Roundtable Members, Partners and Grant Recipients

Operation Our Town’s mission is to facilitate partnerships between community and business to fight drug use and crime in Blair County, PA.  The organizations and business represented here support this mission through donations, in-kind services, roundtable participation, community service and other means.

Roundtable Members

Faith-Based Roundtable

2nd Avenue United Methodist Church
18th Street Community Church
28th Street Church of the Brethren
Agudath Achim Congregation
Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries
Arrow Child and Family Ministries
Bellwood Ministerium
Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church
Calvary United Methodist Church
Champion Life Church
Ecumenical Conference of Greater Altoona
First/Faith United Methodist Churches
Greater Altoona Jewish Federation
Hollidaysburg Church of the Brethren
Hollidaysburg Ministerium
Jaggard Memorial/5th Avenue United Methodist Church
Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church
Pleasant Valley Assembly of God
Pleasant Valley Church of Christ
Providence Presbyterian Church
Salvation Army
St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
Wehnwood United Methodist Church
 
Gang Roundtable

Allied Barton Security Services, Logan Valley Mall
Altoona Area School District
Altoona Housing Authority
Bellwood-Antis School District
Blair County Coroner's Office
Blair County Prison
Blair County Sheriff's Department
Central Blair Recreation and Park Commission
Family Services, Inc. – SWOOP
Federal Correctional Institution
James E. VanZandt Medical Center
Logan Township Police Department
Mount Aloysius College
PA Office of the Attorney General
Pennsylvania State Police
Penn State University 

Housing Roundtable

Altoona Housing Authority
Blair Companies
Blair County Community Action Agency
Blair Redevelopment & Housing Authorities
Central PA Landlord Association
Cherry Grove Housing Associates
City of Altoona Department of Codes & Inspections
City of Altoona Planning & Community Development
Durbin Companies
Greenfield Apartments
Improved Dwellings for Altoona, Inc.
Quad & Triangle Apartments & Townhouses
Roaring Spring Commons
Senator Eichelberger’s Office
Williamsburg Area Improved Dwellings 

Judicial Roundtable (Criminal Justice Advisory Board)

18th Street Community Church
Altoona Police Department
Blair County Court of Common Pleas
Blair County Commissioners
Blair County District Attorney’s Office
Blair County Emergency Services
Blair County Public Defender’s Office
Blair County Sheriff’s Office
Blair County Prison
Blair County Adult Probation & Parole Office
Blair County Juvenile Probation Office
Blair County Cost & Fines Department
Blair County MH/MR/D&A Program Office
Blair County Court Administrator
Blair County Children & Youth Services
Blair County Magisterial District Judge
Family Services, Inc.
PA Board of Probation & Parole
PA Office of the Attorney General
Pennsylvania State Police, Hollidaysburg 

K-12 Education Roundtable

Bellwood-Antis School District
Bishop Guilfoyle High School
Claysburg School District
Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center
Hollidaysburg School District
Spring Cove School District
Tyrone School District
Williamsburg School District 

Law Enforcement Roundtable

Allegheny Township Police Department
Altoona Area School District Police Department
Altoona Police Department
Altoona Regional Health System Police Department
Bellwood Borough Police Department
Blair County 911 Center
Blair County Coroner's Office
Blair County District Attorney’s Office
Blair County Drug Task Force
Blair County Prison
Blair County Sheriff’s Department
Blair Township Police Department
Duncansville Police Department
Freedom Township Police Department
Greenfield Township Police Department
Hollidaysburg Borough Police Department
Logan Township Police Department
Martinsburg Police Department
North Woodbury Township Police Department
PA Office of the Attorney General
Penn State Altoona Campus Police Department
Pennsylvania State Police, Hollidaysburg
Roaring Spring Police Department
Tyrone Borough Police Department
VA Hospital Police Department/ABLE
Williamsburg Police Department 

Marketing Roundtable

Blair Medical Associates
DiAndrea Media
Keller Engineers
Norfolk Southern Corporation
Reliance Bank
Sheetz, Inc.
Snap Fitness

Pharmacy Roundtable

Altoona Police Department
Blair County Coroner's Office
Blair County District Attorney's Office
Blair County Drug & Alcohol Office
Blair County Sheriff's Department
Dick’s Pharmacy
Duncansville Pharmacy
James E. van Zandt VAMC Pharmacy
Kopp Drug
Mountain City Home Pharmacy
Nason Hospital Pharmacy
PA Office of the Attorney General
Rite-Aid Pharmacy
Thompson Pharmacy
York Technical Institute, LLC

Retail Roundtable

Hollidaysburg Community Partnership
JCPenney
Kohl’s
Lasser’s Shoe Fly
Logan Valley Mall
Martin’s Food Market
McIntyre’s Candies
Olive Garden
PA Office of the Attorney General
Shields Trophy
Target
Top Hat Cleaners
Wal-Mart

Volunteer Roundtable

Big Brothers Big Sisters
Blair County Commissioner’s Office
Blair County Respiratory Disease Society
Child Advocates of Blair County/Blair County Head Start
Empowered Business Solutions
Evergreen Manors/Gloria Gates Memorial Foundation
Penn State University
The Nehemiah Project

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Partnerships

Partnerships with the following entities are key to the success of Operation Our Town. 

Altoona Curve
Altoona Mirror
Altoona Rotary
Amtran
Applied Science & Technology
Blair Countians for Drug Free Communities
Blair County Chamber of Commerce
Blair County Crime Solvers
Blair County Criminal Justice Advisory Board (CJAB)
Blair County Drug & Alcohol
Blair County Health & Welfare Council
Blair County NAACP
Fox 8/ABC 23
Hollidaysburg Community Partnership
Lamar Advertising
L.A.W. Publications
Mainline National Bank
Neighborhood Watch Group
New Look Uniform Shop, Inc.
PA Attorney General Tom Corbett
PA Gang Investigators Association
Penn State Altoona
United Way of Blair County
U.S. Congressman Bill Shuster
U.S. Senator Arlen Specter
WJAC-TV
WTAJ-TV

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2007 Grant Recipients

Blair County Courthouse – Funded the purchase of Basic Rate Interface connection lines for one year for a video conferencing system to be used for hearings through the State Prisons, out of state prisons, courtroom, Domestic Relations, and Adult Parole offices.

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.

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

Tyrone Police Department - Funded the purchase of a dog that will be cross-trained in narcotics detection and patrol to combat drug activity in the Borough of Tyrone and throughout Blair County through the Blair County Drug Task Force.

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2008 Grant Recipients

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.

Blair County Sheriff’s Department: Ballistic vests
Funded two bullet-proof vests for the Deputies on the Warrant Team.

Blair Senior Services: Neighborhood Watch Program
Funded the purchase of a projector, laptop, tripod screen, 12 monthly mailings, 100 Crime Watch signs, and 1 training/information brochures.

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.

The Second Mile: Friends – Blair Region
Early intervention program that pairs Penn State Altoona college students with K-6th grade students in need of additional support and positive role models that attend scheduled Friend activities such as swimming, bowling, picnics, and holiday parties.

Victim Witness Coordinator/Office of the District Attorney: SAVIN Program
Funded the SAVIN Network in Blair County for one year, which is an automated system of notifying victims of crime and law enforcement officers prosecuting crime, the status of a defendant while incarcerated in the county prison.

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2009 Grant Recipients

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.

Central PA Humane Society: Humane Officer Department
Funded the purchase of two ballistic vests and two two-way radios for the CPHS Animal Control Department to assist local law enforcement into gaining and clearing entry into homes that may contain animals.

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.

Freedom Township Police Department
Funded the purchase of a portable inkless fingerprinting system.

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.

Pennsylvania Gang Investigators Association
Funded the purchase of a computer, printer, and LCD projector to be used at trainings and presentations regarding gangs and gang-related activities.

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.
 

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