MCCC Receives Two Grants from Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation
Jan. 14, 2008, Pottstown, Pa.—Montgomery County Community College has been awarded two grants by the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation, totaling more than $34,000.
The first grant, in the amount of $25,370, will be used to develop a program titled “Service Learning to Build Capacity of Community-Based Non-Profit Organizations.” Through this program, the College will collaborate with the Tri-County Community Network and the United Way to identify five local non-profit organizations that will benefit from college service learning interns.
Interns will be recruited by the College’s faculty and staff from students enrolled in social science courses, such as human services, sociology and psychology. Prospective interns will go through an application and interview process, and once placed, are expected to work at their assigned non-profit agency between 11-22 hours per week.
“The goals of the project are to support the infrastructure of area non-profit organizations and to better prepare future leaders for area non-profit organizations,” said Dr. R. Dean Foster, Vice President and West Campus Administrative Officer. “The students in the program will not only progress as future managers in area non-profit organizations, but they will assist their respective agencies now in meeting their organizational goals and better serving their clientele.
The second grant, in the amount of $8,762, will enable the College to provide a “Dental Sealant Day” for Pottstown area children. Through this project, the College’s Dental Hygiene Program will collaborate with the Pottstown Area Health Center to provide 25 children ages 6-14 with sealants, fluoride varnish and ToothPrint IDs during a half-day program this spring. The children will also be screened for other dental problems and will receive homecare education.
“Not only does this program allow the College to extend its reach into the community to provide dental care to children who may not otherwise be able to afford it, but it provides our Dental Hygiene students with a community outreach experience that will better enable them to serve children after graduation,” said Jenny Sheaffer, Director of the College’s Dental Hygiene Program. “A 2005 Health Assessment of the Pottstown Area indicated that residents below the 200 percent poverty level were unlikely to seek health and dental care because of the cost. This program will remove the cost barriers for children who are in need of dental services and education.”
The Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation enhances the health and wellness of area residents, providing education, funding and programs that motivate people to adopt healthy lifestyles. The Foundation was formed in July 2003 with the proceeds obtained from the sale of the Pottstown Memorial Medical Center. Non-profits interested in learning more about the Foundation’s grants programs and application process should visit the website at www.pottstownfoundation.org.
