to realize that I want to work in the department of education here, because compared to New York, Michigan has so many more problems in the education system below college. I would just love to get the opportunity to work in the Department of Ed to reform the education system. continued on next page....
Have you participated in a long-term service program?
We want to hear from you! The Siena College Office of Academic Community Engagement is interested in forming an Alumni Affinity Service Group to connect alumni (including family and friends) who have participated in long-term domestic, international and religiously affiliated service program to the College. If you would like to stay informed about service at Siena, connect with other alumni and students in service learning and/or share your experiences, please email alumni@siena.edu or call (518) 783-2430.
Q: Would you recommend VISTA?
A: I would recommend VISTA - it gives you the opportunity to find the passion, to see if you really want to work in the field, and it definitely is more in depth than an internship. The Siena Program specifically is great because of the support from the VISTA Leaders, the staff, and the overall cohort; there aren’t many other programs like it. But, most of all I would recommend it for people to find what they’re passionate about. Q: About your internship with the Care House, did you feel more or less prepared? What has been one of the best moments so far?
A: Most recently, my director told me that she appreciates my input, and the other day in one of my human resources classes, we had a discussion on motivation - to motivate employees - but a lot of the students were seeing the question through eyes that see jobs as something you have to do. [And] when I was at Hope 7,
when I finally got a thank you from Phyllis when I got a grant from Equinox - that approval - it’s huge. It’s a reassurance that I’m in the right area; I’m going the right way. So when you are doing both grad school and an internship, it’s nice things like that that give you energy. Q: So what are your thoughts about your program in grad school, did you feel more or less prepared with VISTA under your belt?
A: I asked myself that a few times as I started my classes, “Did I learn a lot in VISTA that would put me ahead,” and I think it really depends on the professor, it depends on the grad school. Managing humans is so complicated, because we’re humans, and my program is meant for those already in the field, and so you hear so many different points of view in class. People are saying real life experiences. From my time at Hope 7, I am also able to contribute because I have
experienced every single version of an employee: work study students, counselors, colleagues, co-workers, and it’s great because drawing on experience is such a fundamental part of VISTA. It really helps going into the classroom - but I would advise don’t think too much about your experience and listen to the experience of others, one of my professors said it best, “you come to grad school to learn how to learn.” There isn’t always a textbook that will teach you. So, VISTA really asks the question ‘do you really want to do this?’ and it opens that door.
Are you an alumnus or alumna of an Office of Academic Community Engagement program? Email our editor with your news and be featured in a future DEEP Service Magazine. DEEP Service 25
Campus-Community Connections
“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” - HENRY FORD ATTENTION STUDENTS: BECOME A BOARD MEMBER OR PARTICIPATE IN IMPORTANT COMMUNITY RESEARCH WITH THE COMMUNITY JUSTICE OUTREACH CENTER BY MAUREEN WHITCOMB
Siena AmeriCorps VISTA Are you looking to volunteer and give back to your community? Would you like to do a research project through an Independent Study this semester? These opportunities can be accomplished by working with the Reverend John U. Miller Community Justice Outreach Center in Albany. Most people living in Albany County are well aware of the Office of the Albany County District Attorney. However, fewer know about their satellite office, the Community Justice Outreach Center, which provides vital community justice programming to residents living in Albany County. In sum, the Community Justice Outreach Center seeks to DEEP Service 26
pro-actively address public safety concerns, solve community justice issues, and enhance the quality of life for community members. The Center is located in the Arbor Hill neighborhood of Albany, offering these vital services to some of Albany County’s most underprivileged residents. The Center is currently recruiting volunteer Board members for its Community Accountability Board (CAB). CAB provides an alternative to traditional criminal justice responses to crime such as jail time or fines, and focuses on repairing the damage done unto victims of crime, including the community. Interested volunteers must fill out an application, attend a CAB training, and observe three CAB sessions. Becoming a Board member empowers you to help repair harm done to victims and your community, while keeping offenders from re-offending. If you are interested in becoming a Board member and helping to transform offenders through community service and meaningful dialogue please contact Maureen Whitcomb at maureen.whitcomb@albanycounty
.com to receive an application and further information. The Center is also looking for Siena students interested in taking an Independent Study this semester to conduct research. The purpose of the research project would be to determine, address, and solve the issues keeping offenders from completing their court mandated Community Service and Community Accountability Board tasks. Once these issues have been determined and addressed, students will assist in instituting possible solutions in regard to potential factors such as Office procedures or practices, as well as outside non-Office related factors. This research will be of vital importance to the effectiveness of the Community Justice Outreach Center in our services to offenders and our community. If you are interested in this Independent Study research project and would like to receive a copy of the proposal, please contact Cheryl Buff, the Director of the Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity at cbuff@siena.edu.
SIENA COLLEGE AND MT. MCGREGOR CORRECTIONAL FACILITY FORGE A RELATIONSHIP THROUGH AMERICORPS VISTA PARTNERSHIP BY EMILY PATKA
Siena AmeriCorps VISTA I was more ambivalent than excited when I discovered my VISTA site was Siena’s college program at Mt. McGregor Correctional Facility, but my ambivalence and anxiety evaporated as soon as I met the incarcerated students. It was easy to forget the green jumpsuits and razor wire while speaking to them about their experiences in the program. They spoke enthusiastically of their newfound love of learning, how grateful they are for Siena College’s presence, and how badly they want to pursue their education. When asked what they would change about the program, their only request was more classes. Similarly, every faculty member who has generously volunteered their time to teach a course at Mt. McGregor speaks enthusiastically about their experiences. They are awed
by the dedication and focus that the incarcerated students demonstrate, easily remaining engaged and enthusiastic for 3 or 4 hours at a time. Their focus is genuinely on learning, not just getting a passing grade and some free credits. They want to improve themselves, and they take the opportunity to take Siena College classes very seriously. Working on this program has reaffirmed my belief in the power of education. Many of the incarcerated students say taking classes in such subject areas as Marketing, Social Work, and Economics has changed how they view the world and themselves; they are more able to think critically about their lives, their decisions, and the forces affecting all of us. I have witnessed this genuine enthusiasm for learning within the walls of Mt. McGregor, and it is the fuel that keeps me going when I meet challenges and obstacles, of which there are many when working within the prison system and without a budget. I am looking forward to continuing to do all I can to expand and sustain this transformative program. To learn more about ACE campus-community partnerships visit our website at siena.edu/ace.
WVCR 88.3 The Saint Change Makers Be our guest! We invite local, regional, national, and global community members who are making a difference in their communities. Come in person or call in the studio for an interview with our lovely cohosts, Assistant Director of ACE Yalitza Negron ’08 and Siena Student and Bonner Service Leader Millie Condon ’15. Contact our Change Makers Manager and Siena AmeriCorps VISTA Leader, Beatrice Jean, at bjean@siena.edu to be a guest on the show!
Recent Guest List Harris Oberlander Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region, Inc Amy Ellis Honest Weight Food Co-Op Carly Capitula Brighter Choice Foundation Bill Corbett Capital Region Sponsor-A-Scholar Diane Cameron Unity House of Troy, Inc. Michelle Bowen Albany Community Action Partnership DEEP Service 27
In the Next Issue SIENA AMERICORPS VISTA RECRUITMENT
January marks the start of the new Siena VISTA Fellows Recruitment season. Our VISTA Leaders embark on a local area college outreach tour, looking for the next passionate and dedicated individuals to join the team for a year of rewarding anti-poverty community engagement work. MID YEAR RETREAT
The Mid Year Retreat brings together our two biggest programs, the Siena Bonner Service Leaders and the Siena AmeriCorps VISTA Fellows programs, for a weekend of rejuvenation and skills-based learning to kick start the second half of the academic year. ACE VIDEO SHOWCASE
Stay tuned for one of our biggest events of the year, the Siena ACE Video Showcase, featuring short films about community-based issues and organizations in the Capital Region of New York.
PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN IN BOLIVIA DURING A TRAVEL COURSE “RURAL SUSTAINABILITY IN LATIN AMERICA” TAUGHT BY DR. JOHNSON ’93
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