32 Degree Masonic Learning Center for Children, Inc $42,000

Transcription

1 32 Degree Masonic Learning Center for Children, Inc $42,000 Because of the Berwick Health and Wellness Fund (BHWF) grant, we will be able to continue offering services to children from the BHWF service area. We are very grateful to all of our supporters who enable us to teach these children how to read, spell, and handwrite. -Cathy Clements, Director The 32 Degree Masonic Learning Center for Children, Inc. offers free tutoring to children ages 6-18 who are currently in the Learning Support classes of their individual schools or have been identified as having Dyslexia. The Learning Center also trains educators or those with a bachelors degree, in the Orton-Gillingham Methodology. Currently 37% of students are from BHWF service area. The Bloomsburg Masonic Learning Center for Children is the only resource in this area offering twice-weekly, two-to-three year, one-on-one tutoring program available during after school hours that is administered by certified professionals. A recent survey suggests that every Learning Center tutor has an annual impact on up to 15 children. Children of the Leaning Center are evaluated using three different types of pre and post testing, in the fields of reading, spelling, and handwriting.

2 American Red Cross, Greater Berwick Chapter Be Red Cross Ready 2009 $8,000 Goals of Be Red Cross Ready: Kindergarten 2nd grade students Will practice better personal hygiene 1st grade students Will practice safe behavior to avoid slips, trips and falls 2nd grade students Will understand the importance of smoke alarms and become responsible for monitoring them at home Will learn when and how to call rd grade students Will practice water safety rules 4th and 5th grade students Will be prepared for a disaster Teaching children really has an impact on the greater community. This grant has allowed me to reach approximately 900 children in the BHWF service area. These children can then go home to their families, and explain that they have learned how to develop a plan incase of disaster or the importance of washing hands. These are people that otherwise would not have been reached. -Diane DeLuca, Disaster Coordinator

3 Benton Council of Churches Supplemental Fuel Assistance Program 2007 $4,000, 2008 $8,000 In recent years the amount of people in the community needing fuel assistance has increased. Since the Benton Council of Churches has received grant funding from Berwick Health and Wellness Fund Amount of recipients for supplemental fuel assistance has doubled $400 of supplemental fuel is granted one time per year to each household Amount of fuel provided per household has doubled More than 30 households are served though this grant from low-income families, people suffering from physical and medical issues, single parent households with small children, welfare recipients, unemployed, retired, elderly, or terminally ill. These families have exhausted all financial means for fuel and without this assistance they would be unable to have the comfort in their home, and stay healthy.

4 Benton Elementary Wrestling Boosters Benton Elementary Wrestling Club 2009 $12,000 The grant funding has allowed our organization to safely and effectively enhance the sport of wrestling for the children. It has also increased the development and promotion of the wrestling program in Benton. - Scott C. Fought, Head Coach Benton Elementary Wrestling Club (BEWC) is an organization operated by volunteers. BEWC is a small wrestling program that focuses on areas of technical instruction, sportsmanship, discipline, and supervision to participants each year. BEWC children range in age from 5-14 and in grades K-8, with no restrictions on participation The program teaches children per year Operating 3 nights per week BEWC is part of a league of 18 teams Prior to grant funding: BEWC s facility was unprotected on the walls and inadequately protected on the floor These conditions limit the number of children that the program can safely serve Since the addition of wall and floor matting, and wrestling mats the BEWC anticipates a decrease in injuries among the children as well as an increase in performance.

5 Benton Tiger Athletic Association Lavatory & Concession Building 2009 $20,000 Until 2009, The Benton Area School District did not have a concession stand and restrooms on athletic fields available to its students, parents, and visitors. Past facility had no running water for hand washing, or electricity to warm food, making sanitary conditions a major concern. The Benton Area School District serves a population of 2,179 households. The athletic fields are utilized by both boys and girls high school and middle school student teams as well as community soccer and little league teams. A total of 59 home events are held on athletic fields each year. Addition of Lavatory/Concession Building: The Benton Tiger Athletic Association works in harmony with the Benton Area School District to provide opportunities for athletes and community members. Without the grant from the Berwick Health and Wellness Fund this lavatory/concession building would not exist. Your grant was the catalyst to a $10,000 donation by our organization and an amount of $20,000 by Benton Area School District. Our student body, visitors to our district, and community members now enjoy a modern facility which exceeds current health standards and promotes a healthy life style. -Gary R. Powlus, Superintendent of Benton Area School District Benefits public health and safety with a quality facility for youth competition that is ADA compliant. Allows a more intensive schedule for these athletic activities. Allows the school district to host PIAA district and regional events at home.

6 Berwick Area Ministerium Emergency Heating Oil Assistance 2009 $6,000 The Berwick Area Ministerium received grant funding from the Berwick Health and Wellness Fund for the purpose of providing emergency heating oil assistance to those in need in the BHWF service area. The $6,000 is administered through the Salvation Army on behalf of the Ministerium. This grant will help 60 families which is well over a hundred individuals. On November 20th, 2009 a single mother came into my office crying, her UGI Gas was going to be turned off she has four children. She said she called many places and no one could help her. I told her the ministerium could pay $ if she paid the rest. Her heat was then restored. She was very grateful to the ministerium for their help. This is one of many stories displaying how your funds have helped needy people get heat and stay warm in the cold months. -Dee Unger, Salvation Army

7 Berwick Area YMCA Capital Campaign $600,000 The Berwick Area YMCA serves 4,000 residents in the Berwick Health and Wellness Fund service area. The YMCA is a fast growing community center. Membership has more than doubled between 2002 and The YMCA developed a capital campaign to improve and expand every aspect of the Y s programs and membership offerings. Goals of the Capital Campaign are: Complete renovation of existing third floor space to expand and relocate fitness programs. Creation of new Family, Youth & Teen Fitness Centers. Relocation of childcare to create secure area and expand service. Creation of new adult fitness classrooms. Expansion of parking. The Berwick Health and Wellness Fund has granted $600,000 toward this campaign.

8 Beyond Violence Children s Program-Parent Counselor $20,000 & $20,000 The Berwick Health and Wellness Fund grants money to Beyond Violence for the position of a parent counselor. This allows free counseling services for child victims and non-offending parents who have been traumatized by domestic violence or sexual abuse. This grant allows parents to express their feelings, discuss their concerns, recognize their rights as individuals and have a support system to guide them through the legal system. Our organization has been able to give not only the parents a voice in this legal system, but also to the children. -Cheryl Cerasoli Executive Director Since adding a counselor- 450 children and 305 parents were able to regularly participate in counseling sessions 452 children were able to develop a safety plan and identify trusted adults through counseling

9 Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc. Project Fresh Start 2009 $8,400 Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc. is dedicated to improving the health and welfare of communities by addressing the leading causes of mortality: Tobacco use, and exposure to tobacco smoke pollution. Project Fresh Start is aimed to reduce the number of children being exposed to tobacco smoke pollution by increasing the number of smoke-free households among low income families. Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc. has partnered with the Columbia County Head Start Program to assess parental tobacco use and their child s exposure to secondhand smoke and provide tobacco cessation services to eliminate children s exposure to tobacco smoke pollution. Funding from the Berwick Health and Wellness Fund is being used in the following areas: Assessment of Tobacco Use & Brief Tobacco Intervention Provided to individuals to assess their level of tobacco use, provide information concerning the benefits of not using tobacco and make tobacco cessation counseling available to the individual. This practice is endorsed by the Center for Disease Control (C.D.C.) as a best practice model. 53 parents assessed indicated they used tobacco a brief intervention was provided in which 15 parents enrolled in Tobacco Cessation Counseling Tobacco Cessation Counseling Provided to individuals who are attempting to quit using tobacco. During counseling, individuals create a game plan to quit using tobacco and then are provided counseling sessions to provide regular support during the quitting process along with free Nicotine Replacement Therapy, if appropriate. 15 clients enrolled to quit tobacco 69 individual counseling sessions were held Technical Assistance Provided to decision makers at Head Start to help them develop policies that provide access to tobacco cessation services. This includes training that is provided to Head Start staff members to allow them to increase parent s access to tobacco cessation services through the use of a brief intervention. This also provides information to parents to help them establish smoke-free homes for their children. 24 Head Start Managers were trained, enabling them to provide brief intervention to the parents they serve

10 Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc. Chamber Workplace Wellness Initiative 2009 $40,000 The Chamber Workplace Wellness Initiative is designed to help businesses lower costs by improving the health of their employees. This initiative is designed to provide on-site behavioral health services that address three leading causes of morbidity, mortality and workplace absenteeism. Tobacco use, obesity, and stress. Below are further descriptions of these programs. More than 400 employees from both large and small businesses have already participated in the program. 44% of these participants are from Berwick Health and Wellness Fund (BHWF) service area. Tobacco Cessation Group and individual counseling services provided over a period of 8-12 weeks. Participants are provided free nicotine replacement therapies to assist them in the process. Counseling services are provided in accordance with the Center for Disease Control s recommended guidelines. 14 businesses participated 224 units of service provided (includes an individual consultation, a group workshop, a group counseling session, an individual counseling session, or phone intervention) Nutrition and Weight Reduction Group and individual counseling services provided that address exercise, nutritional management, and weight reduction techniques. Employees can enroll in a friendly team competition with other employees and employer groups. 14 businesses participated 449 units of service provided (includes a workshop, an individual consultation, a group counseling session or a wellness packet given) Stress Reduction and Management Group workshops and individual counseling services provided to help or aid an employee to effectively manage and reduce acute and chronic stress. Topics for these programs include: parenting, eldercare, financial management, loss/grief, time management, life transitions, substance abuse, and mental health. 13 businesses participated 320 units of service provided (includes a workshop, an individual consultation or a group counseling session.) A group of employees from Wise Foods, Inc., along with Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc. Counselor, Kelly Ann Pegg, during Tobacco Cessation Counseling. With the help of this grant, our organization has been able to serve many more community members. This program has motivated many people to quit tobacco use, and made it easier for them to make that change. Without this grant, those people would not have been able to afford nicotine replacement therapy or had the support to quit. - Kelly Ann Pegg, Tobacco Cessation Coach

11 Columbia County Family Centers Parenting Support Program 2009 $20,000 The purpose of the Parenting Support Program is to significantly impact substance abuse and other problematic behaviors of youth ages in the Berwick and Benton School Districts. The parenting support program targets families whose children are indicating red flags for antisocial behaviors, which can include drug and alcohol issues, low resistance to peer pressures, school problems and affiliation with antisocial peers, as well as families whose youth are making positive social choices and are substance free. Goals of the Parenting Support Program: To have a trained staff in implementing the Strengthening Families Program for Parents and Youth ages Curriculum. This Blueprint Practice Program is a proven, effective tool in building stronger families and reducing juvenile substance abuse and other delinquent acts. At least 13 registered families in the Berwick School District and 8 registered families in the Benton School District. 60% of enrolled youth and 75% of enrolled parents will complete the course. Parents and adolescents both are given a pre and post assessment to measure outcomes. 6 month and 12 month follow-up surveys will be conducted to show the ability to remain substance free. Because of this grant our staff members are now specialized in issues impacting youth ages This program enables parents to problem-solve the issues their children are facing creating healthy family environments. -Allison Williams, Director

12 McBride Memorial Library Youth Services Coordinator $21,000 & $20,000 The McBride Memorial Library was awarded a grant to expand their youth services program. Youth programs have been added focusing on helping children develop a love of reading, obtain developmental skills, and become familiar with libraries. Families and children are now consistently using the library as a resource for materials, and also for advice from Meghan Evans, the Youth Services Coordinator. Since adding a Youth Services CoordinatorNumber of regularly scheduled programs has increased by 150% 6 Every Child Ready to Read sessions have been added to the schedule After three months of conducting the new youth programs, items borrowed on children s cards increased from 1,585 to 2,006. Number of children served has increased by at least 255% This program helps grow the minds of the children in our community. This grant allows us to provide an extracurricular activity that is focused around education. The parents have someone to talk to while their children experience all of the many books available. -Richard C. Miller, Director of Library Services

13 Nescopeck Area Community Cupboard awarded $10,000 The Nescopeck Area Community Cupboard provides non-perishable food items to families in need each month. These families are those out of work, low income families, single mothers with children, or families struck by illness. Funding from the Berwick Health and Wellness Fund has allowed the organization to purchase fresh produce items for further nourishment to those in need. The volunteers at the Community Cupboard serve an average of 318 families per month. My concern for the community cupboard was that their was no fresh food for families each month, especially for those with young children. This grant has enabled us to provide fresh produce once a month at the community cupboard. -Millie Broody, N.A.C.C. Board Member

14 S.O.A.R Students - Overcome - and - Achieve - through Running 2009 & 2010 $21,800 S.O.A.R. is a youth running program which enables at-risk secondary students to train safely to complete a combination of running events, including a 5-K, 10-K, and the Berwick Run for the Diamonds. This is a non-competitive 24 week program for local students. A group of dedicated adult volunteers serve as running partners and mentors to encourage the participants to reach their personal goals. Target students for this program are considered at-risk for little or no physical exercise after school or who report having limited access to after school activity. Prior to program participation, students undergo a physical assessment. Faculty and students from Bloomsburg University Departments of Nursing and Exercise Science provide pre-running assessment and instruction for students. (This includes body weight, body mass index, and strength and flexibility techniques.) This program is designed to challenge students to experience the benefits of improved health, goal setting, mentorship, and character development. Students benefit from increased confidence and selfesteem as they set goals and experience success.

15 Berwick Area YMCA Senior Water Exercise Program 2007 $9, $10,000, 2009 $10,000 Through this grant the Berwick YMCA is able to offer area seniors a seven-week session of water exercise classes at a reduced fee. Each year over 100 seniors from the BHWF service area are served 86% of participants strongly agreed the program improved their physical health 85% strongly agreed they felt better as a direct result of this program 84% strongly agreed this program helped them to make new friends and improve their social well-being We take the concept of the grant and bring it to reality for senior participants. For many seniors the low-cost of the class is what allows them to participate. The program has shown great results in improvement of personal health. This grant has allowed a tremendous amount of return on investment. -Nicholas Pajovich, CEO