Students making a “push against poverty”
New student organization answers the call of those in need

WHO:

The CSU Department of Student Life and student Daniel Graves, founder of a new student organization dedicated to helping families in the community through giving and volunteering

WHAT:

Press Conference
Push Against Poverty, a Grassroots Youth Coalition Working to Eradicate Poverty

WHEN:

Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE:

Glickman-Miller Hall Atrium, the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, 1717 Euclid Ave.

WHY:

To announce the official kickoff of Push Against Poverty in Cleveland. Push Against Poverty is a grassroots youth coalition that began in Mount Vernon, Ohio by Daniel Graves to bring young people together to collaborate with community leaders, nonprofits, and public officials to fight poverty.

THOSE IN ATTENDANCE to offer support for the Push Against Poverty initiative include:

• Peter Lawson Jones , Cuyahoga County Commissioner
• Martin Sweeney, Cleveland City Council President
• T.J. Dow, Cleveland City Council Member
• Zack Reed, Cleveland City Council Member
• Terrell Pruitt, Cleveland City Council Member
• Ken Johnson, Cleveland City Council Member
• Mike Polensek, Cleveland City Council Member
• Brian Cummins, Cleveland City Council Member
• Robert Frost, Chairman, Cuyahoga County Republican Party
• Grace Drake, Former State Senator and Former Chairwoman of Cuyahoga County Republican
• Patrick Sweeney, Former State Senator
• Dr. C. Jay Matthews, President, United Pastors in Mission
• Rabbi Richard Block
• Leonard M. Calabrese, President, Catholic Community Connection
• Jerome Walcott, Catholic Social Action
• Chris Ronayne, President, University Circle, Inc.
• Jessica Gonzalez, Executive Director, Esperanza
• Gregory Ashe, Director, Karamu House
• Pamela Holmes, Director, Cleveland Clinic Community Outreach Department
• Dr. Ronnie Dunn, CSU Levin College of Urban Affairs
• Dr. Mittie Jones, Levin College
• Dr. Christine Ladvinka, Levin College
• Dr. Murali Nair, CSU College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

* * *

Push Against Poverty is a tested and proven winner and the creation of CSU freshman Daniel Graves, who developed the program while a high school student in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. Now at CSU, Graves is bringing the program to the city of Cleveland and has rallied the support of numerous city, county and state officials along with the University’s administration.

With few operating funds but the gritty determination of Graves and a handful – so far – of volunteers, Push Against Poverty promises to establish a network of support for those in need in many ways.

For additional information, contact Daniel Graves at 216.287.6965 or Carl Pantejo (Grassroots Coordinator): pushagainstpoverty@gmail.com.

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