Centre Foundation’s Giving Circle members on Wednesday awarded $15,000 in grants to three local nonprofits.
At their annual reception, members voted to award a $10,000 grant to the ACRES Project (Adults Creating Residential and Employment Solutions). The State College nonprofit works to foster independence, self-advocacy and work/life skills for adults with autism. Its programs are designed by adults with autism for adults with autism.
With the grant, ACRES will increase employment opportunities for adults with autism by providing mentors, networking opportunities, interview training, on-the-job support and more.
ACRES clients Jeffrey Rose and Mary Krupa presented on behalf of the organization and it explained how it helps adults with autism after the age of 21, when limited programs are available.
‘Although the programs go away, your problems do not,” Rose said.
“Imagine having the skills and drive to earn a PhD but lacking the communication or social skills to secure meaningful employment,” Krupa added.
Receiving runner-up grants of $2,5000 each were Discovery Space and the Bellefonte Art Museum.
Discovery Space will use the grant money toward “stEMPOWERed Girls,” an after-school program that teaches fifth-grade girls about careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields. Participants gain hands-on experience by meeting with local female professionals at their places of work.
The Bellefonte Art Museum will use its grant money toward “Art of the Americas,” a four-part exhibition series featuring Native art from the Northwest Coast, Judaica art, pottery by Native Americans of the Southwest and art from the Caribbean.
The Giving Circle was established in 2006 to commemorate Centre Foundation’s 25th anniversary. Since then, members have pooled resources to award $139,000 in grants to Centre County organizations. Giving Circle membership is based on an annual membership donation.
After more than 40 grant proposals were received in June, Giving Circle members ranked and narrowed the list to their top three organizations. The final three made presentations at the reception at Above the Valley in Centre Hall.
Previous recipients of the Giving Circle grant include Hearts for Homeless, Interfaith Human Services, Park Forest Preschool, House of Care, Discovery Space, Housing Transitions, Strawberry Fields, and Centre Helps (formerly known as the Community Help Centre).
More information about the Giving Circle program is available at centre-foundation.org
