COVID-19 COMMUNITY RESPONSE FUND

Grant Recipients So Far

• “This grant supports the LGBT Center of Central PA in continuing to provide vital services to our LGBTQ+ communities through virtual social support groups during this isolating and uncertain time. Thank you so much for your generosity!”

  
  Amanda L. Arbour, Executive Director, LGBT Center of Central PA

• “As we’ve served record numbers of people during the COVID-19 crisis, this special funding opportunity is needed more than ever! Our team at The Salvation Army Harrisburg greatly appreciates TFEC and their partnership with us year-round – for access to funding, training and other community resources that enable and equip us to respond to community needs during a crisis and beyond. Thank you!”

  
  Kathy Anderson-Martin, Director of Resource Development, The Salvation Army Harrisburg Capital City Region

• “COVID-19 has presented unprecedented challenges as we continue to work with vulnerable children to help them find safe, loving homes. This gift from COVID-19 Community Response Fund will support our efforts to help children find their forever homes, even during this time of social distancing.”

  
  Kimberly Deiter James, MSW, LSW Director of Permanency Services, Capital Region Diakon Adoption and Foster Care

• “On behalf of the entire Messiah Lifeways community, thank you to everyone who has generously supported the COVID-19 Community Response Fund through The Foundation for Enhancing Communities. The grant monies awarded to Messiah Lifeways will be used to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) – specifically, face masks – for the nurses, aides, dining, and other direct care team members who care for residents each and every day. These team members are on the front lines of the battle against COVID-19, valiantly doing all they can to keep residents in the skilled nursing and personal care neighborhoods safe and protected. We are very grateful for the support of our mission and our team members during this challenging time.”

  
  Curt Stutzman, President & CEO Messiah Lifeways

• We are very grateful to have the additional support of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities in partnership with the United Way of the Capital Region in our on-going effort to protect the health and well-being of those who live and work at Frey Village. Nothing is more important. We are a family.

  
  Julie Craft, Frey Village Executive Director Diakon

• “As the COVID-19 virus continues to cause fear and uncertainty in our community, we want our community to know that New Hope Ministries is open and safely serving people who need food assistance, emergency housing assistance, or a helping hand to get back to work. We are committed to our mission of helping our neighbors, especially in times of a crisis like this, and are so grateful to The Foundation for Enhancing Communities for their help to make sure everyone can get the help they need.”

  
  Eric Saunders, Executive Director New Hope Ministries

• “On behalf of the Fair Housing Council of the Capital Region board and staff, I thank The Foundation for Enhancing Communities foundation and the United Way of the Capital Region for the generous grant our organization was recently awarded.  The grant has allowed us to install the equipment needed for a safe re-opening, while also maintaining program services funds and resources that benefit the community.
  Thanks to TFEC and the United Way, the Fair Housing Council will again be open, fully operational and available to serve the residents of our Capital Region! Our staff is grateful for your commitment to the organizations that serve our communities.”

  
  Shannon M. Carson, Vice Chair Board of Directors and Presiding Officer, Fair Housing Council of the Capital Region

• “As the Pennsylvania State Director for Community Options, when the coronavirus pandemic hit, I was afraid for the people we support. People with disabilities are at greater risk for complications from the virus, and without the support of our direct care staff, many are unable to meet their needs on their own. We couldn’t let our residents be overlooked or abandoned. With the support of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, residents with disabilities in the region are remaining safe, stable, and engaged during the pandemic because we have been able to supply our employees with proper protective equipment, training, and incentive to continue to come to work during one of the most unpredictable times in our history.”

  
  Lacie Parker, Pennsylvania State Director, Community Options, Inc.

• “Recovery is a challenge under ordinary circumstances.  In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the thousands of Pennsylvanians who are active or recovering drug users are facing an unprecedented challenge.  While the coronavirus is a threat to all vulnerable populations, it poses particularly grave risks to people with substance use disorders and the front-line providers who seek to engage and serve them. To help protect and safeguard our clients and staff, Gaudenzia wishes to acknowledge the generous grant from the COVID-19 Community Response fund, a fund of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities in partnership with the United Way of the Capital Region. The funds will be used to purchase emergency supplies such as gloves, masks, hand sanitizers, deep cleaning supplies and thermometers to maintain the health of our inpatient and outpatient clients.  In addition, the single-parent families served by Gaudenzia’s DELTA Community Program in Harrisburg will appreciate essential supplies to sustain them during the virus outbreak.”

  
  Jim, Ingolio, Community Engagement Manager, Central Pennsylvania, Gaudenzia, Inc.

• “We, at Lebanon Valley College, are so very grateful to receive The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC) grant. COVID-19 has presented our students with many challenges. With approximately 97% of our undergraduate students requiring and receiving financial aid, the impact of the pandemic has been significant. The TFEC grant will provide necessary assistance to meet these challenges. We are thankful for the support that The Foundation for Enhancing Communities has provided to Lebanon Valley College and our students. Thank you!”

  
  Kim Sassaman, Major Gifts Officer, Lebanon Valley College

• “Camp Hebron is grateful to be a grant recipient in the amount of $2,500.00 from The Foundation for Enhancing Communities in partnership with the United Way of the Capital Region. Because of this contribution, Camp Hebron will be COVID-19 prepared for the summer season. Because of this generous donation, Plexiglas, masks, hand sanitizer stations and disinfectant supplies were purchased to ensure the safety of our campers and guests.” It’s been a financially challenging year for camp and this donation alleviates some of the burden of purchasing the extra PPE needed during this crucial time. Thank you again for your support.”

  
  Tammy Briggs, Communications Director, Camp Hebron

• “We are thankful that TFEC has continued to respond to the needs of our community, even as they are rapidly changing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Their understanding that additional funding is what so many nonprofits currently need the most, and their willingness to jump into action to help provide that, is a true testament to their mission of strengthening the community by investing in them now and for future generations.”

  
  Kait Gillis-Hanna, Executive Director, Brethren Housing Association

• “Funding from programs like this are helping us provide life-sustaining medications to those who have lost jobs and health insurance during COVID. The patients we serve are uninsured and living at 200% or less of the federal poverty level. Helping a diabetic stay out of the local Emergency Dept because they can’t afford insulin is one small example to how supporting free clinics like ours helps the wider healthcare community. Since the beginning of 2020 we have provided over 2,700 free medications to our patients year-to-date. Your support makes a difference in the lives of others.”

  
  Debra L. McClain, Executive Director, Beacon Clinic for Health and Hope

• Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania is grateful to The Foundation for Enhancing Communities for rallying the greater Capital Region and creating the COVID-19 Community Response Fund. Girl Scouts, like so many other nonprofits, has better been able to pivot and continue to serve girls and youth in the community with the quick collaboration The Foundation for Enhancing Communities is uniquely poised to do. Through these uncertain times, Central Pennsylvania will prevail together.

  
  Janet Donovan, President and CEO, Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania

• “With revenues down nearly 75%, we greatly appreciate the assistance provided by TFEC and the United Way.  As a not-for-profit ourselves, we depend on our movie theater operations to be able to pay for our mortgage and fixed costs.  Despite operating on a skeleton staff, we are still unable to break even and these funds help to fill that gap.”

  Nathan Troutman, Board Member, Twin Valley Players

• “The challenges of Covid-19 have impacted so many and have brought significant difficulties to non-profits trying to do good work in their communities. Grants from organizations like The Foundation for Enhancing Communities have made it possible for many organizations to continue their work. We want to thank everyone that has supported them in their work! We have surely benefitted from the faithful support of TFEC and others in our community and beyond.”

  
  Deke Rider, Executive Director, Camp Hebron