meet the '10-'11 siena college americorps*vista fellows

8/8/2019 Meet the '10-'11 Siena College AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellows

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M E E T T H E 2 0 1 0 S I E N A V I S T A F E L L O W S

CSA Siena College VISTA Fellows Program

Thirty-seven million Americans live in

overty. Through AmeriCorps*VISTA, theFCSA Siena College AmeriCorps*VISTA

Program works with post-graduate

rofessionals to combat poverty and

make a tangible difference in the Capital

Region. Using their knowledge and skills,

hey help those in disadvantaged

ircumstances turn their dreams into

eality.

AmeriCorps*VISTA is a national serviceprogram designed specifically to fightpoverty. Founded as Volunteers inService to America in 1965 andncorporated into the AmeriCorps

network of programs in 1993, VISTA haseen on the front lines in the fightgainst poverty for more than 40 years.

Within the Franciscan Center for Servicend Advocacy, the Office of Academic

Community Engagement houses theSiena College AmeriCorps*VISTA

Fellows Program (SCVFP) which is a

post-graduatenational volunteer serviceprogram. Funded through a partnershipwith the Corporation for National andCommunity Service, the SCFVP fightspoverty in the Capital Region bybuilding the capacity of community-based organizations through sustainablepartnerships with Siena College.

VISTA Fellows commit a year of full-time service while subsisting on a smallliving allowance. Fellows build capacityby mobilizing resources, recruiting andtraining volunteers, and buildingcommunity partnerships. In addition tothe specific projects VISTA Fellowsimplement in the organization they areplaced within, VISTA Fellowsconnectacademics to their service projects bybuilding and strengtheningrelationships with Siena facultymembers through Academic ServiceLearning and Community-Based

Research projects. Placing Siena stud

in partnership with the poor andmarginalized provides a context for thknowledge they learn at Siena and brto life the Franciscan Tradition as thehallmark of Siena education.

Our 2010 Siena AmeriCorps*VISTAFellows consist of22 highly qualifiedyoung professionals who come fromacross the U.S., offering a variety ofskills, interests, and educationalbackgrounds. We are looking forwarda successful year of capacity buildingPlease join us in welcoming our 2010AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellows.

- Franciscan Center for Service and AdvoOffice of Academic Community Engagem

Meet the 2010 FSCA Siena CollegeAmeriCorps*VISTA Fellows...building a world that is more just, peaceable, and humane.


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FCSA Siena College VISTA Fellows Pro

Meet the VISTA Leaders

Patrick Gruber

Patrick joins the team for a second year ofervice after completing a VISTA term ashe Coordinator of Community Based

Research at the Siena College Researchnstitute (SRI). While at SRI, he

developed and distributed a nationalurvey to 3,000 undergraduate college

tudents, examining their habits andeelings toward community service in

higher education. This year he will be aVISTA Leader with a focus on Corporate

nd Community Connections &Technology Initiatives.Patrick is

riginally from West Virginia andgraduated in 2006 from West VirginiaWesleyan College with a bachelorsdegree in Economics.

Meet the VISTA Fellows

Christy AllenChristy is serving with the SienaResearch Institute as the Coordinator ofCommunity Based Research. The SienaResearch Institute conducts surveys thatocus on civic engagement andommunity-based research. Christy isriginally from Halfmoon, New York and

graduated from StateUniversity of NewYork, Geneso with a bachelors degree inSociology and Psychology.

Nefisah Sallim

Nefisah is returning for a second VISTAterm after serving off-campus at the Boys& Girls Club of Albany in 2008.Nefisahs primary focus was developingprograms and marketing tools for theenhancement of the club. This year shewill be a VISTA Leader with a focus on

improving and expanding the SienaCollege VISTA Fellows AcademicEnrichment Program & ProfessionalDevelopment Opportunities. Nefisah isoriginally from the Bronx, New York andgraduated from StateUniversity of NewYork, Albany in 2008 with a bachelorsdegree in Sociology and a minor inPublic Health.

Justin AdamsJustin is serving with the Siena BonnerService Leaders Program as theCoordinator of Training andEnrichment. The Bonner Program workswith students to enhance their academicsand community engagement throughservice. Justin is from Rochester, NY andgraduated from the University ofPennsylvania in 2009 in Economics.

Jennifer Simek

Jennifer returns for a second VISTA tafter completing her first term asDevelopment and VolunteerCoordinator at Grand Street CommuArts, Inc. She played a pivotal role inhelping the organization build structuthrough an Academic Service Learnin

Course with a Siena College Facultymember in the School of Business. Thyear she will be a VISTA Leader andCoordinator of A.C.E. Public RelatioJennifer is originally from Gig HarborWashington and graduated in 2007 frothe University of Washington, Seattlwhere she received her bachelors degin Law, Societies, and Justice with anemphasis in Human Rights.

Hannah BoehmHannah is serving with the NorthAlbany Academy. She is helping themestablish strong connections with thecommunity and local organizations asCoordinator of North Albany AcademInitiatives. Hannah is from LeesSummit, MO and graduated fromMissouri State University with abachelors degree in Social Work.


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Kaitlyn Calaluca

Kaitlyn is serving with FOCUS Churchesf Albany as the Coordinator of Program

Development. FOCUS Churches is agroup of several denominations that helperve the Albany area fight hunger and

poverty. Kaitlyn is originally fromNewburgh, New York and graduatedrom Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in010 with a bachelors degree in

Materials Science and Engineering.

Meghan Dunn 07

Meghan returned for a second year ofervice after completing her first term ashe Coordinator of Mental Health/Social

Work Initiative in the Social WorkDepartment. She worked on severalprojects that concerned Mental Health,

ncluding Kendras Law Collection,uicide prevention, loss due to suicide,nd the Latina Female Initiative at Troy

High School. This year she is serving athe North Albany YMCA as the

Coordinator of the North AlbanyProject. Meghan is from Colonie, NY andgraduated in 2007 from Siena Collegewith a bachelors degree in English andeceived her masters degree at Queen

Mary, University of London in 2009.

Tanya Henderson

Tanya is serving with Fr. Peter YoungHousing, Industries, and Treatment(PYHIT) as the Coordinator of the Fr.Peter Young Re-Entry MentoringProgram. The PYHIT organizationreaches out to individuals who are poor,homeless, and addicted to drugs oralcohol. Tanya is originally from RoslynHeights, New York and graduated in 2010from State University of New York,

Oneonta and received her bachelorsdegree in Sociology and Family Studies.

Victoria Malaney

Victoria is serving with CatholicCharities and The Roarke Center in Troy,New York as Volunteer and ResourceDevelopment Coordinator to helpdevelop a mentoring program for womencoming out of Rensselaer County Jail. Shewill also research fundraisingopportunities for the Roarke Center, adrop-in center and soup kitchen tailoredto the needs of those expressed by thecommunity. Victoria is originally fromPort Saint, Florida and graduated in 2010from Skidmore College with a bachelorsdegree in English and minor in Spanishand Dance and Latin Studies.

Nezia Munezero

Nezia is serving at the Unity House oTroy, Inc., as the Coordinator ofVolunteers, Mentoring, and TrainingUnity House is a Rensselaer County-based human service agency thatprovides a wide range of services to mthe otherwise unmet needs of people the community who are hurting andstruggling. Nezia is originally fromBurundi. She received her BA in Polit

Science and French at St. Marys Colof Maryland and her MA inInternational Human Rights Law at tAmerican University in Cairo, Egypt

Ariel Palter

Ariel is serving with the Sr. TheaBowman Center for Women at SienaCollege as the Coordinator ofCommunity Partnership andEngagement. The Center for Womenworks to create a more active and

informed campus community whileeducating and engaging students in loincome communities. Ariel is originalfrom West Hartford, Connecticut andreceived her bachelors degree inAnthropology and Political Science wa minor is Mathematics at Union Colin 2010.


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FCSA Siena College VISTA Fellows Pro

Michael ParsonsMichael is serving as Coordinator ofAssessment and Development withTrinity Alliance, an organization in theAlbany dedicated to improvingneighborhoods by assisting in thedevelopment of family and youth andpromoting education and employment.Michael is originally from Williamsburg,Virginia and received his bachelorsdegree in 2010 from James Madison

University in Public PolicyandAdministration and Social Work.

Hilary Rainey

Hilary is serving with the Music Mobilenc. as Coordinator of Capacity Buildingnd Marketing. Music Mobile is anrganization that provides innovativeducational programs, learning andraining materials, and original songs to

build peaceful communities. Hilary isriginally from Midland, Michigan and

graduated in 2009 from ColumbiaCollege, Chicago, with her bachelorsdegree in Performing Arts Management.

Kathryn RamseyKathryn returned for a second year ofservice after completing a VISTA termworking in the Office of Enrollment andManagement at Siena College. Duringher first year of service she designed adropout prevention program and had alocal school showed interest inimplementing her program. This year, sheis working with North Albany Academywhere she will commence the drop-out

prevention program. Kathryn isoriginally from Columbus, Ohio andgraduated from Teachers College,Columbia University in 1989 where shereceived her bachelors degree inEducational Administration and Art.

Ryan Rose 10

Ryan is serving with the Homeless andTravelers Aid Society (HATAS), a point-of-entry human services agency thathelps the poor and homeless. AsCoordinator of Development, Ryan willbe coordinating a variety of fundraisersfor HATAS including the Home SweetHome Gingerbread House competition.Ryan is originally from Catskill, NewYork and graduated from Siena Collegein 2010 with a bachelors degree inAccounting and minor in BusinessAdministration.

Ricky Ryan 10

Ricky is serving with the Capital DisHabitat for Humanity - Habitat ReStas the Coordinator ReStore ResourceDevelopment. ReStore sells new andused home improvement items at anaffordable price. In his role he will bepromoting the store to potentialcustomers and volunteers. Ricky isoriginally from Moravia, New York angraduated in 2010 from Siena College

with a bachelors degree in Psychologwith a minor is Biology.

James Shultis

James is serving as Development andVolunteer Recruitment CoordinatorGrand Street Community Arts, an arorganization aimed at helping thecommunity through arts-based eventsand programs. James is originally fromBrooklyn, NY and received his bacheldegree from Hunter College(CUNY)Creative Writing, English Literature,Gender Studies and his masters degfrom Queens College in CreativeWriting, Poetics, and Literary Criticis
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Francheska Soto-Gonzalez

Francheska will be serving with theUnited States Committee for Refugees

nd Immigrants, which provides amultitude of services including casemanagement and employmentounseling, English classes, andelationship enhancement classes. As

Volunteer Coordinator, Francheska wille mobilizing resources to recruit

volunteers to serve at USCRI. Francheskas originally from Dorado, Puerto Ricond graduated from George Mason

University in 2010 with a bachelorsdegree in Global Affairs with aoncentration in Latin America and

minor in Spanish.

Samantha Tymchyn 09

Samantha returns for a second year ofservice after completing a VISTA termworking with the Center for Law andJustice where she helped them becomemore sustainable and efficient byreorganizing their operating structures.This year, Samantha is serving withInterfaith Partnership for the Homeless.They provide emergency shelter,advocate for the homeless, and

successfully reintegrate them back intotheir community. Samantha is originallyfrom Latham, New York and graduatedfrom Siena College in 2009 with abachelors degree in Political Science anda minor in Pre-Law.

Amanda Wilson

Amanda is serving with the Green TeCharter High School, an all boys collepreparatory high school in Albany. GrTech provides a high quality educatioa safe, small-school setting with extenliteracy instruction. In her position atCoordinator of Service Learning she be coordinating service opportunitiesthe students at Green Tech Charter HiSchool. Amanda is originally from

Brooklyn, New York and graduated frSiena College in 2010 with a bachelordegree in History and a minor in Fren

By the Numbers

The Siena College VISTA Fellows Program is a transformativexperience for all those who participate in creating positive change to

fight against poverty. Since 2008, the VISTA Fellows Program has grownnto a nationally recognized program.

19 VISTA Fellow Positions for 10-11 academic year

3 VISTA Leaders for 10-11 academic year

20 AmeriCorps/VISTA Summer Service Associates served in the 2010Summer of Service program

More than 50 college faculty members trained in the Problem-Based

Service Learning Model10 ASL classes taught in the 09-10 academic year

Over 800 students connecting academics and service over the last 3years

Over $1.2 in resources developed by AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellows todate.

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Franciscan Center For Service and Advocacy

Office of Academic Community Engagement | AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellows Program

Siena College | 515 Loudon Road | Hines Hall 104 | Loudonville, NY 12211 | P: (518) 782-6886 | F: (518) 786-5080

VISTA Fellow

Ryan Rose

recruitingvolunteers at

the Franciscan

Center for

Service and

Advocacy

Volunteer

Service Fair
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meet the '10-'11 siena college americorps*vista fellows

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