Causes: Education

Mission: Enrich education of k-12 students with special needs

Programs: Purchased a new motorized wheelchair, customized for a graduating senior at clairview school, a public school serving students with special needs from throughout westmoreland county, pa. The chair enabled the young man, who has been rehabilitating from a traumatic brain injury, to move freely about the school building, to transport himself from his home to his grandparents house nearby, and to secure employment following graduation.

ongoing activities related to homeless students and the pa homeless childrens initiative were funded. Major expenditures were for bridges out of poverty workshops, which were open to the public, as well as grants to three local homeless shelters offering aid and comfort to homeless youth and their families.

ongoing support of a horseback riding therapy program for 3-to-5-year-old early intervention (ei) students on the autism spectrum. Costs for weekly sessions at therapeutic riding center and transportation. Substantial gains evidenced in physical, verbal, social and academic skills. Involvement of at least 16 students, changing annually as the children progress out of ei and move into district classrooms.

expenses also went for miscellaneous activities and supplies for a behavioral health program; countywide special education picnic; pre-school programs; and for numerous programs, activities, and equipment at clairview school, including but not exclusive to red ribbon week events, school dances, playground improvements, chorus, and various other educational and social enhancement projects to benefit over 200 students with special needs.

additional funding went to a music program at clairview school that had been initiated by a prior grant from the foundation. Funds went toward the purchase of choir robes for performances by the choral group, and for a new sound system that will be used by the musical group as well as for other programs and functions at the school.

annual mini-grants of up to $1000 awarded to seven special education professionals to implement a variety of innovative projects/curriculum in their classrooms. Directly affected over 900 students in six different schools, with indirect impact on several hundred more.