by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Sep 3, 2026 | Building a Stronger Fayette
Nearly 200 child safety seats have been provided to community members through a Catalyst for Change Grant, and an additional 200 is expected to be distributed by the end of 2026.
Leah Ambrosini, Nursing Supervisor, and Anna DeFazio, Unit Manager, with car seats purchased through the grant
The Community Foundation of Fayette County awarded a $50,000 Catalyst for Change Grant, funded through Gala of Giving proceeds, to support the Infant and Child Safety Program at WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital.
The Infant and Child Safety Program addresses a critical need for lower-income families by ensuring access to properly fitted car seats. For many families, the cost of a car seat can be a significant obstacle, creating challenges in safely transporting children to medical appointments and other essential services.
To help overcome these challenges, WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital supplies car seats to families in need. Car seats are distributed to infants born at the hospital, Head Start participants, patients of the hospital’s pediatric practice, and community families who seek assistance.
In addition to providing critical safety equipment, the program invests in education and prevention. Funding supports car seat technician certification training for hospital staff, equipping them to teach parents and caregivers how to properly install and use car seats. Together, these efforts improve child passenger safety, increase access to healthcare, and help ensure that Fayette County families have the resources they need to thrive.
WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital shared a patient story:
Tatem and Jonathan with their baby girl and car seat
A big stressor weighed on Tatem and Jonathan as they prepared to welcome their infant daughter this spring. The young couple already had baby supplies like diapers, clothing and a crib previously used by their toddler son. Yet one costly supply felt out of reach, even though it was absolutely essential: a high quality car seat.
“We weren’t sure if we could buy a good car seat and it was one of the things we worried about the most,” Tatem said.
When they arrived at the new WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Birthing Center at Uniontown Hospital, the couple asked staff whether financial assistance was available to purchase a car seat. They had come to the right place.
The hospital is able to provide convertible car seats to expectant mothers and their babies in Fayette County. These seats accommodate a child’s growth, up to 100 pounds, ultimately lasting years for one family.
“We are so thankful to the hospital for providing us with this car seat,” Tatem says. “It made everything else about welcoming our daughter easier and we were so surprised at how nice and lightweight it was.”
Check photo (left to right): Bonnie Ryan, Karen Merryman, Beth Konick, Dawn Hunchuck-Piccolomini, Renee Couser, Carrie Willetts, Garnet Gordon, Meredith Aumer
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Aug 5, 2026 | Building a Stronger Fayette
With last year’s grant award, elementary STEM teacher Daniel Arnold purchased robotics and STEM kits with computer-controlled motors, sensors, and lights. “This project is impacting roughly 300 students in 16 classes at our elementary schools in the Laurel Highlands School District. The students can build over 30 activated models and, in the future, can engineer their own designs,” said Mr. Arnold.
The grant for these kits was awarded by the Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund, a donor advised fund held at the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC). Donors have ongoing involvement with how their advised fund awards grants to support the community, and this fund has a history of supporting reusable items for classrooms in the Laurel Highlands and Uniontown School Districts.
Mr. Arnold submitted an application to purchase twenty-four (24) LEGO® Spike Prime Kits and was awarded $9,600 for the school district to purchase these items. “The project has greatly enhanced hands-on STEM activities, which correspond to problem-solving skills, building models, introducing beginning robotics, and evaluating operational solutions that the students create,” he explained. A wide variety of students in grades 3 – 5 benefit from this project as Mr. Arnold teaches in multiple elementary schools within Laurel Highlands School District.
“We look forward to helping our donors support more amazing projects like this!” said CFFC Chief Executive Officer Jessica Hajek-Bates. From August 1 until September 15 at 5:00 p.m., CFFC is accepting fall grant requests for the 2026-2027 school year, through the generosity of three donor advised funds. Learn more on the “Nonprofits” page at www.cffayettepa.org.
Photos courtesy of Laurel Highlands School District.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Aug 3, 2026 | CFFC News
Photo courtesy of Mr. Arnold with Laurel Highlands School District
Last fall, three donor advised funds at the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) awarded over $25,000 to support education at Fayette County schools. CFFC is now accepting grant requests for the 2026-2027 school year, inviting teachers and administrators to apply online by September 15 at 5:00 p.m.
As donor advised funds, the fund creators of the Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund, Idea Fund, and Patricia and Robert Metz Educational Fund have ongoing involvement with how the funds’ charitable dollars support the community. “The lasting impact of these three funds speaks to the fund creators’ deep belief in the power of education,” said CFFC Chief Executive Officer Jessica Hajek-Bates. “We are grateful to see their passion continue to open doors for students and educators through this year’s fall grant cycle.”
The Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund is accepting grant requests from $750 up to $10,000 for reusable education items to enhance the classroom. Any teacher, school counselor, or administrator in the Laurel Highlands School District or Uniontown Area School District is encouraged to apply.
The Idea Fund was created by a donor who strives to help teachers to achieve a level of creativity in the classroom that allows all students to succeed. All school districts in Fayette County are eligible to apply for an Idea Fund grant in the amount of $2,500.
The Patricia and Robert Metz Educational Fund is accepting grant requests from Uniontown Area School District’s middle schools or high school to enhance STEM teaching and learning. An award of $500 is intended to support teacher or student activities or the purchase of classroom materials.
With last year’s grant award, elementary STEM teacher Daniel Arnold purchased robotics and STEM kits with computer-controlled motors, sensors, and lights. “This project is impacting roughly 300 students in 16 classes at our elementary schools in the Laurel Highlands School District. The students can build over 30 activated models and, in the future, can engineer their own designs,” said Arnold.
“We look forward to helping our donors support more amazing projects like this!” said Hajek-Bates. More details about the criteria and how to apply can be found on the “Nonprofits” page at www.cffayettepa.org.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jul 14, 2026 | CFFC News
We invite you to review our 2025 Community Impact Report to learn more about the Community Foundation of Fayette County’s efforts in building a stronger Fayette County. Click here!
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jul 7, 2026 | Building a Stronger Fayette
Ron Gabriel, Michelle Knight, Steve Strange, Terry Burden
EEUCC hosted a program by Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia
During a visit to East End United Community Center (EEUCC), we saw children and volunteers in the flourishing garden, residents accessing their food pantry, and a room full of children enjoying a wildlife presentation about birds. With a diverse range of programs, the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) is happy to support EEUCC in their efforts to build a stronger Fayette County.
A recent capacity building grant from the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund enabled the nonprofit to purchase an industrial color printer/copier machine. Their previous machine was unable to print in color, and they needed a machine that can handle their high volume of printing without breaking down or lagging.
“The ability to use the color printer will help enhance educational programming by providing high quality color materials that will help improve the children’s comprehension and engagement, in addition to improving the professionalism of printed materials for community members,” said Michelle Knight, EEUCC Office Manager.
Residents can benefit from EEUCC’s programs such as daycare, after-school programming, truancy prevention, seniors programming, nutrition assistance, and other community outreach projects.
“Our community is better because of East End United Community Center’s programs and the dedicated service of their staff and volunteers,” said CFFC Chief Executive Officer Jessica Hajek-Bates. “We’re grateful for opportunities to partner with their organization through grants, participation in Fayette Gives, and our wonderful network of local nonprofits.”