2009 Grant Recipients

2009 GRANT RECIPIENTS


A total of $200,000 in grants were awarded by Operation Our Town during the 2009 grant cycles for the following proven prevention and treatment programs:

Altoona Area School District: Little All Stars
After-school program for children in Kindergarten through 2nd grade held at Juniata, Penn Lincoln, Washington & Jefferson, and Wright Elementary Schools.

Blair County Adult Parole & Probation: A Framework for Breaking Barriers
Video training series to help clients in the criminal justice system identify behaviors that have kept them in the cycle of criminal activity and reduce the rate of repeat offenses.

Blair County Human Services Office/Communities That Care: Family Day
A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children was held on September 28, 2009. Five dinners were hosted in municipalities around Blair County to encourage parents to have frequent family dinners with their kids to prevent them from abusing substances.

Blair County Respiratory Disease Society: Dr. Dad/Dr. Mom Program
Parenting workshops that target at-risk families in Blair County to help enhance fathers’ and mothers’ parenting skills in caring for their infant or toddler.

Calvary United Methodist Church: FEED Program (Food, Encouragement, Exhortation, Discipline)
Once a week meal with a message and additional instruction to aid the individual to meet his or her full potential, including improving attitudes toward education, integrity, moral values, and self-sufficiency.

Central Blair Recreation & Park Commission: Community Swimming Pool Season Pass Program
Will distribute 150 free season swimming pool passes to youth and their families in Altoona to be used at Juniata Memorial Swimming Pool and Prospect Pool.

Central Blair Recreation & Park Commission: Summer Playground Program
Eight week summer playground program offered at Juniata Memorial Playground, Leopold Park, Valley View Park, and Evergreen Manors for children ages 6-12.

City of Altoona: Gateway Project
Program that reduces blight by having volunteers paint exteriors of properties, repair/replace roofs, install/replace siding, replace downspouts and gutters, repair porches and remove accumulated trash.

CONTACT Altoona: Community Helpline serving Blair County
Expansion of CONTACT Altoona’s helpline to assist in the prevention and intervention of drug and alcohol related issues.

Crossroads of the Altoona Area: 12-step Recovery & Clubhouse
Membership program offering a safe haven and 12-step clubhouse for persons who are addicted to drugs and alcohol and are working on their personal recovery program.

Duncansville National Night Out Against Crime
This event is celebrated nationally and was held on August 4, 2009 at the Antique Depot with the goals of promoting police-community partnerships, crime and delinquency prevention, and neighborhood unity.

Family Resource Center: Parents as Teachers & Katy’s Kids Med Safety
Parent education and family support program serving families with children prenatal to age five that will also teach medication safety to children and involve parent participation for medication safety in the home.

Family Services, Inc.: SWOOP (Street Wise Outreach Opportunity Program)
Program that conducts outreach efforts and provides support services to at-risk teens through street, community, school, and internet outreach activities.

Gloria Gates Memorial Foundation: After-school Program
After-school programs held at Evergreen Manors and Fairview Hills that provide academic, emotional, and social attention and guidance to at-risk children ages 5-12.

Home Nursing Agency Community Services: Nurse-Family Partnership
Evidence-based community health program that pairs vulnerable first-time mothers with a registered nurse home visitor to receive ongoing support and guidance throughout their pregnancy until the child reaches age 2.

IDA Community Development Corporation: Evergreen Manors Supportive Services
Assists families in need and provides opportunities to residents to participate in classes, events, workshops, and presentations.

NAACP: Booker T. Washington Community Revitalization Project
Construction of a park located at 13th Avenue and 19th Street in Altoona that will consist of new playground equipment and a pavilion.

Teen Link Connection/Child Advocates of Blair County: All Stars Booster
Evidence-based program for at-risk junior high girls designed to prevent and delay the onset of high-risk behaviors such as drug-use, violence, and premature sexual activity.

Olivet Baptist Church: The Door
After-school program held year-round for at-risk teens in junior and senior high school that provides a safe, home-like environment for kids after school.

The Nehemiah Project: Lower Fairview Community Park
Construction of a playground located near the Nehemiah Project to work in conjunction with the after-school and summer reading programs.

The ROCK: After-School Program
After-school program for children in Kindergarten through 12th grade held at the 2nd Avenue United Methodist Church.

Williamsburg Borough: Summer Recreation Program at Riverside Park
Day camp that is held for 8 weeks during the summer for at-risk children ages 5-10 that includes an educational component and physical activities.

Get Involved

You can help take back our neighborhoods by volunteering or financially supporting the work of Operation Our Town.

693-3020