Chevron awards $44,500 in grants through Fayette foundation
Roberto M. Esquivel|Herald-Standard
Michael Edwards, executive director of the Connellsville Redevelopment Authority, accepts a $5,000 grant from Clara Pascoe, executive director of Community Foundation of Fayette County. Officials from Community Foundation and Chevron awarded 11 grants totaling $44,500 Monday from the Chevron Community Fund.
Roberto M. Esquivel|Herald-Standard
Dr. Jacquelyn Core, Uniontown YMCA director, talks about how a $2,000 grant awarded Monday morning will be used for a nutritional program for middle school students. Officials from The Community Foundation of Fayette County and Chevron awarded 11 grants totaling $44,500 Monday from the Chevron Community Fund
Roberto M. Esquivel|Herald-Standard
Trudi Monahan, advisory committee member with the Monongahela Township Community Center in Greene County, talks about how the $5,000 grant will be used for furnishings and computers. Bill Monahan, Monongahela Township supervisor, looks on.
Roberto M. Esquivel|Herald-Standard
Brent Robinson of Chevron’s policy, government and public affairs department, along with Clara Pascoe, executive director for Community Foundation of Fayette County, say a few words Monday morning before awarding 11 grants totaling $44,500.
Officials from The Community Foundation of Fayette County and Chevron awarded 11 grants totaling $44,500 Monday from the Chevron Community Fund to entities for projects that included job training, education, health and safety.
“You are all outstanding organizations and dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents of Fayette and Greene Counties,” Brent Robinson, of Chevron’s policy, government and public affairs department, said at the ceremony, which took place in Uniontown.
“I hope your projects are very successful,” said Clara Pascoe, Community Foundation executive director, who announced the awards and passed out checks from the fund created in 2012 by the energy company.
The awards included:
California University of Pennsylvania received $10,000 for stipends for Fayette and Greene County students in the Land Management Certification Program.
Attorney Cara Davis, who is a professor and land management advisor, explained students who complete the 30-credit program have opportunities to work as staff landmen, operations landmen, in-house support staff, property and leasing managers and title abstractors for oil and gas companies or other third-party companies.
“This program is 100 percent online and it’s wonderful for those in the industry seeking upward mobility,” said Davis, who was accompanied by Ton Mauro, associate vice president, development and alumni relations.
Connellsville Redevelopment Authority received $5,000 for scholarships for students to earn a commercial driver’s license.
“These are good-paying jobs,” said Michael Edwards, executive director, who noted the scholarships are available to residents who live throughout Fayette County.
More information and a scholarship application are available at the authority’s website at www.connellsvilleredevelopment.org.
Cornerstone Care, which operates community health centers, received $3,500 for free dental care for children in Fayette and Greene Counties.
Donna Simpson explained the program is called Smile for Life and uses a mobile dental unit and classroom-based education.
Fayette County Career and Technical Institute in Georges Township received $5,00 towards development of a new STEM Academy, which features curriculum related to science, technology, engineering and math.
Dr. Cynthia Shaw, assistant director, explained the program will start next year and incorporates advanced mathematics and science. This funding will help pay for equipment.
Monongahela Township Community Center in Greene County received $5,000 for furnishings and computers for the community center.
Trudi Monahan, advisory committee member, explained the center opened in 2015 in a vacant building owned by the township and hopes the computers can be used by adults and youth.
“We’re also hoping to start after-school programs to bring children and adults together,” said Monahan, who was accompanied by Mike Rudolph and Bill Monahan, township supervisors.
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg received $6,000 for Fayette County students to attend a summer STEM camp.
Courtney DeCarlucci, manager, foundation and corporate relations, explained students spend 42 hours working on STEM-related activities at the camp, now in its ninth year.
“We have been able to get in touch with students from the first years and are seeing that 83 percent of the people we were able to contact are pursuing stem-based activities,” she said.
Uniontown Area YMCA is receiving $2,000 for a nutritional program for middle school students.
Dr. Jacquelyn Core said the program will help students “learn the essentials of nutrition — how to select healthy food and make healthy snacks.”
Other awards included:
n Brownsville Area School District — $2,000 for iPads for high school math classes.
n Bullskin Township Fire Departement — $1,000 for safety equipment.
n Redstone Foundation — $3,000 for Imagination Library that provides books to children.
n Rostraver/West Newton Emergency Services — $2,000 for new communication dispatch console.