Success Stories

03 Oct Catalyst Academy Charter School Receives $1.4 Grant from the U.S. Department of Education

Catalyst Academy Charter School recently received a grant for $1,491,957 from the U.S. Department of Education Expanding Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Program (CSP)-Grants to Charter School Developers for the Opening of New Charter Schools Grant to open a K-8 charter school in East Liberty, beginning with kindergarten and first grade in the 2019-2020 school year. This charter school intends to serve primarily children from underserved, majority African-American neighborhoods in Pittsburgh’s East End. Catalyst Academy Charter School will utilize funding from the Charter School Program Developer Fund to create a world-class K-8 school that prepares all students effectively for college, career, and life. This holistic approach to our scholars’ development will equip them with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to be a catalyst for positive change for themselves, and in their families and communities. Specifically, Catalyst will focus on academic rigor, innovation and personalization, and holistic scholar development, through high expectations, strong relationships, and quality teaching.

02 Oct KidsTLC Receives $4,500 Grant from Royals Charities

KidsTLC was recently awarded a $4,500 grant from Royals Charities to support a portion of the costs to purchase and install two sensory walls. KidsTLC’s Autism Services program opened in 2013 on the second floor of KidsTLC’s Kelly Family Wellness Center. In late 2017, due to the high demand for services, the program expanded into the first floor of the building. Each floor needs to be equipped with a variety of sensory wall panels to accommodate the needs of our young clients. This project will be ongoing, as the sensory walls will be a permanent fixture. These therapeutic tools will allow youth who have issues with sensory processing to experience fine motor, tactile, and visual inputs and will promote self-reliance.

01 Oct Comprehensive Mental Health Services, Inc. (CMHS) Receives $70,059 Grant from the Health Forward Foundation

Comprehensive Mental Health Services, Inc. (CMHS) recently received a grant for $70,059 from the Health Forward Foundation to support hiring a Medication Assisted Treatment Coordinator.  This individual will enhance CMHS’s capacity to coordinate referrals and appointments, as well as engage in outreach and conduct group education.

30 Sep CCVI Receives $170,000 Grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

The Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired (CCVI) was recently awarded a $170,000 grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to create, pilot and implement a school readiness assessment tool for children with blindness and visual impairment and multiple disabilities.

29 Sep Powell Gardens Receives $2,500 Grant from the U.S. Bank Foundation

Powell Gardens recently received a grant for $2,500 from the U.S. Bank Foundation to support general operating expenses providing meaningful experiences in nature to children and families living in under-served communities.

28 Sep KidsTLC Receives $11,150 Grant from the Johnson County Young Matrons Foundation

KidsTLC recently received a grant for $11,150 from the Johnson County Young Matrons Foundation to support its Therapeutic Recreation and Development program which serves children in the Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) and Sanctuary programs. KidsTLC’s PRTF program’s primary purpose is to treat the effects of complex trauma in children and youth ages 6-18.  Children served in this program are victims of intense traumatic experiences such as abuse, neglect, and/or family disruption and are diagnosed with one or more mental illnesses.  It has become a model for successful treatment state-wide to address the rising number of children struggling with mental health issues.  In addition to the PRTF program, in mid-2015 KidsTLC opened a new residential unit called the Phoenix Sanctuary to provide a more short-term residential option for children.  The program is a 15-bed unit providing short-term, residential crisis stabilization and respite for children and adolescents ages 6–17 who are in crisis. These children are experiencing moderate social, emotional, family, or placement problems.  The services within the Sanctuary are aimed at preventing youth from entering state custody and higher levels of mental health care.  The Phoenix Sanctuary has 24-hour client care, intake support, and psychiatric consultation as needed. The program utilizes the same philosophy of care as for children in long-term care in the PRTF.

27 Sep Powell Gardens Receives $5,000 grant from the Miller Nichols Charitable Foundation

Powell Gardens was recently awarded a $5,000 grant from the Miller Nichols Charitable Foundation to support Plants Matter! curriculum development, outreach to teachers, transportation, and program delivery.

26 Sep Powell Gardens Receives $500 Grant from the Lee’s Summit Rotary

Powell Gardens was recently awarded a $500 grant from the Lee’s Summit Rotary to support the Trails Tales program. The Trail Tales program is a new collaborative effort between Powell Gardens, the Mid-Continent Public Library, and the Rabbit Hole, Kansas City's future children's literature museum and “Explorastorium.” Trail Tales will feature a garden- and nature-themed children's book on interpretative signage throughout our 170+ acres of cultivated and natural areas from September through October of 2019.

22 Sep Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired (CCVI) Receives Grant for $20,000 from the Developmental Disabilities Resource Board of Clay County – Capital Grant Program

Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired (CCVI) recently received a grant for $20,000 from the Developmental Disabilities Resource Board of Clay County – Capital Grant Program to refurbish the changing rooms that serve the therapeutic pool in the Children’s Center Campus. Funding will be used to refurbish the changing rooms to minimize safety concerns, such as changing tables that don’t accommodate larger-size children, poor ventilation, and lockers in a state of disrepair that pose potential safety issues to children and therapists alike.

21 Sep Powell Gardens Receives $10,000 Grant from the American Century Foundation

Powell Gardens recently received a grant for $10,000 from the American Century Foundation to deliver five Family Frolic events and provide free event admission and transportation to 300 parents and children who would likely not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in such an event.