RICC VISTA Activities
Through the RICC AmeriCorps*VISTA program, RICC VISTA members are placed at a variety of host sites throughout Rhode Island. They will perform a wide array of service activities in support of the goals and objectives of the RICC VISTA program. Below is a sampling of projects that our RICC AmeriCorps*VISTA members work on:
Blackstone Academy Charter School
Cassandra Chavez
Cassandra Chavez is the VISTA at Blackstone Academy Charter School in Pawtucket, RI. The mission of Blackstone Academy includes community involvement and improvement as well as career development and preparation for higher education. Cassandra is working to find opportunities for student involvement in the community as well as for internships and job shadows. She is also involved in Community Improvement Classes that focus on specific topics and encourage service.
Brown University
Ashley Belanger
Ashley Belanger is working at Brown University's Swearer Center for PUblic Service. As Program Assistant with the Rhode Island Urban Debate League (RIUDL), She is working to strenghten current partnerships and to increase the number of urban core high schools participating in the league. In collaboration with community partners and Swearer Center staff, she works to develop new strategies for addressing communiy needs and assessing the effectiveness of RIUDL programs. Ashley also works with the Social Innovation Initiative to support and expand opportunities for social entrepreneurship at Brown.
Bryant University
Colleen Butterfield
Colleen Butterfield is currently serving at Bryant University as a community liaison for the service learning program on campus. Her main focus for the beginning of the semester was getting over 75 students placed with community or on-campus organizations to do service hours as a course requirement. After placements are solidified, Colleen will serve as support and provide guidance for the different service projects. Another major project that she as well as two other faculty members worked on was the application for the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll which Bryant was awarded for last year. She is assisting with the creation of a website which will host all the service opportunities on and off campus for students to partake in for course requirements or personal interest. This is the fist year that an annual "alternative spring break" trip will serve a small fishing village in the Dominican Republic. Several students from the Sociology 354: Globalization & Childhood course are spearheading this project and creating it from the ground up along with Colleen, Professor Sandra Enos and Toby Simon from the Women's Center at Bryant University.
Central Falls School Department
Andrea Merrihew
Andrea Merrihew is a VISTA at the Central Falls Senior High School in Central Falls, RI. She is housed in the College Crusades office at the High School, and is working towards building partnerships with local community and non-profit organizations. This will help her create a user-friendly community service system for high school students, including bi-weekly updates on upcoming service opportunities as well as after school programs devoted to community service. The system will assist students in attaining their required hours of community service in addition to creating rich experiences for students ivolved in the community. All of this will expand the understanding of service learning at the Central Falls Senior High School, while creating a productive public service environment for the student body.
Community College of Rhode Island
Kaitlynne Ward
Kaitlynne Ward is serving at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), Newport County Campus. She is currently working to increase levels of civic engagement among the student body and working with faculty to expand the number of Service Learning courses offered at CCRI. In addition, she will be working with members of various community organizations to produce a mural in late November.
Johnson & Wales University
Peter Skwirz
Peter Skwirz has joined the Feinstein Community Service Center at Johnson & Wales University as the 2008-2009 Rhode Island Campus Compact AmeriCorps*VISTA. Peter will be developing and facilitating the Career Ambassador program. This program gives JWU students an opportunity to volunteer at local Providence middle schools and share their knowledge and experiences with middle school students, in order to orient them towards obtaining career opportunities and access to higher education. Peter is a recent graduate of the University of Rhode Island, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Philosophy.
Providence College
Lizzie Lydon
Lizzie Lydon is one of two AmeriCorps*VISTA members working in the Feinstein Institute for Public Service at Providence College. She is crrently working to increase the number of students aware and involved in Alternative Break trips, as well as spread the word to civically engaged students about AmeriCorps' Scholarships for Service Program at Providence College. Lizzie will also be working to create a proposal for a greatly desired Post-Graduate Volunteer Corps in which student can continue working in the community even after they graduate.
Griffin Rouse
Griffin Rouse will be serving in the Feinstein Institute for Public Service at Providence College. Griffin will be working on the Revitalization of St Patrick's Cemetery including but not limited to tree plantings, headstone restorations, and the improvement of the cemetery wall. Griffin Rouse will also be responsible for creating the infrastructure that will allow for the community to sustain the improvements while also deepening the Institutes community partners. Griffin Rouse will also be responsible for assisting fellow VISTA Lizzy Lydon in an effort to plan and implement a post graduate corps based out of the Feinstein Institute.
Providence Public School District
Sarah Chou
Sarah Chou is building infrastructure for civic engagement across the Providence Public School District. She is working with each of the eleven public high schools and with organizations across the city to develop and promote opportunities for high school youth in Providence.
Rhode Island School of Design
Project Open Door
Kasey Ramirez
Kasey Ramirez is serving with Project Open Door, RISD's free after school art program for urban teenagers through RISD's Department of Teaching + Learning. She is working to build community partnerships, implement a youth leadership program and promote Project Open Door on campus and in the community.
Office of Public Engagement
Susan Sakash
Susan Sakash is working with the Office of Public Engagement at Rhode Island School of Design, a new initiative charged with deepening RISD's institutional commitment to public service education, publicly engaged practices in the arts, and community partnerships. As Program Coordinator, Susan coordinates public programming and co-curricular activites that enhance the service learning opportunities at the college and connect students and faculty with local community partners. www.risdpublicengagement.net
Roger Williams University
Kristin Read
Kristin Read is currently working to strengthen and build relationships between community-based agencies in the East Bay and Roger Williams University Faculty, Staff and Students. Service opportunities are the primary vehicle for engaging stakeholders in this work and include Service Learning coursework requirements, Community Connections (an exciting day of service for all entering freshmen), and active involvement in K-5 schools throughout Briston and Warren. Kristin hopes to develop tools for evaluating the impact of the school based initiatives.
Joshua-Michael Corrente
Joshua-Michael Corrente has two work locations, dividing his time between the Rogher Willams University and the Bristol Good Neighbors Soup Kitchen (BGN). Mr. Corrente is currently working to raise awareness and funds for BGN and to increase the agency's volunteer pool by serving as a coordinator and champion for BGN on the Rogher Williams University Campus. BGN plays a pivitol role serving two meals per day and providing a Food Pantry for local residents of the East Bay. In the fall Joshua-Michael conceived of and coordinated a lunch at BGN to host David K. Shipler, author of The Working Poor: Invisible in America. The event helped shine a spotlight on the hunger issues facing families in the East Bay and generated additional attention for the Bristol Good Neighbors Soup Kitchen.
University of Rhode Island
Corrine Hawes
Corrine Hawes is currently coordinating the University of Rhode Island's Clearning house for Volunteers. She also helps with campus outreach to build partnerships and raise awareness about the Feinstein Center for Service Learning. Corrine assists in the Feinstein Enriching America Program which engages first year students in a service learning experience. She is in charge of planning three Discovery Days for the College Crusade program, which introduces youth to the University of Rhode Island.