Since high school, Haley Erickson has worked with a nonprofit organization trying to improve the living situation of families in Nicaragua.

Now she’s bringing the aid opportunity to Syracuse through the first annual Path Out of Poverty 5k walk and run. The benefits from the event, which Erickson organized, will go toward the nonprofit organization, Project Chacocente.

Syracuse University will host the event Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Participants will start at Carnegie Library and travel throughout Main Campus.

When Erickson, a sophomore public relations major, was approached this summer by a Chacocente board member to organize a walk and run, she agreed in order to help build awareness in the Syracuse area. The run is supposed to symbolize the journey the families take in starting their new lives — their own path out of poverty. Chacocente is currently sponsoring four runs in the United States.

Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, with more than 80 percent of the population living in poverty, according to Chacocente’s website. Chacocente is trying to move families out of the Managua dump, home to about 175 families living in shacks and scavenging among the garbage.

After moving families out of the dump, Chacocente helps them establish a new life in Masaya, get jobs and lease their own land.

Erickson said Chacocente will help set up new areas for Nicaraguans and help them settle in. She said their current poor conditions have prevented them from being able to perform everyday tasks, but Chacocente’s involvement teaches individuals how to cook meals and brings in a library and school.

Chacocente also works to get jobs for family members. After a certain point, they also help to get them a lease on a property of land.

‘The goal is to set them up to be self-sufficient.’ Erickson said.

In order to get the event on campus, Erickson worked with Students Taking Action Now in Darfur, a co-host of the event.

Dan Cowen, vice president of STAND at SU, said the group has helped in planning many of the logistics of the event.

‘We were excited to do everything we could to support a grassroots organization that helps a population in dire need of positive social change in Nicaragua,’ Cowen said.

Syracuse’s chapter of STAND is passionate about taking action and looking for a solution, Cowen said. He said he thought the 5k was the perfect event to help kick off the group’s new initiative.

Planning the event took many people performing many different tasks, Erickson said.

As of Oct.1, there were 30 runners registered. Around 30 to 60 total runners are expected, Erickson said.

The run begins at Carnegie and loops down South Crouse Avenue, Marshall Street, Comstock Avenue, around the Carrier Dome and back to Carnegie. There will also be music entertainment, water and snacks for participants.

Erickson said she hopes Path Out of Poverty will bring awareness about Chacocente to Syracuse campus and spur the creation of future events at SU for Chacocente. She expressed interest in planning a trip or starting a formal club for Chacocente on campus.

‘There are many possibilities for the future of Chacocente at SU.’ Erickson said. ‘We’re hoping that it becomes something that people are aware of.’

dspearl@syr.edu

 

Published on October 5, 2010 at 12:00 pm

Contact Diana: dspearl@syr.edu | @dianapearl_