by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Apr 14, 2026 | CFFC News
Hosted in partnership with Dress for Success Pittsburgh‘s EmployHER Pittsburgh initiative and CFFC, the first-ever EmployHER Fayette County Opportunity Fair was hosted on March 24 at the CFFC office. Thank you to all who participated and made it a great day!
Twenty-one (21) women attended and had access to local employers actively hiring and nonprofit organizations offering resources tailored to women’s personal and professional growth.
Attendees also received:
- Wardrobe and makeup support to help them look and feel their best
- A complimentary professional headshot
- Employment readiness guidance, including résumé and interview support
- Free lunch during the event
Photo credit: Kgtunney Photography
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Mar 3, 2026 | CFFC News
Women across Fayette County are invited to take part in the Fayette County Spring Opportunity Fair on March 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC), 250 West Main Street, Uniontown.
Hosted in partnership with Dress for Success Pittsburgh, EmployHER Pittsburgh, and CFFC, the free event is designed to remove barriers, build confidence, and connect women with the tools they need to advance in their careers.
The fair will feature local employers actively hiring, along with nonprofit organizations offering resources tailored to women’s personal and professional growth. Attendees will also receive:
- Wardrobe and makeup support to help them look and feel their best
- A complimentary professional headshot
- Employment readiness guidance, including résumé and interview support
- Free lunch during the event
“We’re excited to host this empowering event and bring together a variety of resources for local women,” said Jessica Hajek-Bates, CFFC Chief Executive Officer. “Women may register in advance, and walk-ins are welcome.”
Dress for Success Pittsburgh’s EmployHER Pittsburgh initiative works to ensure women have access to the support, opportunities, and community they need to define success on their own terms. Pop-up opportunity fairs like this one help eliminate common obstacles—such as limited childcare or transportation—by bringing multiple resources together in one accessible location.
Women interested in registering along with local employers and nonprofits interested in participating are encouraged to contact elizabeth@dressforsuccesspittsburgh.org for details.
Attendees and partners are asked to park behind the CFFC building and use the rear entrance.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Nov 25, 2025 | Building a Stronger Fayette
Tammy Barnhart admired the perfect match of a baby blue blouse with a beige and blue plaid blazer that a woman selected from the racks. Reading that, you might picture a department store, but this shopping experience did not involve a trip to the mall or any price tags – it was on wheels and free of charge. Barnhart is the Mobile Services Coordinator for Dress for Success Pittsburgh, a nonprofit that helps unemployed and underemployed women achieve economic independence by providing no-fee programs, development tools, and professional attire to thrive in work and in life.
“Of the 4,000 women we served last year, 2,500 were from the mobile units,” said Tanya Vokes, Dress for Success Pittsburgh’s Chief Executive Officer. Their three mobile units bring professional clothing, accessories, and hygiene products to women across the region.
In Fayette County, they partner with community organizations, such as Good Works Life Recovery House, Brownsville Free Public Library, and Legacy of Hope Center, to get referrals for clients and to bring their van to locations on a recurring basis. Though Dress for Success no longer has an office in Uniontown, the mobile services that they started in 2019 continue to help local women. Vokes says they plan ahead for their mobile services, stocking the racks on the van with clothing that fits the needs and the sizes of the women they will be meeting.
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) awarded a Building a Stronger Fayette Fund grant this spring to support mobile services to Fayette County.
Renee Couser, Tammy Barnhart, and Tanya Vokes in front of the mobile services unit.
“A suit, a dress, or scrubs is more than just an outfit — having appropriate attire for a job or an interview can be crucial. Dress for Success is helping women with this important step in employment readiness, and they’re making great connections along the way,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
Dress for Success Pittsburgh notes that at least 96% of their clients are considered low-to-moderate income and approximately 40% rely on public transportation. Bringing services directly to community centers helps address these barriers as women are taking the next step in their career journey.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | May 22, 2025 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) has selected eleven (11) projects for spring grant awards. The Building a Stronger Fayette Fund, CFFC’s general grantmaking fund, awarded $25,000. Four field of interest funds, which support specific areas of focus, awarded $11,603.
“The foundation is able to support a variety of organizations and causes, thanks to generous donors. Each of the awarded nonprofits is serving the community in a meaningful way, and we look forward to sharing more details about these projects in the coming months,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
Participants and staff members at the Fayette County Community Action Agency’s Senior Center
Building a Stronger Fayette Fund: supporting projects/programming or nonprofit capacity building
These awards are made with combined funding from the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund; Fayette County Charities Endowment; Franklin K. and Jean Smith Family Fund; GIVE Fayette County; Levi Komarinski Memorial Fund; Thompson Fund.
Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA – Legal Advocacy Equipment
Dress for Success Pittsburgh – Employment Readiness
Fayette County Community Action Agency – Senior Activity Center
Fayette Friends of Animals – Spay/Neuter/Vaccine Clinics
Mary House, Inc. – Confidence in Dentistry Care
The Salvation Army – Uniontown Corps – Feeding Program Enhancements
Touchstone Center for Crats – Staff Expansion Equipment
Renee Couser, Tammy Barnhart, and Tanya Vokes with the Dress for Success mobile unit
Photo courtesy of FFOA: Luke Szymanski, Keeley Forrestel, Amanda Mehalic, and Rebecca Wardle outside of the Fayette Friends of Animal shelter
Burchinal Family Endowment Fund: supports charities that provide health and medical care for Fayette County residents
Wesley Health Center, Inc. – Health Services
Marilyn Weaver and Renee Couser at Wesley Health Center
Community Beautification Fund: supports landscape improvements (including but not limited to planting of trees, shrubs, and flowers) for community beautification projects
Borough of Dunbar – Flowers for Dunbar & Honor Roll
Mary and John J. Depcrymski Memorial Fund: supports organizations that provide transportation for Fayette County senior citizens
Crosskeys Human Services, Inc. – Transportation for Elderly Meals
Photo courtesy of Crosskeys Human Services: Bernie, a volunteer for Crosskeys’ meal delivery program
Jack and Diane Hughes Family Fund: supports projects and programs in the areas of community gardens and/or science/environmental education
Crosskeys Human Services, Inc. – Park and Garden Area
To learn more about the Community Foundation of Fayette County’s grants, visit the Building a Stronger Fayette page.