by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jun 19, 2019 | Building a Stronger Fayette
Chestnut Ridge Counseling Services, Inc. operates New Directions, a year-round K-12 program that provides education and mental health treatment to children and adolescents. When Chestnut Ridge Counseling Services, Inc. wanted to implement their Safety Initiative project, they applied for a CFFC grant in fall 2018 to support the safety, security, and health of clients, their families, and staff.
Chestnut Ridge Counseling Services, Inc.’s mission is to “provide comprehensive behavioral health services in a timely, professional, and compassionate manner to promote wellness and improve the quality of life of the children, adults, and families of the tri-state area.”
New Directions provides a unique combination of specialized mental health treatment and comprehensive educational services. It is the only licensed partial hospitalization program in Fayette County as well as a Private Academic School servicing clients from Fayette, Greene, Westmoreland, Washington, and Somerset counties. The ultimate goal is for the clients to be able to successfully re-renter the traditional public school setting, be productive in their communities, and well-adjusted in their families.
Teacher Jenna Plocki spearheaded the New Directions Safety Initiative in light of recent national school tragedies. When seeking funding opportunities, she said they were drawn to the CFFC because it is community-based. An AED was purchased with the CFFC grant, as one of the updates to the New Directions safety and security procedures. “All staff members are trained to operate an AED, and now we have the equipment if an emergency situation would arise. I think everyone feels a bit more secure,” said Mrs. Plocki.
Chestnut Ridge Counseling Services, Inc. CEO, Michael Quinn, said, “New Directions helps keep students in their community,” treating students in a school setting and helping prevent client need for services at psychiatric institutions. “The educational and clinical staff function as one unit,” said Mr. Quinn.
Mr. Quinn noted the importance of encouraging students to maintain attendance and find new opportunities to open up to staff members. New Directions Program Manager, Michelle DeMoss, said the STEM classroom and workroom, Makerspace room, and other personalized activities encourage students to show up, participate, and engage with students and staff. Teachers, therapists, nurses, and psychiatrists provide a variety of services to New Directions individuals, groups, families, and parents. Visit the Chestnut Ridge Counseling Services, Inc. website to learn more about New Directions and many other services!
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jun 17, 2019 | CFFC News, Grants, News Releases
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) and the Chevron Community Fund are now accepting applications for the Fall 2019 Grant Cycle.
The CFFC’s Grantmaking Program gives priority to programs in the following areas: Arts and Culture, Education, Economic Development and Health and Human Services. Requests of up to $5,000 will be accepted. Non-profit organizations located in Fayette County, or those that provide services to Fayette County, are welcome to apply.
The Chevron Community Fund awards grants to non-profit organizations located in or serving the residents of: Fayette County, Greene County, or areas in and around Hermine, Smithton, Sewickley Township, South Huntingdon Township and West Newton located in Westmoreland County. Funding priorities include: STEM Education, Workforce Development and Basic Human Needs. Other funding areas may be considered. Requests of up to $10,000 will be considered.
Visit the Grants page on www.cffayettepa.org to apply. The deadline to apply for both the CFFC and the Chevron Community Fund grants is September 1, 2019 at midnight (end-of-day).
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jun 14, 2019 | CFFC News, Grants
The Herald-Standard covered the CFFC’s Spring 2019 Grants Presentation in the June 13, 2019 paper. We are happy to have the word spread about our grantmaking program!
Read the full article here: CFFC and Chevron present $51,000 in spring grants to area non-profits
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jun 7, 2019 | Fayette Philanthropy
It’s not too late! Join the fundraising competition to compete for the winning title and to help support causes you care about. Anyone can participate and make a difference in their community!
The Fayette Philanthropy Project features a competition between individuals, teams or non-profit organizations to raise the most money for one of the Community Foundation of Fayette County’s (CFFC) existing funds or to create a new fund of your own for a charitable purpose. The fundraising competition runs until September 30, 2019.
To register for the competition, please complete the following: 2019 Fayette Philanthropy Project Participant Form or contact Renee M. Couser at 724-437-8600 x1.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jun 3, 2019 | Building a Stronger Fayette
City Mission – Living Stones, Inc. helps about 500 homeless men, women and children annually, working step-by-step to help people achieve self-sufficiency. The CFFC awarded City Mission a 2018 spring grant, and recently a 2019 spring grant, to support the Emergency Shelters. Their services include food, clothing, transportation, case management, resident management, utility and rental assistance and referrals to community agencies.
In March 2018, the government’s Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) that City Mission had utilized for 20+ years was eliminated in favor of permanent housing initiatives for the homeless. Irmi Gaut, Executive Director, said she continually looks for grant opportunities and is working with the Board, churches and community to help bridge the gap in funding.
Emergency Shelters provide time for individuals to gather documentation for permanent housing, find employment, address root causes of their homelessness and plan for long-term self-sufficiency. City Mission also provides transitional and permanent supportive housing and operates Home Again as a therapeutic residential facility and Promise House as an independent living program, both for youth.
The men’s emergency shelter and the women’s and children’s emergency shelter both have sleeping quarters, a shared kitchen, bathroom, living room, dining room and laundry as well as an office and living quarters for staff. Shelter clients may stay for 30-60 days while they work with City Mission staff to find a job and plan for permanent housing.
Staff members Michelle Lindsey, Director of Youth Services, and Kelly Snyder, Emergency Shelter Supervisor, expressed the value of maintaining facilities’ security, cleanliness and good conditions to help City Mission clients feel safe, respected and motivated to be successful. Visit citymissionfayette.org for more information.
