Damali Donovan has been with United Way of Erie County as an AmeriCorps Vista through Lake Effect Leaders since August 2019. Damali is providing capacity building support to United Way’s community schools and Raising Readers, our local Campaign for Grade-Level Reading.
Damali is an integral part of United Way’s Community Impact Team. She provides constant support by working on projects focused on creating efficiencies and generating collaboration. As part of this work, she completes research projects, actively participates in planning meetings, shares information from webinars, and completes capacity-building projects in support of community school needs.
Additionally, Damali is very actively involved in United Way’s Raising Readers initiative. She has been working tirelessly on the Safe Routes to School initiative – ensuring all students get to school safely and on time. As part of this project, Damali is using data to create the maps of where the Walking Routes to School signs will be installed and is working to ensure the signs effectively placed for optimal student and driver visibility. With her work complete for McKinley Elementary School, she is now focused on the placement of signs for 4 of additional community schools – Edison Elementary, Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary, East, and Strong Vincent. These signs will be installed over the summer in advance of next school year. This project is a huge undertaking and would not have been possible without Damali!
United Way extends heartfelt thanks to Damali and all VISTAs in our region for their hard work and dedication to make an impact in our community.