DEEP Service Newsletter

A Bi-Monthly Newsletter of the FCSA Office of Academic Community Engagement | September 2010: Vol I, No 1

ACE IN ACTION
Within the Siena College Franciscan Center for Service and
Advocacy, the Office of Academic Community Engagement
begins the ’10-’11 academic year with a new team of
AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellows and Bonner Service Leaders working
with community partners to help the poor and marginalized in
the Capital Region.

IN THIS ISSUE:
• AmeriCorps*VISTA service year reflections
• Bonner service trip to Maine and Canada
• Academic Service Learning preview

Pictured here, hillside in Maine as Bonners

travel to Presque Isle, Northern Maine to
learn about rural poverty.
 DEEP SERVICE NEWSLETTER

A Bi-Monthly Newsletter of the FCSA Office of Academic Community Engagement September 2010: Vol I, No 1

Service (Change + Transformative Change Fr. Young Mentoring Community Partner - Siena Bonner Service Academics and Service
Challenge) = Exciting AmeriCorps*VISTA Program Habitat Restore Leaders First Year Trip AmeriCorps*VISTA
VISTA Adventure Francheska Soto- AmeriCorps*VISTA AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader Jennifer Simek
AmeriCorps*VISTA Gonzalez reflects on Tanya Henderson Site Supervisor Emily reflects on Academic
Hilary Gandhi’s notion of describes her work site Collins talks about Service Learning and
Rainey change and writes and responsibilities. Habitat ReStore and the professors and
reflects on about how we can be the Page 2 how Siena is helping students she worked
the first few change we wish to see the store grow. with in the 2009-2010
weeks at her in the world. Page 3 Bonner Service Leader academic year.
service site, Music Page 2 Melanie Iannacone Page 6
Mobile. shares her service
Page 2 experiences.
Page 5

The Siena Bonner Service Leaders Program is also

Connecting academics growing! Now with 40 Bonner Service Leaders, the

to service through Bonners are getting settled into their academic

DEEP Partnerships
Within the Franciscan Center for Service and Advocacy,
the Office of Academic Community Engagement is
housed at Siena College in Hines Hall.
This year the Office of Academic Community
Engagement is proud to announce that our
programs and initiatives are expanding and
growing deeper into the Siena College Franciscan
Tradition and the greater community of the Capital
Region.
With that, we decided to expand our newsletter to
include not only “Life as a VISTA” but also our
other DEEP Service programs. Look for our DEEP
Service Newsletter on a bi-monthly basis for the
latest news regarding ongoing programs and
projects within Franciscan Center for Service and
Advocacy (FCSA) Office of Academic Community
Engagement.
The Siena College VISTA Fellows Program started
a new service year at the end of July. We are excited
The Siena Bonner Service Leaders First Year
Trip in Maine and Canada
to have three VISTA Leaders leading a group of
nineteen VISTA Fellows for the 2010-2011 service
year. They led a successful week long orientation for
the new VISTA Fellows and four returning, second-
year VISTA Fellows. The entire AmeriCorps*VISTA
team showed great enthusiasm and already they
have been working over two months, fighting
poverty by building capacity and sustainability
within our communities.
courses and service sites. A committee of Bonners
are also helping to plan the Halloween
Extravaganza, an annual Halloween arts and crafts
event sponsored by the Office of Academic
Community Engagement. The proceeds of this
event will go to one of our community partners.
Every year this event draws hundreds of
community members from across the Capital
Region.
Academic Service Learning courses are underway
for the Fall 2010 semester. Our community partners:
Music Mobile, Grand Street Community Arts, and
Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless are working
with Siena College Faculty members in the
Computer Science Department and the School of
Business.
We are excited to be working with a diverse group
of enthusiastic individuals dedicated to fighting
poverty and making lasting positive changes in our
community.
Jennifer Simek
AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader
Coordinator of A.C.E. Public Relations

FCSA Academic Community Engagement 2


Service (Change +
Challenge) = Exciting
VISTA Adventure
By Hilary Rainey, AmeriCorps*VISTA
My life has drastically changed over the past month.
I am living in a completely unfamiliar place,
surrounded by all new people from different
backgrounds, with a new job and new
responsibilities making significantly less than what I
made at my previous job. However, I am the type of
person who thrives on change and challenge. I
made the decision to do a year of service with the
intent of doing something new and I actively
decided to break out of my norm. I tend to view
life’s obstacles and new paths as exciting
adventures. My first week at Music Mobile was very
overwhelming; it was difficult coming into an office
that was winding down from its peak season as I
was ready to get started. The best way to describe
the feeling I got from my first days is: Chaos.
However now, as I’ve become more adjusted
personally and professionally I have accepted the
chaos and learned how to work efficiently in this
new environment.
Working at Music Mobile is much different than
working at Disney, where I was at the beginning of
2009. There if a single bobby pin was out of place
there was a big to-do. While working in the music
industry as a tour manager, I was always able to
manage myself and other people with my own
organizational structure. At Music Mobile I have to
learn the way the office functions which may not be
the way I would do things if I were on my own, but
that does not mean it is the wrong way. This year
will be a wonderful opportunity for me to learn
even more about working with other types of office
and management styles while adapting my
professional behaviors to better fit with this new
placement.
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www.twitter.com/scvista
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FCSA Academic Community Engagement
DEEP SERVICE NEWSLETTER
Transformative Change
By Francheska Soto-Gonzalez, AmeriCorps*VISTA
The first month as a Siena VISTA Fellow has been
challenging for I have begun to question the notion
of real change. Change can happen in different
levels and in different capacities. There is a change
that is small and takes years to see, and then there’s
change that’s immense and its affect is rapid. Yet
how can the success of change be tabulated,
calculated, rated? Who and what determines
successful change?
When asking myself these questions the only
evolving conclusion I can come up with is Gandhi’s
quote, “Be the change
you want to see in the
“Real and world.” In other words,
transformative real transformative
change begins in our
change is possible
by challenging our everyday actions and
behaviors that are
perspective on
influenced by our
what we believe to personal perspectives
be the norm.” and biases. It’s
reprogramming and
reeducating ourselves to see the world differently
which will then consequently affect the impact we
have on the world. In “The Pedagogy of the
Oppressed” Paul Freire’s reoccurring point seemed
to be that we cannot alleviate those in oppression by
using the same models, systems, and structures that
have programmed us to view them as inferior.
Real and transformative change is possible by
challenging our perspective on what we believe to
be the norm. We have to reeducate ourselves to see
the reality of the world and to then try and change
the circumstances that have created that reality. This
then leads me to think, have you challenged your
personal perspective today?
www.acereflections.wordpress.com
www.flickr.com/sienacollegeace
VISTA Vision
By Ryan Rose, AmeriCorps*VISTA
Starting my year as a VISTA (Volunteer in Service to
America), I was highly enthusiastic. The time
during pre-service orientation (PSO) was a great
boost of excitement. I envision our group as a force
for positive change. Fighting to end poverty is a key
part to the success of humanity’s future.
Something that stands out in my mind from PSO
was a group discussion. We talked about what
VISTAs thought the definition and causes of poverty
are. Most defined poverty as a lack of needed
resources to live at a comfortable level. The causes
ranged from lack of education and capability to
access resources to a natural outcome of the social
organization we call civilization.
This discussion took us to a point where VISTAs
shared personal stories of their lives. Some grew up
seeing themselves as poor; others were wealthy and
over time descended the socioeconomic ranks of our
culture, and some never really thought of
themselves as poor until comparing the stories of
other VISTAs to their own lives. Most everyone felt
they were rich in love and friendship.
During this little session I began to see poverty as
something relative to where one stands on our
culture’s pyramid and brought this to the attention
of the group. As VISTAs, for a year we’re living at
the bottom of the hierarchy, along with the majority
of humanity. I wanted to see what others thought of
my perspective on poverty. It seems to me that
poverty is the inevitable outcome in society that
views some lives as more valuable than others. I
was met with some vacant stares. I felt like I was
speaking something invisible, like gravity; it’s this
universal force that, to be explained, takes the
soaring genius of a man like Newton.
My mind ventured back to a business class. Most
organizations have a mission statement and some
have a vision statement. Something I read about
vision was that it is to culture what gravity is to
matter. Watching a ball roll off a table, you see
gravity work. When a culture spreads outward you
see vision at work. For us to end poverty; we need
to change our vision. The vision of a world without
poverty is the first step to the fight against it. The
world is as you dream it.
3

Fulfillment through
Service By Nezia Munezero
Nearly a month ago, I
embarked on a journey that I
knew would not be the same
as anything else I have done in
the past. I took a vow to “work
myself out of a job.” In other
words, I have to make
sustainable efforts to connect
my VISTA Site with the
community it serves so that
after me, my Site will not need
me or another person to do my job.
This is the case with all AmeriCorps*VISTA
members. We sign up to spend a year serving in
various non-profit organizations around the
country. We are assigned to do work from grant
writing to volunteer recruitment to general capacity
building. When I applied to the program, I was not
fully aware of what I was signing up for. I knew it
would be a tough
“My position gives me year, with financial
special lenses to see difficulties and
first hand the impact culture shock, but I
working with our knew it would all
work out. Was I
organization has on
right? Yes, indeed.
volunteers.”
My worries have
been confirmed. I
have financial difficulties, but what I did not fully
realize before I started working was the support
system that I am going to have throughout the year.
This is how this year is going to happen
successfully.
My assignment is at Unity House of Troy, Inc. where
people in the community can get all sorts of
services, including food, clothing, counseling, legal
representation, housing support and much more.
Community members benefit from all of these
services because Unity House employees are
dedicated to “making life better.” And for the next
year, my life will be included in this commitment.
Since I came to Unity House, I can say with a doubt
that my co-workers really strive to make life better
not only for our consumers, but also for members of
the community interested in volunteering their time
working at Unity House. My position gives me
special lenses to see first hand the impact working
with our organization has on volunteers.
During my first week here, I visited our Street
Ministry location, where a volunteer was working at
Unique Boutique, organizing the thrift store and
helping out in other ways necessary. I was there
during the week his volunteering would end, but he
was not ready to say goodbye to what he saw as his
own way of contributing to his community. He took
pleasure in putting price tags on every item in the
store. He stopped for a short conversation with one
of our employees. He later asked me for my contact
4
DEEP SERVICE NEWSLETTER
information to be able to make arrangements for encouragement for an easier transition from
him to come back and continuing volunteering. He incarceration into mainstream society.
does not see an end date to his commitment here
with us. As the Coordinator of the program it is my
responsibility to asses the needs of the incoming
This kind of fulfillment is difficult to obtain, but it is clients as well as assess the strengths and qualities
made easier at Unity House. Our employees share a of each Life Coach. Having this information allows
strong dedication to improving lives and those who me to properly pair each Mentee to a Mentor/Life
step into our doors to volunteer take the same back Coach in hopes that this will help assist them reach
with them. Though I have only been here for a little their goals and guide them to have the greatest
while, I can already see that my experience here will chance for success. The Mentors in our program are
strengthen my commitment to serve with no end individuals who have gone through and completed
date. an orientation training prior to becoming a Mentor/
Life Coach. They have been trained and well
Father Young Mentoring prepared to work with our clients and various
situations either through formal training and/or
Program By Tanya Henderson previous life experiences. Allowing individuals who
have been successful in overcoming obstacles
become mentors is part of what makes our program
Under the Peter Young
so great and unique.
Housing Industry
Treatment I have If you are interested in these services or volunteering and
developed the Father becoming a Mentor/Life Coach please contact Tanya
Young Mentoring Henderson at thenderson@siena.edu.
Program. This program
has a unique opportunity
to work with individuals who have a desire to move Habitat ReStore By Ricky Ryan
forward in life and become self sufficient. This
program was created to service individuals who My first day on site, my
were previously incarcerated and families who are site supervisor, Emily,
at risk or disadvantage. We will provide sustainable took me around to see
support services for clients residing at the following some of the houses that
the Capital District
facilities/programs: Albany County Transition
House and Albany Parole Stabilization of 45 South Habitat for Humanity
Ferry Street, Albany NY; and Temporary Aid (CDHfH) has built in their
Families residing at Schuyler Inn located on 575 22 years of service to the Albany area. I was slightly
Broadway, Menands NY. taken aback when we
started walking down the “That’s the first
Although we will be servicing those locations we street and not to her car. I thing that I loved
are not limited to just those programs. It is our goal soon came to realize that
to work with anyone in our area who can benefit about Habitat;
most of the houses
from our services. The mentoring program is CDHfH has built are they serve their
designed strategically so right in the same neighborhood, and
that individuals will go “The mentoring community as our office come to find out,
step by step through our program is on North Pearl Street in the neighborhood
program and Albany. That’s the first
designed serves back.”
comfortably move thing that I loved about
towards an independent strategically so Habitat; they serve their
life style. The mentors that individuals neighborhood, and come to find out, the
will: help individuals will go step by neighborhood serves back. Capital District for
learn how to be self- step through our Humanity only consists of a handful of paid staff;
sufficient; provide the rest is done by volunteers from the community.
program and
individuals with a That’s the same for their ReStore as well.
comfortably move
trusted friend and guide
to support them; link towards an What’s a ReStore you may ask, as I did myself, and I
participants with another independent life attended Siena for four years, only ten minutes
down the road. The ReStore is a store that takes in
adult who will have an style.”
understanding of what it donations of used housing supplies, building
is to have gone through difficult life situations and materials, and furniture and then sells them at a
have grown to be successful; work as a liaison reduced price. The best part? All proceeds go to
between our program and other community fund CDHfH.
services our clients will need. We will correlate our
Check us out at http://www.capitaldistricthbabitat.org/
services with other programs like literacy program,
(click on our ReStore tab). So think of us the next time
career development and a lot more; and provide
you need to donate or buy something.
FCSA Academic Community Engagement
 DEEP SERVICE NEWSLETTER
and those threatened by homelessness. The drop-in
Where Homeless Doesn’t center is one of a kind in the Albany community and
Featured Community
Mean Hopeless is cherished by those who benefit from the services
it provides. Partner - Habitat ReStore
By Samantha Tymchyn ’09, AmeriCorps*VISTA The final major program of Interfaith Partnership By Emily Collins
for the Homeless is the housing program. This
In December of 2009, I am Emily Collins, manager of the Habitat
program helps adults and families that are
the Siena VISTA team ReStore in Albany. The ReStore is a home
homeless, or in threat of becoming homeless, seek
visited Interfaith improvement resale store which accepts
guidance from a case manager in finding safe and
Partnership for the donations of new and gently used building
affordable housing and support for up to a year to
Homeless (IPH) as a materials and home improvement items. Items
assist with issues related to housing retention. In
professional are then sold at bargain prices to raise money for
addition, in
development training. Capital District Habitat for Humanity (CDHfH).
November of 2009
After touring the As the ReStore raises money to support CDHfH,
IPH finished
facilities, we sat in the boardroom and had an it makes home improvements possible for any
building two
extensive discussion about a variety of different income level and keeps tons of useable materials
apartment
development topics. Needless to say, it was love at out of the landfill.
buildings to assist
first sight. I soon volunteered with IPH helping the
adults and families I have always been interested in issues
organization plan their Taste of Albany fundraiser
who have been surrounding housing and homelessness. For
and found myself assuming more responsibility as
chronically homeless or disabled. These apartments years, I worked at a non-profit with individuals
time progressed. In
are available for long term housing housing at a struggling with homelessness and alcoholism. I
“The drop-in center deciding to do a
subsidized rate. feel passionately that housing is a right and I am
second year of service,
is one of a kind in fortunate to have a job that combines so many of
IPH had already felt
the Albany Beyond providing services, the mission of Interfaith my interests.
like home, and my Partnership for the Homeless is to successfully help
community and is choice to join the team Since the Habitat ReStore is a major fundraiser
people get back on their feet. IPH is truly
cherished by those felt natural. for CDHfH, we are concentrating this year on
supporting the homeless population of Albany on a
making the store a household name. While our
who benefit from the multifaceted level, but with a tough economy and
Tucked away in accomplishments have been the expansion of
services it provides.” downtown Albany, budget cuts, some programs are threatened. As the
space, employees and hours open, the store’s
new Marketing Coordinator of IPH, my next year
Interfaith Partnership greatest challenge has been getting the word out
will be dedicated to generating and implementing
for the Homeless has been providing essential about this project with such limited resources.
fresh development tactics to increase capacity and
services to the community for the past 25 years and
sustainability. I welcome the community to visit the The quintessential Habitat moment is when
now manages three major programs. The 30 bed
shelter anytime for a tour and a chance to fall in someone is handed the keys to their new home
dormitory - style emergency shelter provides basic
love with Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless and I am proud that our Habitat ReStore helps
necessities, a daily lunch, case management, life
too! make that moment a reality. It is also incredible
skills training, housing assistance, all allowing
when first time homeowners on a tight budget
guests to stay at the residence all day, unlike most To get the latest on Interfaith Partnership for the find the perfect set of cabinets for an affordable
shelters in the area. Homeless, join their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/ price, or surprised look on a first-time visitor to
albanyhomeless. the ReStore, seeing all the treasure it holds.
The Sheridan Hollow Drop-In center, located
around the corner from the shelter, provides case I have always valued service since I think it is
management, meals, showers, laundry, phone, Did You Know? important to be engaged in the issues that our
mailboxes, storage lockers and transportation to the Since 2007, Academic Community community’s and neighbors face. I participated
Albany community. The drop-in center serves as a Engagement initiatives have create more in AmeriCorps NCCC program after graduating
safe-haven for those who are chronically homeless than one million dollars in new resources college and it remains one of the highlights of my
for service to the poor and marginalized? life. I had the opportunity to work with various
non-profits and made incredible friends during
Below: Inside Habitat ReStore that time.
Siena is helping us combat ReStore’s greatest
challenge. Siena VISTA volunteer Melissa Moore
and Ricky Ryan have focused on the ReStore and
continue to be instrumental in helping the store
grow. CDHfH and Siena’s partnership extends
into our affordable housing program, with Siena
College sponsoring our Habitat house at 486 N.
Pearl St. in Albany. Volunteers are key to
Habitat’s success, and Siena students have been
very involved in this aspect. As Habitat
continues to build homes for families in the
Capital District, we hope that Siena will continue
to join us.
To get the latest updates about Habitat ReStore,
search their page on Facebook or visit them on the
web!

FCSA Academic Community Engagement 5

 DEEP SERVICE NEWSLETTER

Bonner Service Leaders

Taking their understanding of poverty to a new context, Freshman Bonners
explore rural poverty in Maine and border issues in Canada on their first year
service trip in August.

The Bonner Service Leaders Program is an academic
community engagement scholarship program that
provides access to education, and opportunity to serve,
for Siena students. From freshman to senior year,
Bonners get the opportunity to step beyond collegiate
walls to understand real life social justice issues. Melanie
Iannacone ’12 describes her experience on her first year
service trip.
For the first year service
trip, Siena Bonner students
traveled to Presque Isle,
Maine. Presque Isle is a
small town in Northern
Maine that boarders
Canada. It is surrounded
by rich mountains and
beautiful scenery. With a
population of about 9,500, this small town is
nothing like the city of Albany, NY in which Siena
Bonners typically serve. Most of the town’s
population is involved with farming the area’s most
common crops, potatoes.
We began the trip with information sessions about
Aroostook County, which is larger than Connecticut
and Rhode Island combined. Claudia Stevens, from
United Way, said to us “What’s at the core of the
problem... and let’s fix it.” This simple statement
represents what us Bonners aim to do at our service
sites. It is not just putting a band aid on the problem
but also getting to the root of it and stopping the
cycle. In our next meeting with ACAP we learned
that the unemployment rate in Aroostook County is
13%, where as in Albany it is 6.3%
“It is not just Our journey then took us
putting a band to Catholic Charities where
we really began to get our
aid on the
hands dirty and dig into
problem but also service. Dixie Shaw runs a
getting to the root thrift store with all locally
of it and stopping donated items to provide
the cycle.” 24 food pantries in the
county with food. The
Siena Bonners helped around the store and also
unloaded over 15 trucks of furniture in two days!
Dixie is so excited about what she is doing and her
positive energy radiates to all of the volunteers at
the agency. The way she empowers the people that
come into her agency is incredible.
Next we traveled to Canada to get a look into life on
the Tobique reservation. There we met Dan, a
Native American who lives on the reservation. We
spent two days, learning about his past and the past
of his people. He had such a quiet and simple
approach to life and it caused a lot of us to rethink
how we live our day to day lives. Dan could say so
much by not saying anything at all. That’s
something all of us will bring home with us. We
may have left the small town of Presque Isle, Maine
but the things we learned and felt will never leave
the 11 of us that went on the trip.
- Melanie Iannacone ’12

“This experience trip has stretched me beyond my comfort zone and taught me about how we
are all connected despite our differences whether it be race, income, or location. I hope to bring First Year Bonner Service Trip
this message back to Albany and share the message.” - Ananda Brinkmann

6 FCSA Academic Community Engagement

 DEEP SERVICE NEWSLETTER

Our Mission Academics and Service: A Reflection

Academic skills and knowledge can be
acquired and strengthened through
application to real world challenges faced in
the greater community. Placing Siena
students in partnership with the poor and
marginalized provides a context for the
knowledge they learn at Siena and brings to
life the Franciscan Tradition as the hallmark
of a Siena education.
Academic Service Learning (ASL) at Siena
includes all forms of academic teaching and
learning in which learning outcomes of an
academic course or project are met in whole
or in part through meaningful service to a
community-based organization. The ASL
Program assists Faculty through training,
design assistance, managing community
partner relations, identification of community
partner needs, building ASL network of
faculty across the region, and student and
community partner training and
development.
Academic Service Learning is a can be. The impact the classes had consisted of 70 students who
pedagogical approach that seeks to on GSCA lasted far beyond the rotated art professors within the
meet the course learning objectives in semester. Leaving us with their semester, learning about a variety
and through application of academic knowledge and research, the of artistic methods and
skills and knowledge-base of the students did more in a semester applications. In Professor
course to a real community need. for GSCA than what could have Packard’s section, each student
Americorps*VISTA Leader, Jennifer been accomplished by the small developed a kid friendly art lesson
Simek, highlights the Academic staff in the same timeframe. plan to be utilized by the Grand
Service Learning projects she worked Street Kids Club summer program
on in the 2009-2010 academic year. Professor Thurston’s class, coordinators.
“Leading Sustainable
In my 2009-2010 service year as an Organizational Change,” helped Working with these professors
AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellow at Grand Street Community Arts and students helped make my
Grand Street Community Arts look in-depth at six core needs AmeriCorps*VISTA year
(GSCA), I had the opportunity to within the organization, including successful. This year, I am a
work with Siena College School of database management, AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader
Business Professor Paul Thurston sustainable funding, and external helping new AmeriCorps*VISTA
and Sage College of Albany Visual communications as well as Fellows make those connections
Arts Chair and Professor Sally strategic planning for three youth and I’m excited to see the impact
Packard. I witnessed through the art programs. their college partner classes make.
coordination of these ASL
Professor Packard’s class, a - Jennifer Simek, AmeriCorps*VISTA
partnerships how successful an
freshman art foundations course, Leader
academic service learning course

Music Mobile & Siena College Interfaith Partnership for the Grand Street Community Arts &
Fall 2010 Academic Service Computer Science Department Homeless & the School of Business the School of Business

Learning Partners Animating Music Mobile songs by Organization and Management Leading Sustainable Organizational
Ruth Pelham Change

Upcoming Community Events

Grand Opening of the New
Sr. Thea Bowman Center for
Women
09/17/10, 12:30 p.m. - 5:00
p.m., Siena College, New
Residence Hall, Garden
Level Room 06, free
admission, contact
apalter@siena.edu
Come tour the new location of
the Sr. Thea Bowman Center for
Women.
Siena College Celebrates:
International Day of Peace
09/21/10, all day, Siena
College, 515 Loudon Rd.,
Loudonville, NY 12211,
contact apalter@siena.edu
The International Day of Peace
provides an opportunity for
individuals, organizations and
nations to create practical acts of
peace on a shared date. It was
established by a United Nations
resolution in 1981 to coincide
with the opening of the General
Assembly.
BoardedUP Auction
9/25/10, 5:00 p.m. - 9:00
p.m., 68 Grand Street,
Albany, NY 12202, (518)
463-2222,
www.grandarts.org
Six months worth of artist
boards all up for auction! Live
music (DJ Truemaster), dancing,
refreshments. Over 70 local
artists represented.
Tour de Habitat 2010
9/26/10, register online at
www.EvansAle.com, entry
fee is $100 per individual or
family, for more info
contact CDHfH at (518)
462-2993
The Tour de Habitat gives riders
a choice of pedaling a 100, 50, 25
or family-friendly 10 mile route
to benefit Capital District
Habitat for Humanity. All rides
start and finish at the Albany
Pump Station, with a post-ride
Reception.
Saints & Ghouls: Halloween
Extravaganza 6
10/30/10, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00
p.m., Sarazen Student
Union, 515 Loudon Rd.,
Loudonville, NY 12211, $5
per child, group discounts
available. contact
sienahalloweenextravaganz
a@gmail.com
An arts and crafts festival and
fundraiser for kids and families
in the Capital Region. All funds
raised will go to Interfaith
Partnership for the Homeless in
Albany, NY.
HATAS Home Sweet Home
Gingerbread Home
Fundraiser/Silent Auction
11/13/10, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00
p.m. @ Crossgates Mall /
11/18/10 from 6:00 p.m. -
8:00 p.m. @ Dale Miller,
contact Liz Hitt, Assistant
Executive Director,
lhitt@hatas.org, (518)
463-2124, ext. 229
Homeless and Travelers Aid
Society Home Sweet Home
Gingerbread Home is a two part
event featuring decorated
Gingerbread Homes on 11/13
and an evening dinner auction
on 11/18.
A Simple Day of Giving: A
Community Service Day for
Families
11/20/10, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00
p.m., St. Sofia Church, 440
Whitehall Rd., Albany, NY,
FREE, contact Roberta
Sandler for more info,
Sandlernea@aol.com
Making practical homemade
gifts to share with local
organizations. No skills
necessary.
Latino Youth Conference
10/16/10, 10:00 a.m. - 9:00
p.m., Siena College, 515
Loudonville Rd,
Loudonville, NY 12211, free
registration, contact:
www.LatinoYouthConferenc
e.org
The Latino Youth Leadership
Conference is an exciting and
inspirational day where Latino
youth learn about leadership
development, future educational
opportunities and making good
decisions.

FCSA Academic Community Engagement 7

 DEEP SERVICE NEWSLETTER

Our Mission
The Franciscan Center for Service and
Advocacy AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellows
Program provides help to build, sustain, and
promote civic engagement by fostering
reciprocal DEEP relationships between
students, faculty, administration and our
local community in need.

Our program focuses on assisting faculty,

students, and community partners to work
with all walks of life. Our actions commit to
our core values of St. Francis and allow our
students, faculty and administration to seek
direct actions towards academic excellence
through their civic engagement and
participation in programs that help to
increase capacity in areas of our community
that need it most through DEEP
Partnerships.

Our Partners
Peter Young Housing, Industries, and
Treatment
Homeless and Travelers Aid Society
FOCUS Churches
Boys and Girls Club of Albany
Unity House of Troy, Inc.
Catholic Charities/Roarke Center
Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless
U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
NAA/SNAP
Grand Street Community Arts, Inc.
Trinity Alliance
Music Mobile
YMCA
Green Tech Charter High School
Siena Office of Enrollment Management
Sr. Thea Bowman Center for Women
Get Involved!
Interested in learning more about our programs and projects? Becoming an Siena Research Institute
AmeriCorps*VISTA, Bonner Service Leader? Interested in Academic Service Learning? Konenia Health
Contact us to learn more about how you can get involved! Capital District Habitat for Humanity

Have a story about DEEP Service? Submit one! Siena College

Office of Academic Community Engagement
We want to hear from you! Send your stories (350 words max.) to Jennifer Simek, 515 Loudon Road
Coordinator of A.C.E. Public Relations. Your story may be featured in our next DEEP Loudonville, NY 12211
P: (518) 783-6886 |F: (518) 786-5080
Service Newsletter. https://www.siena.edu/pages/2203.asp

8 FCSA Academic Community Engagement