For Immediate Release—Wednesday,
Sept. 20, 2006
Contact:
Mary E. McCrank
Media Relations Officer
(585) 245-5516
SUNY Geneseo Graduate to Fight Poverty
Through AmeriCorps VISTA Program
GENESEO, N.Y.—The
State University of New York at Geneseo has welcomed the AmeriCorps VISTA
program back to its campus this fall after a four-year absence. Scott Hangauer,
a 2006 graduate of Geneseo, will coordinate the program, which aims to help the
10.8 percent of Livingston County's population who are living in poverty.
The VISTA (Volunteers in
Service to America) program was created by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964 as
part of the "War on Poverty." Since 1964, the program has been incorporated
into President Bill Clinton's AmeriCorps program. The goal of fighting poverty
is one aspect of the program that has not changed.
Hangauer has spent much of
his college career preparing himself for this type of work. "I worked a lot
with Habitat for Humanity in college," says Hangauer. "I've also traveled to
New Orleans to rebuild homes in the Upper 9th Ward after Hurricane
Katrina."
"I applied for this job last
year because it fit my interests well and I wanted to stay in Geneseo. I
eventually want to be a guidance counselor, and doing this kind of work ties in
very well with my goal," says Hangauer. Although Hangauer enjoys his job and
has experience in the field, there is a bigger reason compelling him to fight
poverty here in Livingston County.
"I feel that we all have a
duty to give back to the community and our country," says Hangauer. "Being a
part of this program is just like being a part of the military. I feel a strong
sense of duty to serve my country, and I've chosen to do that in this way.
There is a sense of honor that goes along with being part of this
program."
The AmeriCorps VISTA program
will fight poverty in three different ways. "First, we will create a database
of all the different community services that are available in our county," says
Hangauer. "We will design a database for administrators who are trying to
connect people to these services and a database for the residents themselves
who are looking into these services. We will incorporate any organization that
provides a service to the needy in Livingston County, from local churches to
food pantries."
"Our second task will be to
start a mentoring program aimed at convincing juniors and seniors in local high
schools, who are unsure about advancing their education, to develop the necessary
confidence to do so," says Hangauer. "We want to familiarize low-income
students with the process of going to college or vocational school and then
help them achieve their goals."
"We also plan on starting a
housing rehabilitation program," says Hangauer. "I want to recruit both college
students and expert craftspeople to provide small home rehabilitation services,
such as winterizing a home, to those who can't afford it."
"So far, the reaction on
campus has been great. When I tell people about the projects, they are almost
always interested in helping. It is exciting and inspiring to see how many
Geneseo students want to give back to their community," says Hangauer.
Hangauer's VISTA program is
funded with a $10,800 grant from the Corporation for National and Community
Service.
Hangauer is hoping to
recruit approximately 20 students for the mentoring program and 30 students for
the home rehabilitation program. Interested volunteers may contact Hangauer at hangauer@geneseo.edu or (585) 245-5186.
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Written by Joe Mignano,
public relations intern in the Office of Communications and Publications.