Iona Mass Communications Students Get Hands-On Experience Working with Westchester Arc

By Victoria Arrigo '10 Public Relations Intern

On Sunday November 8, 2009, Iona students took part in an art gallery event at Westchester Arc, a center in Hawthorne New York for children and adults with developmental disabilities. The Iona students, who are mass communications majors, are enrolled in the Public Relations Case Studies course, taught by Dr. Natalie Redcross. Students in this class spent the past two months working in collaboration with the public relations department of Westchester Arc to create this event. Dr. Redcross broke up the class into committees of five establishing different tasks leading up to the event. Committees included events, media, and research.

Dr. Natalie Redcross, Iona professor of mass communications and Melissa Lang, marketing director of Westchester Arc are surrounded by students who participated in the art gallery event.

The mission of Westchester Arc is to empower children and adults with developmental disabilities to achieve their potential based on personal choices, abilities, and interests. The Foundation's mission is to increase public awareness and to raise financial support from the community. The event on November 8 was called "Color My World." The event included pieces of art work from over 40 high school students in Westchester County. Art work ranged from drawings and paintings to hand-made pieces. High schools that participated were, Mount Vernon High School, New Rochelle High School, and White Plains High School. For students in Dr. Redcross' class, this event was a very rewarding experience, because it was interactive and hands-on.  Senior Katie Nolan stated, "I was really happy to be involved with the Westchester Arc Campaign. I feel they, do a great job providing opportunities for the developmentally disabled. The event was really nice and everyone enjoyed themselves. There were definitely many creative works of art from participants."

Since Westchester Arc is a non-profit organization, Iona students were responsible for putting the event together working simply off of donations. Students went to Stop & Shop and other locations in order to attain donations of food and drink for the event. Also donated by students for this event was, the prizes winners would receive. Family members of student Erin Brown were able to donate several gift certificates including, five $25 gift certificates to Applebee's, Fridays, Dave & Busters, Chili's, and The Olive Garden (donated by John and Pat Brown.) and one $25 gift certificate to Golf quest driving range donated by Tom Brown. Also donated by student Mia Dellacava was an art gift basket. This event was both beneficial to helping the staff of Westchester Arc, as well as helpful for the students because it allowed for them to see inside the world of working for a non-profit organization. Leading up to the event, students worked hand-in-hand with Westchester Arc's director of Marketing and Public Affairs, Melissa Lang. Ms. Lang was pleased with the work the students had put into the event and the time they dedicated. She stated, "In a non-profit organization such as Westchester Arc, resources are limited. Students of Dr. Redcross' class have been extremely helpful during the time leading up to the event up to the day of the actual event and their help with the Art Gallery is greatly appreciated."

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For questions or more information please contact:
Dawn Insanalli
Public Relations Office
Iona College, 715 North Avenue, New Rochelle, N.Y. 10801
Office: (914) 637-2726
Fax: (914) 637-2711
dinsanalli@iona.edu