News Releases

October 24, 2006—New Rochelle, NY—The United States Department of Health and Human Services has awarded Iona College a grant of just under $250,000 in support of an innovative after school program called New Rochelle RISE (Reach for Individual Success and Empowerment) that will serve children from low-income families living in the city’s public housing. The grant is renewable for the next two years (for a total of nearly $750,000) and will be administered by the Office of Minority Health. RISE is one of only 17 Youth Empowerment Demonstration Programs throughout the country to be awarded grants this year.

Through RISE, Iona will partner with 10 local organizations including the City School District of New Rochelle, Sound Shore Medical Center, and Boys & Girls Clubs of New Rochelle in providing comprehensive services to 50 students and their families so that their academic, social, emotional, and medical needs can be addressed. Jeanne Matich-Maroney, Ph.D., Associate Professor of social work, said, “Iona is the lead agency but this is definitely a community endeavor. Our hope is that RISE will be seen as belonging to New Rochelle.”

Dr. Fred Smith, Assistant Superintendent for the City School District of New Rochelle, explained that by coordinating existing resources, “this program will offer the type of services that provide protection and relief while increasing resiliency for children who are exposed to violence. I think we’re going to have a lot of positive reactions from the families involved.”

RISE project director Robyn Brown-Manning, an assistant professor of social work at Iona, said, “We look at these young people as being ‘at-promise’ rather than ‘at-risk.’ They have the potential to reach great heights and will rise to wonderful possibilities when given the opportunity.”

Iona students will participate at the center as tutors and mentors, while social work majors will gain field work experience through internships. The program is scheduled to begin in January 2007. A location will be determined shortly.

Founded in 1940 by the Congregation of Christian Brothers, Iona College is a private, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of American Catholic higher education. Iona, currently listed in the US News and World Report's annual "America's Best Colleges 2007" and The Princeton Review's Best Northeastern Colleges 2007 and Best 237 Business Schools 2006, offers undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science, and business administration, as well as master of arts, master of science and master of business administration degrees and numerous post-graduate certificate programs.

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For questions or more information please contact:
Cecilia Donohoe
Public Relations Office
Iona College, 715 North Avenue, New Rochelle, N.Y. 10801
tel: (914) 633-2005 fax: (914) 637-2711
cdonohoe@iona.edu

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