SUNY Fredonia’s Community Partners Program announced today that the Child Advocacy Program of Chautauqua County, Chautauqua Area Habitat for Humanity, and CBA Vision Rehabilitation Services have been selected for the annual project in the public relations major capstone course.
"In genuine partnerships, each partner benefits from the relationship, and that's clearly what this program has been since its inception in 2001,” said SUNY Fredonia president Virginia Horvath. “Organizations benefit from the public relations assistance that students provide, amd students have the opportunity to bring theory to actual practice, deepening their knowledge and better preparing them for work in the field. I'm proud of this program that exemplifies community engagement as a valuable part of learning and citizenship."
The announcement was made at a news conference held at SUNY Fredonia.
All three of the organizations selected strive to assist and improve the Chautauqua County community. Chautauqua Area Habitat for Humanity has been locally operating and building homes since 1989. The nonprofit addresses the issues of poverty housing by helping low-income families obtain a decent and affordable home to live in.
CBA Vision Rehabilitation Services has been providing assistance to blind and visually impaired individuals in the community since 1921. The staff works with individuals in their own setting to sustain and enhance their independence.
CAP of Chautauqua County has provided victims of child abuse a safe place to tell their story for nearly 20 years. Its goal is to put an end to physical and sexual child abuse in Chautauqua County. The program strives to educate individuals in the area, change behaviors, and bring justice to child victims and their families.
SUNY Fredonia’s Community Partners Program provides students with the opportunity to gain valuable "real life" experience in a public relations position. Students are able to utilize the knowledge and skills they have acquired in the classroom in a real-world setting. The students divide into groups that act as public relations "firms." During the course of the semester, the group works to develop a strategic public relations plan to help the organization it has been assigned to assist. At the end of the semester, groups "pitch" their work to the organizations for implementation.
For more information on this year's Community Partners Program, contact Ann Carden, associate professor of communication, at 716-673-3822 or ann.carden@fredonia.edu.
SUNY Fredonia is a comprehensive, public, liberal arts university in Western New York that offers bachelor's and master's degrees and advanced certificate programs. With a founding date of 1826, SUNY Fredonia is among the oldest universities in the SUNY system.
