Being local year-round: From the YMCA to chambers of commerce
The holidays are undoubtedly a notable time for giving; however, many service centers and nonprofits work year round to sustain the purpose of thinking, buying, investing and visiting local.
While volunteers make an impact in the well-being of their local communities with their time and service, it’s equally important to recognize those behind the scenes.
At Uniontown YMCA, CEO Jacquelyn Core said, the facility is changing members lives by training adults, providing workplace education and securing the health and wellness of Fayette County’s workforce through fitness and nutrition initiatives.
“We’re definitely more than what people perceive as a typical gym and swim,” said Core.
The YMCA also addresses food security and educational needs for school-age children, increasing water safety and providing nearly $100,000 in annual scholarship support so that low income individuals can participate in membership and programming.
Core said currently the YMCA is working with Fayette County Drug and Alcohol Commission to offer a smoking cessation program as well as implementing a winter walking program to meet the needs of older adults.
“We’re a community movement,” said Core. “Our goal is to be a place for wellness in Fayette County.”
UNIONTOWN HOSPITAL
The value of being local is embraced by Uniontown Hospital, which recently awarded scholarships to 10 employees to help them further their nursing careers.
“We are excited to have this opportunity to help offset the costs our staff incurs while they work toward higher goals of making a healthy difference in the lives of others by furthering their knowledge in their fields of expertise,” CEO Steve Handy said. “We are proud to honor these recipients and we are hopeful that they will achieve success in their academic endeavors and bring their commitment to our patients and our hospital.”
The scholarship program is funded by the hospital and through contributions from the hospital’s Volunteer Fundraising Committee.
Human Resources Executive Director Christa Ebbert said, “We want to make an investment in the future of our employees and in the future of the health of our community.”
HIGHLANDS HOSPITAL
As a community hospital that is locally owned and operated, Highlands Hospital serves as resource to promote its mission of life-long health throughout the community with various programs and assessments.
“When you look at the community you have to look at the needs of residents,” said Vicki Meier, Director of Professional Relations and Development at Highlands.
She pointed out that the hospital’s John P. Murtha Wellness Center and Diabetes Center focus on the overall well-being of not only residents, but also the hospital employees. “We address all aspects of personalized health care, not just one area of a person,” said Meier.
Additionally, the hospital is the only behavioral facility in Fayette County to provide inpatient care to adolescents as well as adults.
The hospital’s Regional Center for Autism is the first licensed site of Cleveland Clinic Children’s Center for Autism in the United States.
The hospital was most recently awarded with the only “A” grade in patient safety in Fayette and Westmoreland counties by the Leapfrog Group, which uses national performance measures to evaluate individual facilities based on survey data.
CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
Chambers of Commerce in Fayette, Greene and Washington counties sponsor and organize a variety of festivals, parades and seasonal activities to connect residents with their communities.
By partnering with many local businesses and organizations, the chambers and its members promote the community and strengthen the local economy.
Several chambers have also initiated young professionals networks where ages 20s and 40s help connect, develop and empower their counterparts.
“Our main goal is to create a more sustainable future for the Mon Valley,” said Ryan Galiotto, president of Young Professionals of the Mon Valley (YPMV).
Galiotto was instrumental in forming the group in 2015, which has about 40 members.
Within that time, YPMV has worked toward making a regional impact not only on the community, but also each other. “The group is really energetic and engaged and ready to make a difference.”
Those interested in joining the Be Local Network can contact Ted Flowers at 724-425-7231 or by email at tflowers@heraldstandard.com. Discount cards are available at the Herald-Standard, 8 E. Church St., Uniontown, and at the Greene County Messenger, 82 W. High St., Waynesburg.