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.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 21, 2019 | Building a Stronger Fayette
Uniontown Area YMCA
For Youth Development, For Healthy Living, For Social Responsibility
The Uniontown Area YMCA was awarded a grant from the Community Foundation of Fayette County in the spring of 2018. The grant funded a program that addressed food insecurity, access to fresh food, disease prevention, sedentary lifestyles, and a lack of dietary education.
Jacquelyn Core of the Uniontown Area YMCA explained that the CFFC was one of the first organizations that she contacted when she first became the YMCA’s CEO. Therefore, when there was a need to conduct this program, she felt it was a perfect fit.
“When I came to the YMCA, I realized how very little people know about fresh food, how to prepare it and its nutrients. I did not realize the huge role that food plays at the YMCA. We do feed a lot of children,” said Jacquelyn.
“I felt it was necessary to get information to younger children. But, what role could we play? We decided that through this program, we could send fresh produce and recipes home,” added Jacquelyn.
In addition to providing their families with access to fresh produce and healthy recipes, participating youth gained an insight into growing food and farming with herb and vegetable gardens; completed one-hour weekly educational sessions; attended two field trips (one to a farm and the other one was a therapeutic hike); and, planted herb spirals and community gardens.
“Because of the CFFC grant, there were kids that got to have these experiences. The program kicked the door to the world open for them. It provided them with experiences that they probably would have never been given,” said Jacquelyn.
To learn more about this program and the Uniontown Area YMCA, please visit www.uniontownymca.org.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 21, 2019 | Grants, News Releases
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) and the Chevron Community Fund are now accepting applications for the 2019 Spring 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 March 1, 2019.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 20, 2019 | Building a Stronger Fayette
Protecting eyesight and serving people who are vision impaired since 1946
In the spring of 2018, the Fayette County Association for the Blind was awarded a grant from the Community Foundation of Fayette County to help cover some of the costs of child vision screenings in daycare centers, pre-school and during kindergarten registration.
The overall goal of this project is to provide vision screenings to at least 1,000 children ages 2-7 in Fayette County. These important screenings prevent vision loss and ensure that the child does well in school and throughout adulthood.
According to the association’s Executive Director Sandra Morris, “If we are able catch eye conditions in children before they reach a certain age, they are treatable. If the condition goes undiagnosed, the child will have it for life. About 8% of the children that we test require additional testing.”
The association is on pace to reach their goal of conducting 1,000 vision screenings by June 30, 2019.
“As we screen children, finding these vision problems is the most important aspect of this program. Our efforts to ensure that the children receive the proper treatment are most important to us. For this reason, we reach out to parents three times following the screening, for compliance in getting treatment for the children who are referred for eye examinations by a professional,” added Sandra.
Vision screenings are offered to both adults and children at the association’s office at 48 Bierer Lane in Uniontown, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
To learn more about the Fayette County Association for the Blind and its programs, visit www.fayetteblindassociation.org.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 20, 2019 | Building a Stronger Fayette
A Female Re-entry Program
Joyce Thornton was inspired by her own experiences when she started 180 Degree About Face in 2015.
After being arrested on a drug charge, she spent six months in a boot camp. When she came home, no one believed that she could be a nurse. But she got her license. Soon, she started out helping other women doing prison ministry at the Fayette County Prison.
The 180 Degree About Face program provides counseling, spiritual support, workforce development and family reunification services to women recently released from prison. Thornton and community volunteers donate volunteer hours and donations to keep the program funded.
In 2017, the program was moved to a retro-fitted church building in McCllelandtown. The facility offers 5-6 bedrooms, fully functional kitchen, spacious grounds, office space, and meeting rooms. It is located conveniently on the bus line.
The overall goal of the re-entry program is to help reduce the rate of recidivism among female offenders by offering temporary housing and support to women who have been incarcerated, drug addicted or looking to turn their lives away from a negative situation.
Joyce Thornton learned about the Community Foundation of Fayette County when her husband brought home a copy of the organization’s annual report. She read about the organization’s grantmaking program and applied for funding. She received a grant in the spring of 2018 to help with operational expenses.
“I just want to help. People in the community don’t have enough knowledge about the program. It is my personal goal to pay forward to help these women a better way of life. The sober and non-sober communities need to know that this organization is a beacon of help,” said Joyce
