by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jul 2, 2019 | Building a Stronger Fayette
The word “crafts” may bring to mind a childlike image of popsicle sticks, yarn, and glitter, but the “crafts” at Touchstone Center for Crafts refer to the skilled practices of making things by hand. The 150-acre woodsy campus has studios that house activities with ceramics, glasswork, painting and drawing, blacksmithing, and metals and jewelry. To support opportunities for local educators to attend workshops that teach them about the crafts and inspire new ideas for the classroom, the CFFC awarded Touchstone a grant for Fayette County Educators’ Retreat Scholarships.
Touchstone awarded ten scholarships with the CFFC grant. “We are hoping to build up this community of educators by helping them network, building their skills, and having them take it back to the community,” said Lindsay Gates, Executive Director.
The new Educators’ Retreat and teacher scholarship program provide opportunities for educators to receive ACT 48 Credits and tap into their creativity. “We designed the Educators’ Retreat around the feedback from educators who we have worked with in the past, often as chaperones during Teen Week. They continued to come back to Touchstone to help because they liked the networking with other teachers and the exposure to the different workshops,” explained Gates.
She noted, “The more resources we can provide, the better.” The workshops will encourage educators to get into a creative headspace that will then enrich their teaching, as well as connect them with resources and artists who can suggest or collaborate future activities.
Touchstone also has Teen Week, “date nights,” pop-up events, gallery exhibitions, artists residencies and internships, and symposiums, for artists from beginner level up to professional. Dean Simpson, Marketing Manager, noted that the instructors teach participants at a level where the participants take ownership of their work and have a takeaway creation. “We want to share that Touchstone is accessible and open to the public. That involves getting people here and also getting us out in the community,” said Stephanie Glover, Development Coordinator.
To learn more about Touchstone Center for Crafts and their mission “to advance excellence in the arts and crafts by educating and encouraging individuals to develop technical skills, good design, and innovative expression,” visit their website.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jun 24, 2019 | Grants
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. Read the full feature here!
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jun 21, 2019 | CFFC News
On June 19, 2019, Renee M. Couse, the CFFC Executive Director, accepted a check for $7,500 from Bob Shark, Fay-Penn Economic Development Council Executive Director, for the Orville and Ruth Eberly Workforce Development Fund. The fund is held at the CFFC, and the CFFC matched the contribution with $2,500. The fund provides financial assistance to Fayette County residents pursuing technical or trade careers at various Fayette County schools. Fay-Penn raised the money in conjunction with its annual fundraising event.
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).