Leadership

Task Force

The York Road Initiative is advised by a task force of approximately 20 members from across the University. This includes students, faculty, staff members, and administrators such as the vice president for administration, vice president for finance, the deans of the Sellinger School of Business and Management and the School of Education, special assistant to the president for mission integration, and directors of the Loyola Clinical Centers and Center for Community Service and Justice.

Staff

Director for the York Road Initiative:  Erin O'Keefe

Erin O'Keefe provides leadership on the creation and implementation of a plan for Loyola's York Road Initiative. She works with a 20-plus-member University task force as well as with York Road community members, neighborhood associations, businesses, schools, and other organizations to coordinate resources and activities that strengthen the York Road area. O'Keefe holds an undergraduate degree from Loyola College and a masters degree in public policy from UMBC. She lives in Baltimore City and sits on the boards of the Citizens Planning and Housing Association, Greater Homewood Community Corporation, and Rebuilding Together Baltimore.

2010-2012 AmeriCorps*VISTA for the York Road Initiative:  Jonathan Hourcade 

Jonathan Hourcade coordinated and implemented projects  between York Road businesses, community members, and the Loyola community to strengthen and support commercial and community revitalization. In particular, Hourcade designed and oversaw two successful season of the Govanstowne Farmers' Market. A 2010 graduate of Indiana University, Hourcade moved to Baltimore in August 2010 to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA member and continues his community development efforts in New Orleans, Louisiana in August 2012.

2012-2013 AmeriCorps*VISTA for the York Road Initiative: Marie McSweeney 

Marie McSweeney identifies, coordinates, evaluates, and implements a variety of projects and efforts that support the York Road community, including strengthening existing York Road businesses and organizations, attracting new and strengthening existing businesses, and promoting the area as a whole. McSweeney develops a sustainable model for the Govanstowne Farmers’ Market and establishes long-term links between Loyola resources and the community. Originally from Baltimore, MsSweeney is a 2011 graduate of Loyola University, where she studied abroad in Ghana and volunteered regularly with the community.  She returns to Loyola as a VISTA after serving Volunteer Maryland at Digital Harbor High School in downtown Baltimore.

Summer 2012 Intern for the York Road Initiative: Sarah Gervasi

Sarah Gervasi is a rising Junior at Loyola University Maryland studying Communications and Marketing. She worked closely with Erin O’Keefe, Jon Hourcade, and the York Road Partnership. Her main projects for the summer included organizing Season Two of the Govanstowne Farmers’ Market, revamping the York Road Partnership’s and York Road Initiative’s websites, and updating social media.