Latest news with #Lochgelly-based
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Regional child care task force gets funding boost
The One Foundation has awarded Phase II of strategic grant funding to expand child care access in Fayette County, building on a growing movement for community-driven solutions to a lingering problem. The funding is critical because affordable, quality child care availability is showing no improvement, proponents say. According to a press release, the next phase of funding is also expected to pave the way for broader impact across neighboring counties in southern West Virginia. The funding will be distributed over the next three years to a regional task force launched in late 2024. The Together We Grow Southern WV Task Force is led by Melissa Colagrosso, owner of Lochgelly-based A Place To Grow Children's Center and founder of Together We Grow. The task force was established to address the growing child care crisis in the region, in which thousands of children are at risk of losing access to essential early learning opportunities, according to a press release. By coalescing community leaders, educators, business owners and residents, the task force's aim is to develop 'long-term, community-based solutions to strengthen the region's child care infrastructure and ensure a brighter future for West Virginia's children,' the release read in part. The initiative is led by Together We Grow, in partnership with national child care consulting firm Child Care Biz Help, with fiscal support provided by the Fayette County Family Resource Network. Organizers extended special thanks to Diane Callison, the FRN executive director, for her leadership in securing funding that paved the way for the initiative. 'Child care is the foundation of a thriving community,' said Colagrosso, the project lead for Together We Grow. 'It enables parents to work, contributes to economic stability and nurtures the next generation. 'Providers are facing serious challenges — such as staffing shortages, limited access and underfunded programs — that require bold, united action. That's what the Together We Grow initiative is all about.' The grant, provided by the Beckley-based One Foundation, which was founded by Marz Attar, will allow the task force to pursue several key goals, including: • Expanding child care access in Fayette and neighboring counties • Engaging local employers as partners in building child care solutions that support working families • Raising public awareness of the critical role early childhood education plays in social and economic outcomes • Strengthening policy and legislative advocacy for child care investment across the state • Building a sustainable infrastructure to deliver lasting improvements to the region's child care system. The press release referred to a recent report by West Virginia Watch that highlighted the absence of a concrete state plan to address the looming child care crisis. To that end, the Together We Grow Southern WV Task Force aims to step in to help fill the void and offer actionable recommendations to local and state policymakers, representatives say. The task force welcomes individuals and organizations committed to addressing the region's child care crisis. Community leaders, employers, educators, human resources professionals and concerned citizens are encouraged to lend their voices, ideas and expertise to the effort. Colagrosso on Thursday said the deficit of affordable child care that is accessible for families is still a major hindrance to success in the region. 'Where's your child care infrastructure?' she asked. 'If you don't have child care, how can people work? 'If we can't get people to work, we can't get businesses to come here.' Figures supplied by Colagrosso indicate that over 150 child care providers in West Virginia have closed since January 2023. New ones of substantial size have not been forthcoming, she pointed out. 'The problem is still the same; the subsidy system is still broken.' That, she said, creates a 'no-win situation.' The One Foundation grant will provide seed money, and outreach will be ongoing to attempt to secure other funding avenues. The task force will share findings and recommendations publicly. To get involved by joining the task force, visit Individuals can also volunteer to assist with outreach to local businesses and community partners. 'Together We Grow' yard signs are available to display, and campaign materials are available to distribute to increase visibility of the issue, according to the release. 'We're really, really working hard to get employers involved,' Colagrosso said. In the most recent legislation session, Colagrosso said, 'We did manage to hold our own,' adding, 'We need West Virginia to prioritize it. It has to become a priority for the State of West Virginia.' Potential cuts to Head Start could worsen the outcomes even more, Colagrosso said. 'Head Start serves child care for working families in a lot of communities,' she said. 'It's going to worsen this crisis in child care. 'We are advocating strongly that our rural communities have to continue with their Head Start programs.' A series of conversations on child care is scheduled for eight locations around the state, beginning with an event May 13 at the Lively Family Amphitheater in Oak Hill. It will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The event will offer 'a chance for everybody in the community' to get involved, said Colagrosso. Other stops will include Lewisburg (Hollowell Park, May 14, 6 to 7:30 p.m.), as well as events in Bridgeport, Morgantown, Wheeling, Barboursville, Scott Depot and Martinsburg.
Scotsman
22-04-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Historic Scottish pier reopens after massive £3m appeal to tackle devastating storm damage
The historic pier will be reopened for the first time since being badly damaged in a storm in November 2023 Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The medieval pier at St Andrews Harbour is set to reopen after major work to repair devastating storm damage. The 14th-century structure has been closed to the public since November 2023. The pier will be brought back into service with a torchlit procession and a historic walk, with access to the public restored from Thursday, May 1. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It comes after a massive fundraising effort to cover the £3 million repair bill for the breach of the seawall, with walkways also re-laid. There is still work to be done on less visible parts of the pier, but its re-opening is seen as a milestone for the town. The historic harbour suffered significant storm damage. Picture: Fife Free Press The main pier will reopen to the public after the annual Gaudie Procession takes place. Organised by the Kate Kennedy Club, it commemorates John Honey, a University of St Andrews student who rescued members of the crew of the vessel Janet of Macduff in 1800. Every year, students, led by a piper, process by candlelight to the East Sands where they lay a wreath at the site of the shipwreck. After processing from Younger Hall on North Street in St Andrews, the public are welcome to view the spectacle on the pier from around 7.30pm. Ken Sweeney, chairman of St Andrews Harbour Trust, said: 'Reopening the pier in time for the Gaudie Procession feels especially meaningful. This beloved and iconic tradition, where students and townspeople gather as night falls, has long symbolised the close bond between town and gown. To have it [the pier] ready for this celebration adds a powerful layer of significance to the occasion. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The reopening also marks a significant milestone for us and the wider community. The progress made since the storm damage occurred has been nothing short of remarkable.' The bulk of the repairs to date have been funded by a £360,000 grant from the Scottish Government Marine Directorate, as well as donations from several trusts and foundations, with nearly £20,000 coming from the university's students and alumni. Works were carried out by Lochgelly-based Realm Construction, part of the Purvis Group. However, the work is far from complete. Major engineering repairs to restore the pier's connection to the cliffs remain unfunded and will need an extra £2m. With major grant applications underway, it is thought that a funding gap of around £500,000 will remain. Mr Sweeney said: 'Essential repairs to the structure, especially to less visible, but equally critical areas, are still needed. So we are appealing to the public, individuals and businesses alike, to help bridge the remaining funding gap. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Their generosity to date has been extraordinary and, with continued support, we can finish what we've started and preserve this cherished landmark for years to come.' Donations can be made at The reopening of the pier in time for the historic torchlit procession was also welcomed b y students. Guy Nichols, Gaudie convenor, said: 'The Gaudie is an incredibly important date in the Kate Kennedy Club and wider student calendar and we are absolutely thrilled that our event will return to its former glory with the pier reopening. 'The pier and harbour area generally are so important to the student community, and it's fantastic to see the repairs progressing to this point. However, if pier walks are to continue for generations, we need to ensure that this beautiful part of Scotland remains protected from further storm damage, so we'll be doing all we can to encourage more donations to the repair fund as the year goes on.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Over the past year, the trust has received considerable funding from local organisations and trusts, including Iona Stephen, Charities Aid Foundation, The Hamish Foundation, Lodge St Andrews No 25 and St Andrews Ball. With £2m required to repair the north-west slip and pier landfall, a total of £18,700 was generated through online fundraising pages. An additional £15,000 was donated by St Andrews Pilgrim Foundation with £10,000 coming from The Kinburn Charitable Trust, St Andrews Heritage Fund and St Andrews Community Trust respectively.
The National
22-04-2025
- General
- The National
Historic Scottish pier to reopen after storm with torchlit procession
During the storms of November 2023, the 14th century structure at St Andrews Harbour suffered substantial damage to the tune of £3 million, sparking a major fundraising drive and months of repairs to the harbour area, which remain ongoing. With the seawall breach now restored and the walkways relaid, the main pier will reopen to the public from the morning of Thursday, May 1, following the annual Gaudie Procession the evening before. The torchlit procession and pier walk, organised by the Kate Kennedy Club, commemorates John Honey, a student who rescued members of the crew of the vessel Janet of Macduff in 1800. READ MORE: Donald Trump reveals when he expects to visit Scotland Every year, students, led by a piper, process by candlelight to the East Sands where they lay a wreath at the site of the shipwreck. After processing from Younger Hall, North Street, St Andrews, the public are welcome to view the spectacle on the pier from around 7.30pm. The bulk of the repairs to date have been funded by a £360,000 grant from the Scottish Government Marine Directorate, allowing the seawall breach to be restored and the walkways to be relaid. Works were carried out by Lochgelly-based Realm Construction, part of the Purvis Group. Donations have also been provided by several trusts and foundations, with nearly £20,000 donated by the University of St Andrews student community (students and alumni). Major engineering repairs to restore the pier's connection to the cliffs remain unfunded, requiring approximately £2m. With major grant applications underway, it is thought that a funding gap of around £500,000 will remain. Ken Sweeney, chairman of St Andrews Harbour Trust said: 'After more than 16 months of closure, the reopening of the pier marks a significant milestone for both St Andrews Harbour Trust and the wider community. The progress made since the storm damage occurred has been nothing short of remarkable. 'Special recognition goes to Realm Construction, whose tradesmen have worked tirelessly, in all weathers and challenging conditions, to bring the pier back to life. Reopening the pier in time for the Gaudie Procession feels especially meaningful. "This beloved and iconic tradition, where students and townspeople gather as night falls, has long symbolised the close bond between town and gown. To have the pier ready for this celebration adds a powerful layer of significance to the occasion. 'However, our work is far from finished. Essential repairs to the structure, especially to less visible but equally critical areas, are still needed, so we are appealing to the public, individuals and businesses alike, to help bridge the remaining £500,000 funding gap. Their generosity to date has been extraordinary, and with continued support, we can finish what we've started and preserve this cherished landmark for years to come.'
