520 N. Main Street, Meadville, PA 16335, US
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, Mercyhurst University and Penn State Behrend, the program professionally equips VISTA members to serve critical capacity-building functions in nonprofit organizations in order to eliminate poverty. 20 VISTA members and 1 VISTA Leader are currently serving with the project.
Project Future
Lake Effect Leaders is building the next generation of community leaders by harnessing the skills and passions of service members, as well as training and mentoring in best practices of capacity building and sustainability.
Lake Effect Leadership
Ben Helkowski
Ben Helkowski
Ben Helkowski
Lake Effect Leaders AmeriCorps VISTA
Project Director
Kate Robb
Ben Helkowski
Ben Helkowski
Lake Effect Leaders AmeriCorps VISTA
Project Coordinator
Colin Hurley
Colin Hurley
Colin Hurley
Director of Community Engagement at Mercyhurst University
Coordinating Committee Member
Chris Fox
Colin Hurley
Colin Hurley
Assistant Director of Civic Engagement and the Smith Chapel at Penn State Behrend
Coordinating Committee Member
Dave Roncolato
Dave Roncolato
Dave Roncolato
Director of Civic Engagement at Allegheny College
Coordinating Committee Member
Colleen Homer
Dave Roncolato
Dave Roncolato
Portfolio Manager
Corporation for National and Community Service/PA State Office: Philadelphia
Erika Ramalho
Dave Roncolato
Erika Ramalho
Director of Community and Government Relations at Gannon University
Coordinating Committee Member
