About Us
Project Beginning
In 2003, the Lake Effect Leaders project began as The Children & Youth AmeriCorps VISTA Project of Northwestern Pennsylvania. As a collaborative effort of Allegheny College, Edinboro University, Gannon University and Mercyhurst college, the project was built to serve nonprofit agencies addressing the needs of under-served children and youth living in Erie and Crawford counties. Three years later, the project transformed into The Lake Effect Leaders AmeriCorps VISTA project in 2006.
Project Now
Today, the Lake Effect Leaders is a multi-county intermediary AmeriCorps VISTA Program Grant that serves as a pipeline for nonprofit leadership development. Led by a partnership consisting of Allegheny College, Gannon University, and Mercyhurst University, the program professionally equips VISTA members to serve critical capacity-building functions in nonprofit organizations in order to eliminate poverty. 22 VISTA members are currently serving with the project.
Project Future
Lake Effect Leaders strives to build the next generation of nonprofit leaders for Northwestern Pennsylvania by harnessing the skills and passions of recent college graduates, as well as training and mentoring in best practices of nonprofit management.
Lake Effect Leadership
Gabrielle Bradshaw
Lake Effect Leaders AmeriCorps VISTA Project Director
Colin Hurley
Director of Community Engagement at Mercyhurst University
Coordinating Committee Member
Erika Ramalho
Director of Community and Government Relations at Gannon University
Coordinating Committee Member
Dave Roncolato
Director of Civic Engagement at Allegheny College
Coordinating Committee Member
Taryn Vanaskie
Program Officer
Corporation for National and Community Service/PA State Office: Philadelphia
Bernard Brown
State Program Director
Corporation for National and Community Service/PA State Office: Philadelphia