The Panel group

Rosanne Haggery

A College of Social Sciences sponsored lecture/panel discussion, entitled “Community Development & NPOs -The Challenge of New York’s Common Ground,” held on October 31st was a resounding success. The audience was packed with not only Rits students but journalists, public servants and human rights activists.

Audience members asked questions and listened to the experiences of Roseanne Haggerty, president of the New York-based NPO Common Ground. Common Ground is a “non-profit housing and community development organization whose mission is to solve homelessness” by not only refurbishing old buildings but by providing support services such as medical care, counselling, job training and job placement.

Ms. Haggerty described some of the NPO’s activities in New York, and emphasized the importance of collaboration between the administration, business, NPOs, and citizens in working together to solve homelessness.