Frank Voltattorni

Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA, Lewis University, Fairmont Community

Background Statistics Anti-Poverty Measures

Fairmont is a small, unincorporated neighborhood sandwiched
between Lockport and Joliet and due to disinvestment and a One goal of the year was to provide affordable, high quality after
variety of other issues, the community is currently struggling, school programming to the low-income students of Fairmont. To
but on an upwards trajectory. To list a few, Fairmont is in a address this priority, several partnerships were formed and expanded.
food desert and has a strong need for after school For example, Lewis partnered with Play for Rings, an after-school
programming, tutoring and basketball program. This partnership was built over year
To help address the needs of the Fairmont community one, but during year two the VISTA connected the CEO of the
expressed to Lewis University, they were appointed an program to Lewis Universities’ Innovation Hub, a Regional Business
AmeriCorps VISTA in 2019. After building a coalition of over Incubator. This will allow the program to have full access to Lewis
40 people, many of these needs were addressed. After year University’s resources while also providing office space. Normally,
one, over 25 unique partnerships were created. However,
this would come at a cost, but through anti poverty conversations, we
collaboration needed to continue to focus on maintaining these
partnerships and building new ones focusing on sustainability,
we’re able to build a mutually beneficial relationship. All free of cost
healthy futures, and after school programming.
to the Play for Rings program. This allows to program to move
forward in marketing, data collection and more.

Capacity Building Efforts Challenges/ Future Plans

The Fairmont-Lewis Coalition is the driving force behind understanding the
needs of the community and how best to address them. On September 30th, Challenges were faced this year, however, with the support of my amazing supervisor along
2019, the Fairmont-Lewis Coalition had its first meeting and was facilitated with support from my fellow Campus Compact members most were solved. Honestly, the
by the VISTA. Since then, the VISTA has expanded this coalition and built only true challenge is working through a pandemic. Lewis University Covid-19 policy did
sustainability into it. Using tools like a google drive, populated with several not allow students to participate in off-campus Community Engaged Learning. This had an
documents for data tracking, learning, and history of projects and the impact on the work we could do in the community. Through creativity we we’re able to make
community. The VISTA also assured this coalition will thrive by building a an immense impact on the community despite the challenges of not being able to meet in
Fairmont Team of student leaders that will aid in assuring this coalition person or working through a worldwide pandemic.
continues to grow and expand. This year, thirteen of the organizations Moving more towards the conversation of sustainability. The VISTA has been working with
involved in this coalition received capacity building services including After two student leaders who committed to a year of acting as a liaison between Fairmont and
the Peanut, an after-school STEAM program, the Community Engaged Lewis while also helping to maintain and build partnerships in Fairmont. These two will act
Learning Facilitator Program, Fairmont’s Micro Pantry, Fairmont School as the first of a cycle of student leaders who will have overlapping years of service so that the
Learning Garden, as well as Fairmont Community Garden. Another great passage of information and relationships are insured. This cycle of student leaders will ensure
example, would be connecting Fairmont School to Lewis’ Early Language that my work is continued along with the help of my supervisor. This will also provide
Learners course to help break language and cultural barriers in Fairmont. students with an amazing opportunity to make real social change, while building up
These statistics represent over 35 unique variations of ways Fairmont and Lewis has partnered professional development skills, practice community asset mapping, relationship building,
in the time the VISTA has been in place. Despite the effects of the pandemic, this information and social justice initiatives.
shows the amount of impact Lewis University and its students can have when their efforts are
focused on a particular social justice cause. It represents not only the mission of Lewis
University, but also the F-LC and AmeriCorps Campus Compact.
 Unincorporated Lockport Township
 “During project year two, the AmeriCorps VISTA will continue
working to build a strong, collaborative relationship between
Lewis University and the Fairmont community”

 Expanding educational access to after school programming

 Expanding in response to community priorities focused on

growing, providing access to, and learning about healthy food
 Building on the work of the previous year, the VISTA will utilize
the newly formed Fairmont-Lewis Coalition (F-LC) to
strengthen communication between Lewis University and the
Fairmont Community
 Identify opportunities for stabilizing and sustaining
engagement between Lewis University and the Fairmont
Community

◦ Covid 19 and it’s challenges

◦ Early Language Learners

 Assist in engaging Lewis University student leaders in
sustaining initiatives established in the Fairmont Community.

◦ Building the Fairmont CELF Team

 Expand sustainability and food access initiatives in Fairmont

◦ Hydroponic Systems and BTEC

◦ Micro Pantry Awareness

◦ Garden Support
 Sustain and expand previously established after school
programming and explore the development of new
opportunities.

◦ Play for Rings

◦ After the Peanut

◦ Early Language Learners

 80 Community Volunteers
 273 Service Hours

 In kind donations

◦ 1550 dollars
 Some were faced, but most were resolved

 Covid 19

◦ Offering support in any way I can

◦ Move towards more direct service

 Cycle of CELFs

◦ Multiple Fairmont based CELFs

◦ Pass down information and responsibilities

 Laura Wilmarth Tyna

 DeLinda Herod

 Campus Compact and AmeriCorps