(YORK, PA, March 18) – The York County Community Foundation (YCCF) is pleased to award three grants to two local agencies to help improve the health and well-being of York County residents, including homeless youth.
- $40,000 from the YCCF Agriculture & Land Preservation Program Fund to the York County Planning Commission for Pilot Partnership to Advance Agricultural Outreach and Best Management Practices (BMP) Implementation in the Codorus Watershed.
- $17,500 from the YCCF Codorus Watershed Program Fund to the York County Planning Commission for Pilot Partnership to Advance Agricultural Outreach and Best Management Practices (BMP) Implementation in the Codorus Watershed.
- $15,000 from the Doris E. Schwartz Education Fund of YCCF to Cornerstone Youth Home to support Teacher Leadership, comprehensive restorative practice training for teachers providing intensive academic support for homeless K to 12 grade students across York County.
Pamela Shellenberger, Chief of Long Range Planning at the York County Planning Commission (YCPC) said the first two grants will allow YCPC to hire a consultant who will meet one-on-one with local landowners to improve best management practices. “The aim is to reduce 4 million lbs. of nitrogen in York County’s waterways to meet our state’s Chesapeake Bay pollution reduction goals by 2025,” added Shellenberger.
Lise Levin, Vice President for Community Investment at YCCF said, “It’s been exciting working with the Planning Commission on this innovative approach to nutrient management. Our hope is that this pilot program will demonstrate that what’s good for our Codorus Watershed is good for local farmers, as well, and will lead to new ways of working in our community.”
The second grant goes to Cornerstone Youth Home’s “Teaching the WHOLE Student initiative.” The grant will be used to train certified teachers who will learn the social science of restorative practices and integrate services to best serve the families in need. Sara Lyn Gray-Bradley, Executive Director of Cornerstone Youth Home shared “This grant will help build healthy communities, repair harm, and restore relationships in times of crisis.”
With over 1,385 York County students identified as homeless each year, Gray-Bradley says she hopes to create a safe space for children and allow them to focus on their education while their parents focus on securing employment and housing.
YCCF is proud to steward donor funds that benefit our community and help make York County a great place to work and thrive.
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York County Community Foundation creates a vibrant York County by engaging donors, providing community leadership, and investing in high-impact initiatives while building endowment for future generations. York County Community Foundation holds more than 600 endowed funds and assists donors and nonprofits in reaching their charitable goals. The Community Foundation granted $6.9 million in 2020 throughout York County and beyond, and stewards approximately $178 million in assets.
