Centre Foundation’s Giving Circle awarded $23,000 to three local nonprofits at its annual reception on Oct. 17.
Centre County Youth Service Bureau, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Centre County and Housing Transitions each received grants.
Housing Transitions, which provides an array of housing programs and supportive services to those in need throughout Centre County, received the top grant of $15,000 for its Family Bathroom Project.
The organization plans to renovate a well-worn family bathroom in its 100-year-old Centre House shelter with the funds.
“From our staff’s years of experience working with our clients, we’ve learned that a clean, hygienic place helps people get ready for work and school on a daily basis and makes them feel better,” Amy Werner, development and community relations coordinator for Housing Transitions, said in a news release. “The renovations will provide a well-kept and orderly space for residents to keep their belongings and practice good hygiene habits. The new vanity will provide storage for all family members, so they do not need to cart their belongings from their bedroom to the bathroom. They’ll be able to put their stuff in the drawers and the cabinets.”
The Centre County Youth Service Bureau (CCYSB) and Habitat for Humanity in Greater Centre County each received a $4,000 award.
CCYSB, which works to ensure children, youth and families have every opportunity to reach their full potential, will use the funds to support a targeted volunteer mentor recruitment campaign, mainly focused on its Big Brothers Big Sisters Program.
“We currently have 34 Littles (children) waiting for a Big (mentor) right now and their wait is anywhere from one to 1,400 days, which is about four years,” Rebecca Lord, CCYSB’s Big Brothers Big Sisters program director, said. “We want to be able to pair them with a caring, positive adult who can look out for them and look out for their future. We know our program can be what changes the trajectory of some of their lives.”
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Centre County, one of 1,000 independent affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International, builds, renovates and repairs homes in partnership with qualified homeowners.
The awarded money would be used to help support its first 3D Home Build project, which involves constructing the first 3D concrete printed home in Pennsylvania.
Stephanie Fost, executive director at Habitat for Humanity, and Bruce Kraselsky, of 3D concrete printing company XHAB-3D, discussed the strategy behind the program and why they are working together to make this a reality.
“We are partnering with Habitat to demonstrate this concrete technology and create awareness so it can change the way the construction industry works,” Krakelsky said. “Our objective is both to do well and to do good. To empower with productivity tools for builders so they can go back into the market, make a profit, and build more houses. And to do good, since there are more houses at lower costs, more people can afford to live there.”
Since the establishment of the Giving Circle grant in 2006, members have distributed $243,000 in grants supporting nonprofit organizations throughout Centre County.
Visit Centre Foundation’s website for more information about the Giving Circle.
