Community Foundation for the Alleghenies’ Youth Philanthropy Interns awarded $50,000 for projects aimed at strengthening arts for young people, and regional unity. The eight interns are 2018 graduates of local high schools, led by two returning interns from last year who serve as team leaders. They were organized into two groups, each with $25,000 to award.
The “Arts for the Alleghenies” team awarded its entire grant to Cresson Lake Playhouse to construct an outdoor performance facility to house youth programs, as well as utilize as an arts hub.
The “Forging Unity” team awarded its grant to two programs:
- Mary S Biesecker Public Library’s Modern Musketeering ($19,500) to foster unity by encouraging the community to take part in live concerts by local musicians and enjoy outdoor movie nights. Along with community activities, the application proposed a welcoming committee to all new members of Somerset Borough to help create a friendly atmosphere for all newcomers.
- Johnstown Neighborhood Boosters’ Block Parties Exploding ($5,500) to foster unity through the expansion of their neighborhood block parties, which create interaction between neighbors by inviting them to step outside for a day of family fun, food, and entertainment. Specifically, the interns will be funding a way for the parties to be more mobile and easily set up and clean up.
The Youth Philanthropy Internship is an extraordinary opportunity for young people to measurably impact their community and is generously funded by The Heinz Endowments.