Mercy Action Project Honored by Lupus Alliance of Upstate NY

Trocaire’s Mercy Action Project (MAP) was awarded the LEAN Forward Award by the Lupus Alliance of Upstate New York at the organization’s third annual Illumination event, held on May 2.

MAP was recognized for contributing selflessly to the fulfillment of the organizations’ mission to educate, support and empower those in the lupus community. A co-curricular learning experience, MAP provides service opportunities that integrate the college’s mission and connect service to a student’s career path. All Trocaire students must complete at least one MAP learning experience prior to completing their program and graduating.

Past and present Trocaire students like Tadie Kowalski, ’97, ’05, ’18 (Health Information Technology), Kortney Dixon ’18 (Nursing), Sarah Pordan ‘18 (Nursing), and Siddika Choudhury (Nursing)  each chose to complete their required MAP service hours at the Lupus Alliance, which is based out of Buffalo. Projects included assistance in coordination of the Lupus Alliance Walk and Treat Raffle as well as actively participating in education and advocacy efforts for the group.

““My proudest moments in my position are found when students are truly transformed by their service experience, and continue to give time to an organization even after their required MAP service hours are completed,” said Colleen Steffen, coordinator of Community-Based Learning. “With the Lupus Alliance of Upstate New York, these students have found a sense of social responsibility and continue to give back to our community.”