MU anti-poverty group ranked 32nd nationwide

By Stephanie Clark

Published Jan. 25, 2008

An MU student who has been working on campus to raise awareness about poverty was rewarded with a trip to Washington, D.C., and the chance to meet with other student activists.

ONE Mizzou president and founder Tyler Sangermano attended the first ONE campaign Power 100 Summit in Washington, D.C., along with students from around the country who are involved in the national cause to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and poverty.

Members of the organization in communities and on college campuses raise money and contact local officials about these issues.

Sangermano founded ONE Mizzou in October 2007.

The conference included 100 leaders from the top 100 ONE campaign student chapters, according to a news release. MU ranks 32nd, according to the release.

The conference gave students the opportunity to meet with political leaders who are advocates in the fight against disease and poverty, Sangermano stated in an e-mail.

"I had no idea how much of an influence we had on Capitol Hill," Sangermano stated in an e-mail. "Candidates are beginning to recognize ONE members at caucuses and wearing the ONE bands. Most of the presidential candidates have gone on the record about their plans for poverty. And being surrounded by students who are all advocating and passionate about the same issues, all working to change things—it was amazing."

Sangermano stated in an e-mail that ONE Mizzou has focused on becoming better known on campus and gaining members. She said they plan to hold events such as fundraisers this semester. ONE Mizzou will play host to a benefit concert Feb. 9 to raise awareness about the ONE Campaign and the ONE Campus Challenge.

Through the summit, students learned techniques to encourage students around their college campuses and around their community to fight poverty and disease.

Public Health Specialist Suprotik Basu informed the students about the severity of malaria, a disease that kills approximately 3,000 children each day. She suggested that with certain policies, the next president could end the fatal disease within the next ten years.

"We are making a difference," Sangermano stated in an e-mail. "The politicians are listening. We just have to speak up."

ONE Mizzou will hold its next meeting Monday, Jan. 28 in 223 Strickland Hall.