Homeless Alliance of Western New York: Contact: Bios

	Executive Director: William T. O'Connell, Esq Bill O'Connell was named Director and sole employeee of the Erie County Commission on Homelessness in January of 2000. Since that time, he has overseen the growth of the Commission encompassing its incorporation as the Homeless Alliance of Western New York and growing staffing to its present level. During this time the Homeless Alliance has helped secure over 50 million dollars in competitive grant funding for the community, written a 10-Year Plan to End Long-Term Homelessness (PRISM), helped raise the profile of homelessness in Erie County, increased membership and involvement, and facilitated the emergence of the Buffalo Area Services Network (BAS-Net). Bill is a graduate of the University at Buffalo School of Law and John Carroll University. Before his work at the Alliance, Bill was a public policy coordinator for the Hunger Action Network of New York State in Albany where he worked on campaigns to increase funds for emergency food providers, summer meal programs, and against punitive welfare reform proposals. Mr. O'Connell has been a long-time advocate for low-income persons, having also served as a low-income organizer in New York City. Mr. O'Connell is a past board member of the Diocese of Buffalo Diocesan Service Corps, a present Commissioner for the City of Buffalo Living Wage Commission, and serves on the Community Services Funding Board of the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County. He has volunteered regularly with a number of organizations including Friends of the Night People and Compeer.
	Research Director: Laila Bondi-Marschner Laila Bondi-Marschner received her undergraduate degree in Spanish Language and Literature from Tulane University. She recently completed her Masters degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University at Buffalo. Laila has a long history working in the field of social services, starting as a high school intern at Hispanics United of Buffalo, being a member of the New Orleans AIDS Task Force and working in case management at AIDS Community Services of Western New York. Laila also has experience in community planning and research, working as a graduate assistant at the Institute for Local Governance and Regional Growth and as a consultant for the City of Buffalo Office of Strategic Planning.
	Program Director: Joan Dutchess Freidson Joan Dutchess Freidson graduated from SUNY Brockport with a degree in Journalism and Public Relations. She has worked in the non-profit sector since graduation working with diverse populations such as adults afflicted with Alzheimer's disease and runaway and homeless youth. During her time at Compass House she worked to bring Safe Place to Erie County, which allows youth to seek out safe shelter and services in their own community. Joan is honored to have been a 2006 recipient of the Killian Vetter Individual Achievement Award.
	*AmeriCorpsVISTA Education Coordinator: Devan DeCicco** Devan DeCicco graduated from SUNY at Buffalo Summa Cum Laude with a degree in English. During his time as an undergraduate, Devan was one of the leaders of the University at Buffalo Students against Sweatshops. He coordinated a campaign with campus workers, students, faculty, and community leaders to bring a living wage and health benefits to low-income campus janitors. After a seven month campaign, the university administration granted a living wage and health benefits to all campus janitors. Devan is proud to be the 2008 WNY Coalition for the Homeless Sister Jean Frank Award winner.
	Research Assistant: Kristin Cipollone Kristin Cipollone received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Rochester in 2002, majoring in both History and Italian Language and Culture. Upon graduating, she joined the New York City Teaching Fellows program, where she taught fourth and fifth grade in the South Bronx while pursuing a master’s degree in education from Mercy College. Currently, Kristin is a sociology of education doctoral student at the University at Buffalo. In college, Kristin worked as an intern for the NYS Division of Human Rights, at a transitional boys’ home in Milan, Italy, as well as a tutor to refugee children in Rochester, NY. While working in the South Bronx, she served on grant writing and school development committees. She currently coordinates the UB Reading First program, training undergraduates to tutor in local public schools.