September 2009

FROM BILL MAGNARELLI

District: 333 East Washington St., Syracuse, 13202 (315)248-9651 Albany: LOB 519, Albany, 12248 (518)455-4826

120th Assembly District

magnarw@assembly.state.ny.us

Students participating in the OnPoint for College organization show the supplies they received from the $10,000 grant Assemblyman Magnarelli secured.

From left to right: Bilal Bey, attending St. John's University; Quang Phan, attending Pace University; Assemblyman Magnarelli; Oriana Kyles, attending Herkimer County Community College; and Ginny Donohue, executive director of OnPoint for College.

•  Assemblyman Magnarelli visited OnPoint for College to meet incoming freshman who received college supplies bought with a $10,000 state grant he secured for the program.

The grant was used to send about 300 students off to their first year of college with bedding and a backpack filled with supplies, including a calculator, notebook, alarm clock, dictionary and toiletries. OnPoint also used the grant to help finance enrollment and housing deposits for students with financial need.

"As students came to us for help, we did not have to turn anyone away because we couldn't help them with enrollment fees, housing deposits or supplies," said Ginny Donohue, founder and executive director of OnPoint for College, Inc.

OnPoint helped 1,789 students enroll in 170 colleges and universities since 1999. Ninety-eight percent of the students are the first in their family to go to college. OnPoint staff and mentors help the college students through the enrollment process and college with tutoring, transportation, housing and supplies.

"OnPoint for College is an outstanding local non-profit that helps relieve the stress of economic and environmental barriers for local students from low-income families," said Magnarelli. "It is a pleasure to see a state grant being used to help students who have struggled and continue to struggle against the odds to pursue their higher education."

•  Onondaga Community College President Dr. Debbie Sydow visited Assemblyman Magnarelli's office to discuss current financial and enrollment figures. She also gave him a poster that students designed promoting the college.

•  Assemblyman Magnarelli presented Loretto at Sedgwick Heights a proclamation acknowledging their 10th anniversary as an assisted living and adult home residential center.

•  Assemblyman Magnarelli visited the Northside CYO recently to see how a $50,000 state grant was used for air conditioning throughout the building and to renovate the media room and conference room.

"We have hundreds of kids in programs in the building. During the summer, it can get very hot and be a distraction," said Felicia Castricone, director of the Northside CYO. "This makes it a much nicer atmosphere for everyone."

The Northside CYO is a neighborhood center that operates through Catholic Charities. The building is used for numerous youth and refugee resettlement programs and other neighborhood services throughout the day.

"The Northside CYO is a great organization that has a long history of helping various members of the community through numerous programs throughout the year," said Assemblyman William B. Magnarelli. "This grant offers them comfort by renovating rooms in the building used for programs and by adding air conditioning to the building that is used by so many."

•  Governor Paterson and Assemblyman Magnarelli pose with McGruff the Crime Dog at the State Police Exhibit at the New York State Fair.

•  Assemblyman Magnarelli and other elected officials laugh at Governor David Paterson's joke during the opening ceremonies Thursday at the New York State Fair.

•  Governor Paterson and Assemblyman Magnarelli take a photo with New York State Troopers during their tour of the New York State Fair.

•  A constituent takes time out from her day at the Fair to thank Assemblyman Magnarelli for his annual Christmas card.

•  Assemblyman Magnarelli met up with the original members of the rock'n'roll revival group Sha Na Na , Jocko Marcellino and Donny York, during their visit to St. Camillus Health and Rehabilitation Center. The Assemblyman joined residents in listening to the duo, after they had performed at the Fair.

•  Assemblyman Magnarelli addresses a crowd at the Veterans Memorial Service at the New York State Fair.