February 11, 2008

The Board of Directors of the Crawford Heritage Foundation has approved discretionary grant awards totaling more than $12,000. These grants are made twice yearly to support projects in Crawford County.

“Simply put, we’re improving lives. The changes are as simple as offering a nice place to sit on a visit to a park and as transformational as the increase in earning power that comes with achievement of a GED. This money will help children and adults to become better educated, enhance the work of health and social service providers and support historical and arts programs,” says Christian Maher, Executive Director.

The first grants were made from the Bernadene R. and John B. Cooley Fund which was established in 2007 with a gift from the estate of Bernadene Cooley. Mrs. Cooley directed that her endowment support programs for children and youth.

More than fifty young adults will develop and apply leadership skills through Crawford County 4-H programs. A $1,000 grant will help defray the cost for each participant.

Creating Landscapes is an interdisciplinary experiential learning program sponsored by Allegheny College. Collaboration with Second District Elementary School has improved students literacy and mathematics skills. A $1,000 grant will capitalize on this success by providing first-grade students with scholarships to attend the Creating Landscapes summer program.

The Foundation makes grants county-wide from the Crawford Heritage Foundation Unrestricted Fund and Ben Franklin Trust.

The Academy Theatre will improve their ability to present high quality performing arts events through backstage renovations with the assistance of a $955 grant.

A $500 grant toward the purchase of new office equipment will help the Conneaut Valley Health Center in Meadville to improve organizational efficiency and provide better service.

The French Creek Valley Railroad Historical Society will use a $1,500 grant to assist in moving Erie Locomotive #518 to Meadville and putting it on display with their Erie-Lackawanna Railroad caboose.

An $800 grant will help the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations implement standards for excellence training sessions in Crawford County. The nonprofits attending will learn to improve their operational systems in order to be more accountable and effective.

Public Broadcasting of Northwest Pennsylvania, Inc offers the “GED for Me!” program. This on-line educational curriculum helps adults to achieve a high school equivalency diploma. A $950 grant will help defray some of the costs for Crawford County students.

Women's Services, Inc. will improve the quality and effectiveness of their program through enhancement of staff and volunteer training. A $1,300 grant to purchase a multimedia projector and screen will assist in this effort.

Discretionary grants specifically for programs in the Titusville area are made from the Fred Lintner Fund.

The health and well-being of residents of two community homes in Titusville operated by Erie Homes for Children and Adults will be enhanced through the purchase of safety, adaptive and therapeutic equipment with a $1,600 grant.

Students at Titusville High School will learn about the oil industry and the journalism of Ida Tarbell through an historical reenactment. A $480 grant will help recreate a 1939 event honoring Tarbell in commemoration of the 150^th anniversary of her birth.

The Titusville Area Senior Citizens Corporation received $1,100 in support of an intergenerational program. A field trip to the Edinboro University planetarium will foster education and interaction between senior citizens and children.

The Titusville Council on the Arts will help educate the community of the historic impact of the lumber industry on our region. An artistic display will be constructed with assistance from a $700 grant.

Titusville Renaissance, Inc. is working to provide the community with an attractive and useful outdoor recreation area through the restoration of Fleming Park. A grant of $1,100 for the purchase of a Victorian-style bench will support this effort.