Latest news with #CommunityFoundationfortheAlleghenies
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Funding available for Somerset County residents affected by flooding
SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Residents who were impacted by the mid-May flooding may soon be getting some help from a local grant opportunity. The Community Foundation for the Alleghenies (CFA), along with the county, after the flooding, worked to establish the Somerset County Disaster Recovery Fund. This fund was intended to help residents recover from natural disasters like the flooding that was brought on by heavy rain. Applications for the Somerset County Disaster Recovery Fund Grant are now open and will be accepted until Wednesday, June 18. Nonprofit organizations, governmental entities, and religious organizations that are assisting residents with response and recovery may apply for a grant of up to $10,000. Pennsylvania is suing the USDA over cutting funding to a $1 billion food aid program for states Here are some eligibility requirements: Must be a 501(c)(3) organization, governmental entity, or religious organization. Applicants also must be registered and operate in Somerset County and be current on all taxes. Applicants for this first round of funding must be able to demonstrate and document the direct impact of the adverse weather events experienced in Somerset County on May 13-14. The applications will be reviewed by a committee that is made up of residents designated by the commissioners and emergency services. Grants will be awarded based on need and community impact, while prioritizing: Unmet municipal expenses Appliance repair and replacement Direct support for individuals Flood damage repair Food insecurity Medical needs To learn more about the grants and how to apply, go to the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Somerset County commissioners announce disaster recovery fund plan, make $10K donation
SOMERSET, Pa. (WTAJ) — The Somerset County commissioners will rely on an advisory board and eight flood-damaged communities when deciding how to spend money from a new disaster recovery fund, they said Tuesday. The commissioners voted 3-0 Tuesday to formally create the fund, which was announced Friday and will be overseen by the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies (CFA), according to WTAJ media partners at The Tribune Democrat. The board also pledged $10,000 towards the cause, matching an identical donation made by the CFA. The CFA will oversee the fund as it grows and gather grant applications from municipalities and local nonprofits within the eight Somerset County communities that have issued disaster declarations in the week since the May 13 floods. The counties include Garrett, Meyersdale, Rockwood and Salisbury boroughs as well as Elk Lick, Greenville, Larimer and Summit townships. Much of the damage was reported to occur in the area surrounding the Casselman River and several tributaries, including the bridges and low-lying neighborhoods along the corridor. Commissioners Brian Fochtman, Irv Kimmel Jr. and Tokar-Ickes noted that there are ongoing reviews already in place to see what state aid might also be available to help residents and businesses recover from the storm. The county's disaster relief fund is meant to help cover any 'gaps' that might exist after state aid is approved, Tokar-Ickes added. As time goes on, the county's funding needs will likely become clearer. A disaster recovery fund committee of six Somerset County residents will review the funding requests submitted by municipal leaders and issue grant awards accordingly. Kimmel noted that the board lacks any elected officials as they are looking to take 'the politics out of it.' Somerset County officials said their $10,000 pledge is being drawn from the county's hotel tax and Act 13 natural gas revenues, more importantly, not from county tax dollars. Commissioners defended the move after one resident raised questions about the donation while listening to the meeting. Commissioners added that Tuesday's approval will lay the groundwork for a long-term fund that won't only support southern Somerset County's long-term recovery, but will also help address future, unforeseen disasters in the county. Additionally, the county's contracted grant writer, Aspire Grant Solutions, noted it will support the eight communities that issued disaster declarations by donating 30 hours each to help them apply for funds to help solve their unique issues. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Johnstown Symphony Orchestra to present 'Heroes' concert
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A personal understanding of the Holocaust will be felt throughout this musical experience. The Johnstown Symphony Orchestra will present 'Heroes' at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center on the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown campus in Richland Township. The concert is in collaboration with the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies Blanche Beerman Holocaust Education Fund and Hope Springs Eternal: Holocaust Education Project. The project brings together local and regional arts and community organizations, each contributing to fostering an understanding of the tragic time in world history and commemorating the enduring resilience of humanity. The orchestra will perform poignant and inspiring works by Jewish composers whose lives and careers were tragically affected by the Holocaust, including Zikmund Schul, Pavel Haas, Gideon Klein, Franz Schreker, Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Hans Gal and Ilse Weber. The concert also will extend gratitude to World War II veterans for their bravery and sacrifices in a visual display. 'We are grateful to the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra for their interest in this very special concert,' said Mike Kane, president of the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies. 'Mr. and Mrs. Beerman wanted people to remember the Holocaust so that something like it could never happen again. This concert is the culmination of a year-long effort through the Hope Springs Eternal campaign to do just that. 'We all know how the arts can be so impactful in making an impression on people, and we expect this concert will certainly be powerful.' The performance will feature Grammy Award-winning violinist and composer Michelle Barzel Ross, who will appear as a guest soloist. In addition, a 30-member student choir from Forest Hills High School, led by music educator and Johnstown Symphony Chorus member Phil Parlock, will perform. Erin Codey, executive director of the JSO, said the concert will be more than a performance. It will be a moment of collective reflection, remembrance and resilience. 'Through our partnership with the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies and the Hope Springs Eternal Holocaust Education Project, we honor the legacy of those impacted by the Holocaust while uplifting the voices and stories that continue to shape our community's pursuit of justice, healing and hope,' she said. Season leadership sponsors include 1st Summit Bank, AmeriServ Financial, Concurrent Technologies Corp., Somerset Trust Co. and Sposto Interactive. Tickets are $20 and must be purchased in advance online at No tickets will be sold at the door. For more information, call 814-535-6738.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Penn State's Summer Discovery program gets $40,000 grant
ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) – Penn State's Readiness Institute Summer Discovery program is being awarded a $40,000 grant to help keep it up and running. The grant is coming from the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies. According to their website, they work 'to empower individuals to become philanthropists, donors to make meaningful change, and caring citizens to build a legacy around their purpose.' The Summer Discovery program is for high school students entering their senior year. They offer two cohorts, one serving Blair and Bedford County, the other serving Cambria and Somerset County. Each cohort holds 12 students, and it lasts for five weeks. This year, it is from June 23-July 24, Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. A stingray is coming to State College, here's how you can help name it Director of Curriculum Innovation at Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8 Janel Vancas says the program is for students who do not know which career path they want to pursue, and 'exposing students to the different opportunities within their communities that they didn't really know maybe existed.' The facilitators, junior facilitators and students are all paid for the experience. A grant like the one from the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies helps pay the different expenses. 'We wouldn't be able to run this program without the support of this grant,' Vancas said. 'It's extremely beneficial to the students within our community.' The application for students is available until March 31, 2025. New to the program is a junior facilitator position, which is open to juniors and seniors in college, preferably studying education. To apply, visit the Readiness Institute Summer Discovery program's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
