Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date: 9/16/99
      Contact:                           Christina Chapple   122

Editors: Photo accompanies release   Please note local interest
SLU RECRUITING STUDENTS FOR VISTA POSITIONS
     HAMMOND -- Southeastern Louisiana University's social work program is recruiting
four graduating seniors through the federal program Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA)
to work with the university's new Family Resource Project.
     The Family Resource Project, funded through a three-year $600,000 contract with the
state Department of Social Services' Office of Community Services, will partner with state and
community agencies to provide family support services for rural parishes south of Baton Rouge,
said Alan Kirk, director of Southeastern's social work program. 
     Kirk said the project will create a "state of the art lab" for social work students while
providing "real services for people" and offering service-learning opportunities for students in
disciplines such as nursing, business and education. Southeastern social work instructor Jerry
Patton will direct the Family Resource Project full time, Kirk said.  
     Patton said the Family Resource Project will begin offering services next year.
Meanwhile, he and Kal Roshto, a 1999 social work graduate who is now serving with Delta
Service Corps, and Cathy Corbin, a social work senior and Delta Service Corps intern, are busy
getting the project underway.
     One of Patton's first objectives is to fill the four VISTA service provider positions.
     In return for one year's service, VISTA service providers receive a living stipend, health
and life insurance, day care and, at the end of their service, a $4,700 education award that can be
used to pay college loans or tuition for further education.
     "We are actively recruiting right now," Patton said. "This is an excellent opportunity for
anyone tuned-in to community service. Service with VISTA is a nice bridge between college and 
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FAMILY RESOURCE PROJECT   Add One
graduate school or professional life. Not only is it a great resume-builder, but participants receive
high quality training in areas such as team building, people skills and public relations."
     Patton said the Family Resource Center's VISTA service providers will be involved in
task such as identifying community resources, recruiting project mentors and tutors, and grant
writing.
     Patton said graduating seniors in any discipline who are interested in interviewing for the
Family Resource Project's VISTA positions can contact him at 504-549-2080 or
jpatton@selu.edu.
     He said the positions must be filled by early December, so those interested should contact
him promptly to schedule an interview.
                             -SLU-
     This press release is available on the World Wide Web:
      www.selu.edu/NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/newsf99.htm