Albright College alumna Erin Sullivan has returned to her alma mater to serve as an AmeriCorps volunteer to help support the College’s educational partnership with neighboring 13th and Union Elementary School.
The Coatesville native, who graduated from Albright in May with a degree in communications, will spend a year as a Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA) for the Albright – 13th and Union Partnership. Under the umbrella of the federal AmeriCorps program, VISTA is a national anti-poverty effort through which volunteers focus on fighting illiteracy, improving health services, fostering economic development and other endeavors.
Through the Albright – 13th and Union Partnership, dozens of Albright students from various majors volunteer annually at the elementary school, providing tutoring and homework help, and mentoring and forging strong connections with the children. Albright students also conduct service learning and research projects at the school, and gain real-world experience. Students from 13th and Union visit Albright’s campus each year, participating in enrichment programs in the arts, sciences and humanities.
Sullivan was an active partnership volunteer during her time as a student at Albright. She assisted weekly in the after-school homework center at 13th and Union, and often spoke with the schoolchildren about the importance of continuing their education after high school.
“After going just once, I knew I wanted to continue volunteering and serving as a role model for the kids,” said Sullivan. “Just by being there every week, being there to help, and talking about college, really showed the students that college is possible for them. And it gives them goals: to want to do their homework, to do well in school and to continue their education.”
As a VISTA, Sullivan will recruit, train and oversee the Albright volunteers. She will also engage in community outreach to bolster support between the partnership and its community collaborators.
“I feel very lucky growing up with a very supportive family, school and community,” said Sullivan. “I think that every child deserves that, and this partnership makes that possible. There is so much potential and opportunity for the schools and the community to work together to support the youth in Reading. That’s what makes this partnership so important.”
