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Penn State Academic Partnership
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A multi-year project, announced June
2005, was the partnership of Penn State Altoona to create an
academically-focused Community Outreach Partnership to provide
students hands on experience and improve Authority residents
daily lives.
 A press conference was held Friday, June 10th, at the Eleventh
Street Tower Community Room to unveil plans of the partnership.
Representatives from Penn State Altoona, including Project
Director Dan Lago, and the Housing Authority enthusiastically
spoke of the program.
Community residents of Fairview Hills and Green Avenue/Eleventh
Street Towers will receive valuable life lessons from students
and faculty of the university in many areas of emphasis. Whether
money saving economic skills are needed, living a healthier
lifestyle, or simply learning how to operate a computer there is
something for every resident to benefit from.
At the center of the project is Coordinator, Susanna Tomlinson,
who has worked to integrate faculty and students with education
programs that are geared to serve Authority residents. On a
broader scale, other participating organizations that have
provided input include Blair Senior Services, law enforcement,
and local health agencies to provide strengthening links to the
plans.
Regular meetings between Penn State Altoona and Authority staff
serve to create project goals. Programs have already been
implemented to orientate students with real life experiences. An
example, Mommy & Me Program, is designed to meet social
and emotional needs of parents and young children at Fairview
Hills. Another creative outlet planned for upcoming evenings,
Sharing Your Life Story, is geared for Towers residents to
publish life experiences in a personal development workshop. For
those music enthusiasts, free tickets and transportation for
Towers residents to Penn State Altoona hosted student concerts
provide terrific entertainment opportunities.
 Also computer laboratories have already been implemented at the
communities to educate residents with the values of information
technology. Other programs involving nursing students geared
towards healthier living and the involvement of the criminal
justice division to offer crime and personal safety expertise
add programming depth.
A Human Development and Family Studies student-intern,
supervised by Child Advocates of Blair County, has already
served during the fall term assisting the Head Start program at
Fairview Hills. Another HDFS major will work with Blair Senior
Services at the Towers this spring, with another, a Criminal
Justice major, lending expertise in the fall of 2006.
Programs and services are already benefiting residents, with
many more to come in this growing partnership. Fairview Hills
and Towers residents will surely appreciate and gain valuable
lessons from Penn State Altoona faculty and students.
Amanda Ritchey, Human Development and Family Studies major, has
completed her internship during the Fall 2005 semester. Amanda
worked with Child Advocates of Blair County primarily assisting
the Head Start Program at Fairview Hills. Another HDFS intern,
Angela Bendahan, is working during the Spring 2006 semester with
Blair Senior Services assisting Tower residents. Nine courses
taught by Penn State Altoona professors have also provided
programs for residents to enjoy. Residents can look forward to
new programs and activities in the upcoming years. |
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