Pictured: Stephanie Crable, Aging Director, and Sr. James Ann Germuska, Executive Director
Crosskeys Human Services delivers meals to around 200 elderly community members, helping seniors to live as independently as possible in their own homes. Their service area of Brownsville and Republic is very rural and widespread, traversing rough roads and unpaved driveways. “Two of our vehicles had to have major work done due to the rocky roads that are traveled in the delivery of the meals,” said Sr. James Ann Germuska, Executive Director.
The Mary and John J. Depcrymski Memorial Fund, held at the Community Foundation of Fayette County, awarded funding to help with transportation costs. Crosskeys has three vans that are used for homebound meal deliveries, and Sr. James Ann explained that vehicle maintenance is presenting major expenses, in addition to gas costs.
Crosskeys also serves seniors by providing “grab n go” meals at their Brownsville and Republic senior centers (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday), and frozen meals to homebound seniors (Tuesday and Thursday).
Beyond their work with the aging community, Crosskeys runs a live-in rehabilitation program and a site-based program for adults with mental and/or psychiatric disorders, and a new youth program offers support in community-based sessions. They also have a supportive housing program, which is “designed to assist behavioral health consumers locate and/or maintain affordable, quality housing in the community of their choice.”
The nonprofit will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025, and they are continuing to develop new ideas for how to help the community and expand the reach of their programs. Through charitable giving, the Community Foundation of Fayette County is happy to support their impactful work in building a stronger Fayette. The Rendu Fund, held at the foundation, provides annual distributions to the organization – nearly $10,000 total since the fund’s creation in 2019.
“It is very uplifting to see how many foundations, like this one, who are willing to partner with nonprofits in providing service,” said Sr. James Ann.
Pictured: Mark A. Smith, CEO; Annette Buffer, Board President; SueAnne Antonucci, Board Member
When Mon Valley Academy for the Arts (MVAA) learned that capacity building grants were available in spring 2023, it struck a chord. The organization had purchased the former American Legion in Brownsville to open a new location, called the Peter J. Daley Cultural Center, in addition to their space in Charleroi. The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) awarded a capacity building grant, from the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund, to support their purchases of office supplies and equipment.
As you enter the building, your eyes scan from late Brownsville band director Sammy Bill’s hand-written music and photos displayed on the wall, to the mural of black and white photos of entertainers who performed at the Twin Coaches in Rostraver. Their upstairs space has a renovated practice area and rooms for music lessons. Among the musical instruments, chairs, and music stands, MVAA’s appreciation of history and their passion for gathering the community around music is palpable.
The nonprofit aims to inform, entertain, and engage the community -and region- in lifelong learning and cultural experiences for all ages. MVAA offers musical instruction, art exhibits, a free summer concert series, various ensembles for musicians and singers, and more. With the expanded space available for instruction and performances, they anticipate 150-200 Fayette County students to participate in art and music programming each year.
CFFC’s capacity building grant helped MVAA set up the Peter J. Daley Cultural Center with office equipment essentials, including a phone, laptop, printer, dry-erase board, shelving unit, notepads, pencils, and binders.
“The CFFC grant award this year had a major impact on the record keeping and daily activities of the Mon Valley Academy for the Arts. Without the capacity grant and the office equipment purchased, MVAA’s track to self-sustainability would be a much longer and a more difficult objective,” said Mark A. Smith, CEO of MVAA. In April, they will celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Peter J. Daley Cultural Center.
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) has recently received re-accreditation with Community Foundations National Standards®. This accreditation, signified by the Seal shown above, indicates that CFFC meets the highest standards for philanthropic excellence.
“This is a significant accomplishment,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director. “When people trust CFFC with a charitable bequest, to establish a fund, or set up an annuity, they do it knowing that we have met rigorous standards for donor services, investments, grantmaking, and administration,” said Couser.
The accreditation program reinforces integrity, professionalism, and legal compliance by the charitable giving sector.
CFFC’s approval notification stated, “The Community Foundations National Standards® accreditation program represents your foundation’s commitment to go above and beyond federal and state law requirements to demonstrate accountability and excellence to communities, policymakers, and the public.”
In short, Community Foundations National Standards® indicates that CFFC is a sound place to give. To learn more about CFFC and our philanthropic services, please contact our office at 724-437-8600 x1.
You can now reserve individual tickets for the Community Foundation of Fayette County’s Gala of Giving ~ Catalyst for Change event on April 13, 2024 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. Click here for ticket registration. This black-tie event will feature great food, an open bar through dinner, live and silent auctions, live music and dancing, and an after-party. We hope to see you there!
The Community Foundation of Fayette County is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The Gala of Giving will be a special way to celebrate our first 25 years and provide more funding opportunities for local charities. Grants from event proceeds will be awarded from the Gala of Giving Fund to make a meaningful impact in Fayette County.
Please contact Trish Desvarro, Event Manager, at 724-557-0820 with any questions about sponsorship opportunities.