FULTON, NY – Students participating in the CYO Summer Program recently spent some quality time making greeting cards for the residents at Michaud Nursing Home in Fulton.
Under the guidance of Danielle Crisafulli and Daniel Bobbett, who spent the summer as AmeriCorps workers with Catholic Charities’ CYO Summer Program, students in the program created handmade cards for the Michaud residents.
Joining them in the project was Hannah Burgess, an AmeriCorps worker at Fort Ontario in Oswego.
Crisafulli, Bobbett, and Burgess hand-delivered the cards to the residents and entertained them with music and songs.
The event was part of the AmeriCorps workers’ community outreach project.
As part of the requirements of AmeriCorps service, each of the members has to complete an outreach project to benefit the community.
Crisafulli and Bobbett thought involving the students in the CYO program would be an excellent community project that would bring two generations together for some fun and much appreciated companionship.
The residents enjoyed receiving the cards and the entertainment as Burgess on violin and Crisafulli on piano played a wide variety of musical selections.
“It was heartwarming to see the smiles on the faces of the residents. It was an experience that everyone enjoyed and benefited from,†said Crisafulli.
CYO coordinator Jim Smiley praised Crisafulli and Bobbett’s efforts and was happy to be able to have the AmeriCorps workers on staff.
“It had been a pleasure to have Danielle and Dan on our staff,†said Smiley. “They enjoy what they do and truly care about making sure that the children enjoyed our summer program. We are fortunate that we have such a good relationship with the AmeriCorps program. It is a great program that benefits both the students and the organizations that utilize the AmeriCorps members.â€Â
AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs that engages more than 50,000 Americans each year in intensive service to meet critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment.
AmeriCorps members serve through more than 2,100 nonprofits, public agencies, and faith-based organizations.
The Oswego County AmeriCorps Program focuses on services for children and families.
Members mentor youth, plan and supervise out of school activities and manage volunteers.
This year, 39 members will serve at schools, libraries, recreation programs and human service agencies throughout Oswego County.
As a part of the Corporation for National and Community Service, AmeriCorps, together with the USA Freedom Corps is working together to build a culture of citizenship, service and responsibility in America.
The main goals of AmeriCorps are:
Getting things done and solving local issues
Strengthening society and uniting individuals
Encouraging responsibility
Expanding opportunities by gaining valuable experiences, specialized training, and other important life skills.
AmeriCorps’ focus on services for children is a perfect fit for Catholic Charities’ CYO Summer Program that provides recreational and educational opportunities to dozens of children in our community.
Kathy Andolina, program coordinator of AmeriCorps in Oswego County, who is pleased to have Crisafulli and Bobbett working with the CYO Summer Program and Burgess working at Fort Ontario, recognizes the important impact that AmeriCorps has on Oswego County.
“For the past 12 years, AmeriCorps members have provided a range of services for youth and families in Oswego County,†said Andolina. “It is a mutually rewarding experience as local agencies that serve youth benefit from having additional staff while AmeriCorps members benefit by receiving valuable experience and an education award that can be used to continue their education or pay off student loans.â€Â
Fort Ontario’s summer program brings the fort alive with special events and re-enactments including activities for kids occurring daily throughout the summer.
For more information on the program, call Paul Lear at 343-4711.
The CYO Summer Recreation program is funded in part by the United Way of Greater Oswego County, the NYS Office of Children and Families, and the City-County Youth Bureau of Oswego County.
For more information on the program, call Smiley at 598-3980.
Catholic Charities of Oswego County serves all people in need regardless of their religious affiliation.
Primary funding sources for Catholic Charities of Oswego County programs are the United Way of Greater Oswego County, the Diocesan Hope Appeal, the County of Oswego, and private donations by individuals, local companies, and organizations.
missing or outdated ad config