»Current Fellows
2009-2010
Kaitlin Fitzgerald
School: University of Rochester, Class of '09
Major B.A. in Psychology
Minor English Literature
RYY Host Site: The Center for Youth Services
Project Activities: During Kaitlin's RYY Fellowship, she is further developing the Alternatives to Suspension program (ATS), which is active in 23 schools in the Rochester City School District(RCSD). She is building the capacity of the ATS program to encourage retention and persistence to graduation.
Kyvaughn Henry
School: University of Rochester, Class of '09
Major B.A. in Health and Society
RYY Host Site: Writers & Books
Project Activities: Kyvaughn is coordinating the new after-school and summer literary programs for urban youth. In this capacity, she is designing marketing and publicity campaigns to garner community support and recruit youth participants. She is also building support for new urban literary programs among community stakeholders.
Katie Kreutter
School: St. John Fisher College, Class of '09
Majors: B.A. in Communication/Journalism and Religious Studies
RYY Host Site: Compeer Rochester
Project Activities: At Compeer Rochester, Katie is using the Compendium of Community Resources to connect youth and families experiencing poverty and affected by mental illness to the resources and community assets they need to thrive. In addition, Katie is developing partnerships and recruiting volunteers through active community outreach, including on going participation in community forums.
Laura Lonski
School: SUNY Geneseo, Class of '09
Majors: B.A. in English and Secondary Education
RYY Host Site: World of Inquiry School
Project Activities: Laura is forming community partnerships to increase access to after-school and summer opportunities for students by providing scholarship opportunities to students in financial need. As a result, these experiences are likely to engender a lifelong commitment to learning, cultivate tolerance, and build the confidence necessary to set short and long term goals in the youth.
Matthew Merriman
School: University of Rochester, Class of '09
Major: B.S. in Chemistry
Minor: Biology
RYY Host Site: City of Rochester, Bureau of Recreation: Biz Kid$
Project Activities: Biz Kid$ assists youth ages 10-18 to start their own businesses, which encourages positive entrepreneurship. In order to achieve that end, Matt is recruiting youth participants and adult volunteers/business mentors, as well as planning and implementing field trips and special events. In order to achieve a higher level of participation, he is developing a marketing and publicity campaign for BizKid$.
Jillian Paris
School: Nazareth College, Class of '09
Major: B.A. in Political Science
Minors: Pre-law and Honors Program
RYY Host Site: Pathstone Corporation
Project Activities: This year Jill is identifying community needs in the Marketview Heights area by recruiting residents (youth and adults)of Marketview Heights to participate in the Marketview Heights Collective Action Project (MHCAP). In addition, she is researching and developing community service projects for MHCAP.
Gabriel Perez
School: The College at Brockport, SUNY, Class of '09
Major: B.S. in Health Science
Concentration: Health Care Administration
Minor: Business Administration
RYY Host Site: Monroe County Youth Bureau
Project Activities: Gabe is encouraging local youth to be community leaders through the Youth As Resources(YAR) program, which prepares youth to apply their learning to real world challenges.
Ashley Saile
School: Roberts Wesleyan College, Class of '09
Majors: B.A. in English and Spanish
RYY Host Site: Successful Pathways of YFC
Project Activites: At Sucessful Pathways, Ashley is continuing to develop the mentoring program, which services teen parents and at-risk youth. In so doing, she is recruiting, training, and supporting new volunteer mentors with the overall goal of mentoring an additional thirty youth.
Ferdous Zannat
School: University of Rochester, Class of '09
Major B.S. in Chemistry
Minor: Biology
RYY Host Site: Westside Health Services: Brown Square Health Center
Project Activities: Ferdous is building the capacity of Brown Square Health Center through partnership building. For example, she is assisting in the strategic planning process, as well as the recruitment, training, and management of volunteer health promoters. In return, this agency will increase the availability of relevant health information in the refugee community; have open access to healthcare systems; and connect at risk youth and families with other essential health-related resources.
Jennifer Poole
RYY Program Coordinator
Americorps VISTA Leader
School: Roberts Wesleyan College, Class of '08
Major: B.A. in Contemporary Ministries
Concentration: Music
