Today, with pride, we highlight John Vaccaro. He motivates us at JAR to continue to support the John A. Reisenbach Memorial Scholarship program at John Jay College and our other non-profit partners.
John explains his personal achievements as a John Jay Scholar:
Since receiving the John A Reisenbach Scholarship, I’ve graduated with my Masters in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College. While in graduate school, the Reisenbach award allowed me to go above and beyond the bare minimum of my coursework requirements. I was able to take additional classes, conduct published research, and develop my skills to be an effective clinician working with a variety of disadvantage and vulnerable populations.
Since graduating, I have worked in New York City on the front lines in the effort to reduce violence and crime in the community. Over the past year I have worked for a nonprofit by running a reentry program ensuring individuals returning from state prison to the Bronx receive treatment and employment services. There I worked to assist former inmates in acquiring the skills necessary to live fulfilling lives and reduce the chances that they will return to prison.
Currently, I work for the City of New York on a crisis intervention team working to assist justice-involved individuals suffering from serious mental health issues by linking them to treatment and other services necessary to recover and maintain healthy, productive lives.
Graduate school allowed me to realize my passion to work to protect the community of New York City, including those who are disadvantaged or unwell. The generous investment JAR made to my education gave me the opportunity to pursue this passion unrestricted. More importantly, by investing in my education, JAR also invested in the community of New York. I am inspired by JAR’s mission and believe that I serve a role in realizing that mission in my work.
Help John keep NYC safe this summer. Support our John A. Reisenbach Memorial Scholarship program here. Any amount counts! #SafeSummer2018 #NYCSafeSummer #JARFoundation #BetterSaferNYC