|
About Foundations Community Partnership Doylestown, PA (July, 2009) - Foundations Community Partnership's Summer Youth Corps, which sponsors Bucks County paid student internships at local non-profit human service agencies has announced the 12 participating students in this year's program. Focusing on non-profit human service agencies providing services to children, youth and families in Bucks County, the Summer Youth Corps offer interns the ability to gain practical experience while helping to effect positive change in the community. "We are excited to offer this wonderful internship program for the second year in a row," said Ron Bernstein, Executive Director of Foundations Community Partnership. "Not only do local non-profit agencies benefit from having highly qualified students assisting their organizations, but the students are also gaining meaningful work experience with groups that are really making a difference in the community." Through a relationship with Bucks County Community College, students are able to experience "service-learning", a form of experiential education where students learn to solve community problems and achieve real objectives for the community while earning college credits. Service-learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities. Service-learning is different from volunteerism in that it is a teaching and learning approach that integrates community service with academic study to enrich learning, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities. This year's Summer Youth Corps is led by Field Supervisor Mary Beth Coggshall, a graduate student at Temple University, where she is earning a Masters of Social Work degree from the School of Social Administration. This summer, students have been placed in the following locations: New Britain resident Patricia Cangelosi is working at Pearl S. Buck International in Perkasie. She is helping to organize and coordinate several of the organization's events, including a Blood Drive, Members Event, and International Day. She is a graduate of Central Bucks West and a student at Elizabethtown College. Sellersville resident Gabriella Colkett is working at Community Conservatory in Doylestown. She is assisting with marketing and outreach efforts, helping teach several music classes, and participating in the organization's Neighborhood Notes program. A graduate of Pennridge High School, she is attending Ithaca College. Doylestown resident Mary Cossolini is working at Tabor Children's Services in Doylestown where she is developing a lending library for parents and teachers and coordinating a Reading Program for the children and their families. A graduate of Central Bucks West, she attends West Chester University. Warrington resident Lisa Davies is working at NOVA in Jamison, an agency that aims to support, counsel, and empower victims of sexual assault and other serious crimes. Lisa is focusing primarily on a congregation outreach project to further expand NOVA's services to the community. She graduated from Central Bucks South and attends the University of Maryland. Upper Makefield resident Allison Dhoble is working at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County in Jamison. Big Brothers Big Sisters helps children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors that have a measurable impact on youth. Allison graduated from Solebury School and attends Simmons College. Warminster resident Jesnie George is working at the Michener Art Museum in Doylestown. Her responsibilities include compiling the docent guide to the 20 Years of Collecting Exhibition and assisting with the Summer Arts Colony. A graduate of William Tennent High School, she attends NYU. Bensalem resident Brianna Johnson is working at Penndel Mental Health Center, an organization dedicated to promoting community well being through the provision of comprehensive behavioral health treatment options, education, and support to individuals and families of Lower Bucks County. She is a graduate of Conwell Egan Catholic High School and attends Temple University. Levittown resident Megan Magee is working at Bristol Riverside Theater's summer camp, as well as helping with some administrative duties and marketing efforts at the theater. A graduate of Neshaminy High School, she attends the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Feasterville resident Dina Mangione is working at the Central Bucks Family YMCA in Doylestown where she is helping coach the YMCA's summer cheer camp as well as assisting in the pool area. She is a graduate of Neshaminy High School and attends Bucks County Community College. Jamison resident Matthew Mudalel is working at Family Service Association in Langhorne, an outpatient treatment center with a primary focus on mental health and substance abuse. A graduate of Central Bucks South, he attends Lehigh University. Richboro resident Daniel Pelberg is working at Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County in Chalfont, an organization that aims to bring individuals, families and communities together to build affordable homes for those in need. Dan's activities include: formulating a grant proposal, working in the ReStore, and helping with youth programs and events. He is a graduate of Council Rock South and attends Bentley University. Doylestown resident Louis Taylor is working at Special Equestrians in Warrington, a therapeutic horseback riding facility serving people of all ages with various physical and cognitive disabilities. A graduate of the Peddie School, he attended Bucks County Community College and will be entering Wesleyan University in the fall. Students who have completed their freshman through junior year at college and who are residents of Bucks County are eligible to participate in Foundations Community Partnership's Summer Youth Corps. The 10-week service-learning program runs from June 1 through Aug. 7. Internships are subsidized by Foundations Community Partnership. Foundations Community Partnership (www.fcpartnership.org) develops community-focused, youth-based service learning opportunities, provides grants and scholarships, and supports community education, research and training. Editor's Note: Digital photos of the students are available. |
||||||||||||||||||
