by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Feb 11, 2019 | Building a Stronger Fayette
Doing the Most Good
On February 15, 2018, a destructive and powerful storm caused both tornadic and flooding activity in Fayette County. According to Red Cross assessments as of February 28, 2018, a staggering 616 properties sustained damage, and 25 properties have been destroyed. The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) was on the scene since February 17, 2018 at the Holiday Inn Express Uniontown hotel, where emergency shelter and feeding were ongoing. The homes of twenty-three families from a local low-income housing development were heavily damaged from the storm.
The Salvation Army’s Uniontown Center also served victims by providing twenty-five clean-up kits and 400 units of cleaning supplies for homes, food and beverages and personal hygiene items. During a MARC (Multi Agency Resource Center) set up on February 26 and February 27, the Salvation Army depleted their entire stock of gift cards – giving 100 households a $100 gift card each. Many more families signed up for the gift card waiting list, hoping that more would become available.
In the spring of 2018, the Community Foundation of Fayette County awarded the Salvation Army’s Uniontown Center with a grant to assist with funding. With the grant, the Salvation Army provided 848 meals, 200 gift cards, 1,264 flood clean-up kits, 130 hygiene kits, six blankets and 538 bottles of water to the flood victims.
“The Salvation Army is always willing to assist in every situation, no matter how big or small. We do not have administrative costs. Every penny goes to a service or needy person. It goes to the cause,” said Major Deborah Weigner. Major Weigner and her husband Major Henry Weigner manage the Uniontown Center.
To learn more about the Salvation Army’s Uniontown Center, visit www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Feb 11, 2019 | Building a Stronger Fayette
Serving all regardless of religious affiliation, at their time of great need
Catholic Charities – Greene County Outreach offers counseling sessions for individuals, couples, and families, based on a sliding fee scale. Their counseling services include Co-Parenting and Trans-Parenting sessions for divorced and separating parents who wish to learn to communicate and collaborate better as they raise their children.
The Catholic Charities – Greene County Outreach heard about the Community Foundation of Fayette County from Bettie Stammerjohn of the Community Foundation of Greene County. They were awarded a grant from CFFC in the spring of 2018.
“The grant funded professional counseling. The deductible and co-pays were so burdensome that they did not seek counseling. So, the grant helped fund people who would not seek therapy due to funding,” said Gary Yaquinto, Director, Greene County Outreach.
The overall goal was to serve approximately 40 clients a total of roughly 200 face-to-face counseling and psychoeducational sessions.
“The services provided by this project were critical to improving client functioning, promoting self-sufficiency, and reducing barriers to good mental and emotion health for Greene County residents in need,” added Gary.
To learn more about Catholic Charities, visit www.ccpgh.org.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 21, 2019 | Building a Stronger Fayette
Striving to teach 5th grade students about the unique environment of Southwestern Pennsylvania
In 1971, Roy P. Fisher had an idea for an environmental camp. That year he instituted a five-day/four-night experience for students at Hutchinson Elementary School. It was such a success that two years later all five elementary schools within the Laurel Highlands School District began to attend the program. Recently, the Outdoor School has been changed to a three-day/two-night experience as the costs for the students, schools and district have skyrocketed. The number of students attending yearly has averaged between 230 and 250 students.
In the spring of 2018, the Community Foundation of Fayette County awarded a grant to the Laurel Highlands Outdoor School. The grant supported the continuation of the program, which teaches them character building experiences and the importance of teamwork. It also gives them the opportunity to get close to nature and investigate what makes up their home environment.
“It is important to know that the project has been successful because of administrative and teachers support. We enjoy a great relationship with our host the Jumonville Training Center. We are pleased that they continue to welcome the program back yearly,” said Bob Walters of the Laurel Highlands Outdoor School.
Over the past 45 years, almost 12,000 students have participated in this program. For further information, please e-mail robert.walters@lhsd.org.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 21, 2019 | Building a Stronger Fayette
Keeping families with sick children together and near the care and resources they need
The Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Pittsburgh and Morgantown, Inc. provides a way for families to stay close to their children receiving medical care, and is committed to helping the families lead happier, healthier and more productive lives.
The Ronald McDonald House learned about the Community Foundation of Fayette County by researching area foundations that offer grantmaking.
“Last year, we hosted 36 families from Fayette County for a total of 338 nights. So, we seek assistance from the communities we serve, and we appreciate the support,” said Megan Skubovius, Development Director, Ronald McDonald House – Pittsburgh and Morgantown.
The Ronald McDonald House in Pittsburgh serves as temporary quarters for families of children who are patients in Children’s Hospital. The 74-unit facility is open to families that reside within a 40-mile radius of the facility. The average length of stay is 12 nights; however, some families have stayed up to a year at the house.
The donation of $20 per night covers lodging and meals. The CFFC grant that was awarded in the spring of 2018 paid for 150 nights.
“Ideally, we would like to be able to offer these accommodations free of charge. We are fortunate to have volunteers that cook meals, provide activities, offer hair styling and massage therapy, decorate for holidays and clean. We also have an animal program. They provide the above and beyond services that makes the Ronald McDonald House more than a hotel.” added Megan.
To learn more about the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Pittsburgh and Morgantown, visit www.rmhcpgh-mgtn.org.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 21, 2019 | Building a Stronger Fayette
Empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and development tools
In 2017, Dress for Success Pittsburgh served more than 2600 women in Allegheny, Butler, Fayette, Greene and Washington counties by providing the clothing, connections and confidence that they need to take the next step in their journey to financial independence.
The Fayette County branch received a grant from the Community Foundation of Fayette County in the spring of 2018.
“We wanted to provide alternative work attire to 50 women in Fayette County to give them the opportunity to start new jobs or training programs in the medical or hospitality field without having to stress about coming up with funds to purchase the needed items,” said Tanya Mallory, CEO, Dress for Success – Pittsburgh.
Women come to the Fayette branch of Dress for Success for all kinds of clothing for interviews, employment, and training programs. Women now work in many areas that do require all types of clothing, including medical scrubs, nonskid shoes, hospitality wear, hardhats, lab coats, and steel-toed boots. They can purchase items for women who are eligible and active TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) recipients using funds provided by the DHS PA Work Wear program. However, many women who do not qualify for TANF still need support in purchasing the items that they need for new jobs or training programs. Many times, women are forced to delay the start of a job because they don’t have the funds to purchase proper attire or safety shoes.
“It is important to provide every woman with what she needs to get back to work,” added Tracey Whitted, Branch Manager, Fayette County.
To learn more about Dress for Success, visit www.pittsburgh.dressforsuccess.org.
