Kathleen Tyszko is AmeriCorps Vista liaison

Kathleen Tyszko

The offices of Campus Life and Volunteer and Community Services have acquired an AmeriCorps VISTA grant that will allow student organizations to extend helping hands beyond the borders of the university.

The grant has brought to campus AmeriCorps Vista Volunteer Kathleen Tyszko.

“The primary goal of our project is to increase partnerships and community service between SUNY Fredonia student organizations and community organizations in Chautauqua County, in particular Dunkirk,” Ms. Tyszko explained, noting that particular emphasis will be placed on youths and the elderly. “Through mentoring, tutoring, social events and other activities, student organizations can improve the lives, opportunities and outlook for the disadvantaged population in this county.”

A Dunkirk native and 1995 graduate of Dunkirk High School, Ms. Tyszko earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Buffalo State College and her master’s degree in education from Canisius College. She previously worked with school-age children in Buffalo as a participant in AmeriCorps’ Athletes in Service to America, tutored with Literacy Volunteers and has professional experience as a teacher’s assistant and substitute teacher.

“As a Dunkirk resident and former member of AmeriCorps, Katie has both a good working knowledge of this community and solid field experience,” said Joyce Harvard Smith (Volunteer and Community Services). “She understands the needs of the people in this area and can improve the lives, opportunities and outlooks for these individuals.”

SUNY Fredonia obtained the AmeriCorps VISTA grant with the assistance of the New York Campus Compact, a statewide association of colleges and universities committed to promoting active citizenship as an aim of higher education.

VISTA, Volunteers In Service To America, was founded in 1964 by President Lyndon Johnson. It became part of the AmeriCorps Initiative under the aegis of the Corporation for National and Community Service in 1993.

VISTA programs can serve a number of roles, including community development and capacity building needs - increasing infrastructure for community service, community engagement, economic development, and student involvement in schools and communities.