Katherine Ryan

• Developed a tracking database for Say Yes alumni and made contact with a significant number of students to engage them and strengthen the organization’s network
• Helped coordinate and led a panel discussion on college readiness for the Say Yes Scholar Kick Off
• Created and implemented social media fundraising and awareness campaigns targeted at a youth and small donors
• Successfully wrote a grant proposal for furthering the mission of Say Yes Buffalo
• Created and implemented social media fundraising and awareness campaigns

"This summer I have seen the highs and the lows of my city; booming revitalization directly contrasts the neighborhoods left behind, struggling to combat poverty and segregation. Although I’ve grown up here observing this segregation, both socioeconomic and racial, my whole life, this summer feels different. Maybe it was my time away from Buffalo, living at Cornell, but I have returned with fresh eyes, and now often find myself overwhelmed by the problems of the city, feeling like there’s not enough time for me to possibly make a difference. Then I remember why we are here, as a group, working to experiment with ideas directly in the community. Taking the skills that we have learned at Cornell, and using them to make something better."

"Not only did the on-campus class and program preparation provide Kate with a strong foundation, she is a Say yes scholar, which provided her with additional insight to our work. Kate’s work helped to support our Say Yes scholars, of which there are over 4,000, plus their families, through her work on our website, fundraising campaign, and Alumni network concept."

Emily Wyckoff,

Say Yes Buffalo