O-R announces grants to help Washington County homeless
More than $18,000 will be distributed to nonprofit agencies in Washington County that provide services to the homeless or those at risk of becoming homeless as part of the Observer-Reporter’s “No Place to Call Home” yearlong series.
Launched last year, the series was intended to bring awareness of homelessness in Washington and Greene counties. As part of the series, the newspaper coordinated a fundraising initiative, generating more than $23,000.
The newspaper established charitable funds at the Washington County Community Foundation and the Community Foundation of Greene County. Donations totaling $18,183 were received in Washington County, and $5,402 was contributed in Greene County. A committee composed of members of the newspaper series project team reviewed Washington County proposals last month. Greene County grants will be announced later this month.
Grants will be distributed to the following Washington County agencies:
• City Mission, which will receive $8,683 on behalf of WeCare Street Outreach, a medical street outreach program operated by volunteers under the auspices of the mission, to employ a part-time case manager who will assist homeless individuals obtain social services.
• Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania, which will receive $4,000 to offset the cost of a recently purchased van used to transport clients.
• The Mental Health Association of Washington County, which will receive $3,000 for a community kitchen at the Circle Center on North Main Street, Washington, to augment existing meal opportunities at the drop-in center, whose members include those with mental health issues.
• City Mission, which will receive $2,500 to provide vouchers to the homeless for the purchase of clothing and goods from the mission’s Hidden Treasures resale stores.
In addition to receiving donations from individuals and businesses, the Observer-Reporter held several fundraisers, including a purse auction in October that generated more than $10,000.
A new initiative about Alzheimer’s and dementia will be announced at the end of March.