2008 Grant Recipients

2008 GRANT RECIPIENTS


A total of $200,000 in grants were awarded by Operation Our Town during the 2008 grant cycles for the following proven prevention and treatment programs:

Big Brothers Big Sisters: Community and School-Based Mentoring
Provides activities and mentoring to children who are on the waiting list for a big brother or big sister and enhances the youth’s educational and social skills.

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 Countians for Drug-Free Communities/Blair County Youth League: Blair County Youth Leadership Camp
A four-day camp at Shaver’s Creek for youth ages 10-17 that will include therapeutic recreational activities, high/low ropes, canoeing, caving, team building, meal preparation, environmental and animal education.

Blair Countians for Drug Free Communities/Blair County Youth League: Alternative Activities
One activity in each of the eight school districts in Blair County, such as miniature golf, batting cages, bowling, roller-skating, Curve games and Penn State ice hockey games.

Blair County Prison: Gang Intelligence Program
Color printer to print photos of identified gang members and their tattoos to assist local law enforcement and government agencies with investigations.

City of Altoona: Gateway Project
Paint exteriors of properties, repair/replace roofs, install/replace siding, replace downspouts and gutters, repair porches and remove accumulated trash.

Family Intervention Crisis Services: Blair County Delinquency Prevention & Reduction Project
New therapist position to work with families in Blair County using the Functional Family Therapy model that will target risk and protective factors unique to each family.

Family Resource Center:  Parents as Teachers Program
Parent education and family support program serving families with children from birth to age 5 that provides personal visits, parent group meetings, screenings, and resource network.

Family Services Inc.: SWOOP (Street Wise Outreach Opportunity Program)
Provide information and outreach to Blair County teens on issues such as housing options, pregnancy prevention, and dealing with alcoholic or drug-addicted family members, and suicide prevention.

Gloria Gates Memorial Foundation: After-school program
Funding for program supplies and a field trip for enrolled children in the after-school program at Evergreen Manors, which serves at-risk children ages 4-12 and provides a healthy snack, help with homework, and playtime.

Hollidaysburg Area YMCA:  Healthy Community Events
Three community events: Healthy Kids Day, Teen Night, and Community Family Night Out that will bring families together in a safe and fun environment while educating them about drug prevention, community resources, and promoting healthy behaviors.

Nehemiah Project: Lower Fairview Before- and After-School Program
Faith-based organization that will target children ages 6-12 and provide tutoring/homework programs, exercise and nutritious food programs, and group activities and mentoring.

Penn State Altoona & Altoona Public Library: YELL (Youth Empowerment, Living & Learning)
After-school program held at the Altoona Public Library for youth ages 11-14 utilizing Human Development & Family Studies interns from Penn State Altoona to assist youth with homework and serve as mentors.

Salvation Army: The Beacon
Faith-based program that seeks to provide an alternative place for youth ages 12-20 in a safe environment with structured activities, where positive adult role models can build relationships with at-risk youth and encourage them to make beneficial decisions.

Student Assistance Program (SAP): Summer Outreach Program
Five-week summer program that provides healthy community activities to identified at-risk children to build social skills, increase self-esteem and form healthy, age-appropriate peer relationships.

Get Involved

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

693-3020