“The mission of Cabrini is rooted in the Sisters of the Sacred Heart. This office focuses on bringing that mission into life and action by involving the Cabrini student body in service to the community,” Christa Angeloni, an Americorps/Vista member, said.
Angeloni is completing a year of service to the Cabrini campus. She describes the mission of Americorps as a dedication to the war on poverty. She is a member of the Pennsylvania Compact, which sends an Americorps volunteer to a college campus in order to organize students in service.
Here at Cabrini, service is focused on the diverse population of nearby Norristown. Also organizing service in Norristown is Tammy Fritz. Tammy completed her year of service with Americorps last year. She works creating after school programs for children ages four through eight. These programs introduce kids to a college environment. Some of the activities the children participate in are campus tours and science experiments.
One of the most innovative programs is called Acclamo. This program focuses on aiding the Latino children’s population. This program is an afterschool homework program for Spanish speaking children.
Fritz described a typical situation that occurs in a largely Latino area, such as Norristown. Often times the children are fluent in English, however, their parents are not. This creates a problem for the children in completing homework assignments and studying for tests. Acclamo strives to see the scholastic success of all Latino children.
Fritz was placed here at Cabrini and has been enacting her expertise with direct service and organization ever since. During her Americorps year she worked in Norristown with many after school programs such as Acclamo and another called Twenty-First Century. She also worked with the hospitality center and the Police Athletic League.
Upcoming events include Homeless and Hunger Awareness week which focuses on raising funds and awareness here on campus.
Fritz and Angeloni are enjoying the experience at Cabrini. Angeloni described her Americorps time at Cabrini, “It is a positive working environment, a constant network of support. Americorps provides a source of resources and ideas.”
Tammy Fritz and Christa Angeloni both have offices in the Wolfington Center.
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