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    • Home
    • About Us
    • What is VISTA?
    • Benefits of Service
    • VISTA FAQs
    • Meet the VISTAs
    • Info for Host Sites
    • Resources
  • Home
  • About Us
  • What is VISTA?
  • Benefits of Service
  • VISTA FAQs
  • Meet the VISTAs
  • Info for Host Sites
  • Resources

Lake Effect Leaders

Lake Effect Leaders Lake Effect Leaders Lake Effect Leaders

AmeriCorps VISTA Project in Erie, PA

AmeriCorps VISTA Project in Erie, PAAmeriCorps VISTA Project in Erie, PA

About Us

Children And Youth VISTA Project

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

Coordinating Commitee

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

Coordinating Commitee

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


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