News Release:
June 13, 2005
            
Media Contact:
Mike Andrei
Director-College Relations
(716) 839-8472

Danielle M. Woodman
Academic Grants Coordinator
839-8483
            
            


The CSCCE receives $43,000 for West Side Partnership
In April, 2004, Daemen College received a check of $43,000 from the Bettina Weary Trust to support The Daemen College-West Side Partnership, a project of the Center for Sustainable Communities and Civic Engagement. Funds from the Trust will be used to provide staff and supplies to support civics education, English education, and citizenship activities for children and families on the West Side.

Geographically the West Side is one of the most disadvantaged and blighted areas of the City of Buffalo. 39% of individuals live below the poverty line. The 2000 census reports that 50% of households had an income of less than $20,000. This neighborhood is also one of the City’s most ethnically and economically diverse, with a large immigrant community. 30% of the population is Hispanic or Latino. Of the 2621 (7%) of individuals in the West Side Community who are foreign born, only 991 (38%) are naturalized citizens.

The following are some examples of the activities of Daemen faculty, staff, and students in the Daemen College-West Side Partnership:
  • In January of 2004, Daemen’s West Side Coordinator and Daemen students facilitated the first West Side Youth Congress—a forum for students to discuss their concerns and meet with civic leadership in the community. Daemen students have been working with 18 youth representing 10 West Side agencies youth to support civics education and civic engagement.
  • On Election Day 2004, Daemen partnered with Kids Voting USA, where youth cast ballots, voting on the same candidates and issues as the adults. Daemen staffed 13 West Side polling stations, using Daemen students and CSSCE staff as volunteers. Over 1000 students voted in the November 2004 election through this project.
  • In May 2004 and in April 2005, youth from the West Side attended “Daemen Day” at the College. This event provides high school students the opportunity to see and participate in college life first hand by providing them tours of classrooms, the library, dorms, the chance to play basketball with the Daemen basketball team and the opportunity to eat in the dining hall.
For more information about the Daemen College-West Side partnership, contact Jolene Baller West Side Coordinator.