CENTER FOR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT NEWSLETTER | SPRING 2023
As the academic year comes to a close, the Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) has learned that one of our closest allies and fiercest Salem State student advocates, Ronnette Wongus (Ronni) is relocating to be close to her children. In her honor we are sharing her Salem State advocacy journey. This semester Salem State witnessed an increased concern in addressing our students’ most basic needs. The SSU Hunger Free Campus Coalition, a student-led coalition of faculty, staff, administrators, and community partners, worked diligently all year to develop solutions to address campus hunger. Ronni, an active coalition member was moved to go beyond the work of the coalition and inspire others to give in ways they haven’t before. As Ronni tells her story she was called to become involved in food justice work. When she asked God what she could do to make a difference? He said “ASK!” and that is how her advocacy journey began. As a member of the SSU Hunger Free Campus Coalition, Ronni firmly believed that she could make a difference for students struggling with food insecurity and immediately went to work. Ronni developed a food drive and asked faculty to donate to the campus food pantry. She received over three boxes of donations. Ronni also
became involved in political advocacy and went to the State House with students and coalition members and spoke with state-wide elected officials, city counselors, and asked them to support the Hunger Free Campus Initiative (S.835/H1293). Senator Lovely’s amendment for the Hunger Free Campus Initiative was adopted at $1 million with bipartisan support. This is a huge victory for the coalition, and we are eagerly awaiting its inclusion in the FY24 budget. After attending the State House Lobby Day Ronni had a renewed energy and once again said, “Let me get to work.” This time she spoke with four department chairs and a dean on campus. As she went to each chair to ask for a donation to SSU’s food pantry, she knew there was a possibility that they would say no, but that fear did not stop her. Ronni asked and all four departments said “YES.” This inspired Ronni to find a solution on how to advertise the food pantry to make it more accessible. She spoke with Brian Alves, Associate Professor of Art and Design, who supervised a student designer to develop marketing for the pantry. After all donations were made, Ronni raised over $1000. Due to Ronni’s advocacy SSU’s Student Wellness Case Manager, Susan Berube said that there is enough food for Summer and Fall of 2023. The efforts led by Ronni made this achievement possible. The CCE is grateful for Ronni’s infinite passion and advocacy for supporting our students. As she embarks on her new journey may we be inspired by Ronni’s advocacy and ask ourselves the same question that guided Ronni. What can we do to make a difference? How can we use our unique gifts to find solutions to our community’s most pressing challenges? Ronnie, good luck on your upcoming adventure – your new community is very lucky. - Kate Adams, Assistant Director